Import duty on pruning shears from China
Rates checked
Importing pruning shears from China into the US costs about 40.3% in duty and tariffs in total: 2.8% base duty under HTS 8201.50.00.00, a 25% product-specific Section 301 China tariff plus 12.5% under the Section 301 forced-labor trade action.
HTS code for pruning shears
8201.50.00.00
Handtools of the following kinds and base metal parts thereof: spades, shovels, mattocks, picks, hoes, forks and rakes; axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools; secateurs and pruners of any kind; scythes, sickles, hay knives, hedge shears, timber wedges and other tools of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry: Secateurs and similar one-handed pruners and shears (including poultry shears), and parts thereof
Medium confidence
Duty and tariff breakdown
| Line | Rate |
|---|---|
| Base customs dutyHTS 8201.50.00.00 | 2.8% |
| Section 301 — product-specific China tariffheading 9903.88.03 | 25% |
| Section 301 — forced-labor trade actionheading 9903.05.31A Section 301 trade action on countries whose import-ban policies on forced-labor goods the U.S. considers inadequate. It applies to applicable Chinese-origin goods, subject to exemptions. | 12.5% |
| Total estimated duty | 40.3% |
| Merchandise processing fee (MPF)FY2027 per entry, minimum $34.58, maximum $670.86 | 0.3464% |
| Harbor maintenance fee (HMF)ocean freight only | 0.125% |
Rates checked 10 Nov 2026
Worked example
- Per $1,000 of goods: $403.00 in duty and tariffs, plus about $4.71 in MPF and HMF (a small entry pays the MPF minimum instead).
- Per unit at an example $3.00 factory price: $1.21 in duty and tariffs.
Why the code might be different
The code depends on what the product is made of and what it is mainly used for. Pruning shears are usually made of steel blades with plastic or aluminium handles. If customs reads it differently, 8201.60.00.00 (Handtools of the following kinds and base metal parts thereof: spades, shovels, mattocks, picks, hoes, forks and rakes; axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools; secateurs and pruners of any kind; scythes, sickles, hay knives, hedge shears, timber wedges and other tools of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry: Hedge shears, two-handed pruning shears and similar two-handed shears, and parts thereof, 40.3% total) could apply instead. A different material, a different power source or a different main use can move a product to another heading.
Compliance and paperwork
- Prop 65 warning (California) — may applyCalifornia OEHHA
- Country-of-origin label — appliesCBP
What else goes into landed cost
Duty is one line. Freight from the factory to the Amazon warehouse, customs brokerage, inspection, and Amazon's fulfilment and referral fees usually cost more than the duty does.
Duty on pruning shears is about 40.3%, but it's rarely the biggest cost.
A free Cap Engine scan of the Amazon listing adds freight from China, Amazon's FBA and referral fees, ad spend and the cash your first order ties up, so you know whether it actually makes money before you order.
- Landed cost per unit
- Profit after Amazon fees and ads
- Cash needed for the first order
3 free scans · no credit card
Questions about importing pruning shears
What HTS code are pruning shears?
Pruning shears from China usually fall under HTS 8201.50.00.00 (Handtools of the following kinds and base metal parts thereof: spades, shovels, mattocks, picks, hoes, forks and rakes; axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools; secateurs and pruners of any kind; scythes, sickles, hay knives, hedge shears, timber wedges and other tools of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry: Secateurs and similar one-handed pruners and shears (including poultry shears), and parts thereof). The match has medium confidence. If customs reads the product differently, 8201.60.00.00 could apply.
Is there a Section 301 tariff on pruning shears?
Yes. Pruning shears from China pay the 25% product-specific China tariff (heading 9903.88.03) and the 12.5% forced-labor trade action (heading 9903.05.31) under Section 301, on top of the 2.8% base duty, 40.3% in total.
How much duty do I pay on pruning shears from China?
About 40.3% of the goods' value: $403.00 per $1,000 of goods, or $1.21 per unit at a $3.00 factory price. The MPF and HMF customs fees come on top, about 0.4714% together.
What paperwork do pruning shears need?
Usually: Country-of-origin label on the product. Check the compliance section above for what each involves.