HS Code:
This category, classified under HS Code 8201, includes hand tools such as spades, shovels, mattocks, picks, hoes, forks, rakes, axes, bill hooks, secateurs, pruners, scythes, sickles, hay knives, hedge shears, timber wedges, and other tools used in agriculture, horticulture, or forestry, along with their base metal parts. These tools are essential for manual labor in farming, gardening, and forest management, often designed for durability and efficiency in rugged environments. The global trade of these tools reflects the demand for agricultural productivity and sustainable land management practices across developed and developing economies.
Total Trade Volume
USD 2.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database, International Trade Centre (ITC)
USD 1.2 billion
48% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 300 million
12% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 250 million
10% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 150 million
6% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 100 million
4% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local manufacturing)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU Single Market or USMCA)
Shift towards lightweight and ergonomic designs
Increased demand for tools with improved user comfort and efficiency, driving innovation in materials like composite handles and rust-resistant coatings.
2021-2023
Growing organic farming and urban gardening
Rising demand for small-scale, specialized hand tools like pruners and hoes in urban and peri-urban areas, particularly in North America and Europe.
2020-2022
Sustainability in production
Manufacturers adopting eco-friendly practices, such as using recycled metals and sustainable packaging, influencing consumer preferences in developed markets.
2022-2023
The European Union imposed provisional anti-dumping duties ranging from 7.5% to 27.5% on certain hand tools from China to protect local manufacturers from unfairly priced imports.
March 2023
Potential increase in prices for EU consumers and a shift in sourcing to other countries like India or Vietnam.
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has facilitated tariff-free trade of agricultural hand tools, strengthening supply chains within the region.
July 2022
Increased exports from Mexico to the US and Canada, enhancing regional market integration.
Major manufacturers in Germany and the US have launched new lines of hand tools made from recycled materials, targeting environmentally conscious consumers.
September 2023
Likely to drive demand in eco-sensitive markets, though higher production costs may limit adoption in price-sensitive regions.