Find HS Code and trade information for kitchen tongs for cooking

Kitchen Tongs

Kitchen tongs are handheld tools used for gripping and lifting food items, primarily during cooking and serving. They function as an extension of the hand, allowing manipulation of hot or difficult-to-handle foods without direct contact.

Material

• Stainless Steel: The most common material, valued for its durability, resistance to rust and corrosion, and ease of cleaning.
• Silicone: Often used as tips or as an outer coating to prevent scratching non-stick cookware and provide a better grip. Heat-resistant silicone is crucial for cooking applications.
• Plastic: Typically used for serving or cold food applications. Heat resistance varies significantly based on the plastic type; lower quality plastics can melt or warp with heat.
• Wood: Less common in modern kitchens due to hygiene concerns and difficulty in cleaning, but still used for specific applications like turning delicate fish.

Purpose

• Cooking: Flipping, turning, and moving food in pans, grills, and ovens.
• Serving: Portioning food onto plates or platters.
• Basting: Applying sauces or marinades to food.
• Plating: Arranging food on plates with precision.

Function

Tongs operate on a lever principle. Two arms, connected by a pivot point, are used to grip an object. Pressure applied to the handles causes the gripping ends to close. Some tongs incorporate spring mechanisms for automatic opening. The shape of the gripping ends determines the type of food they are best suited for.

Usage Scenarios

• Frying: Lifting fried foods from hot oil.
• Grilling: Turning and moving food on a grill.
• Baking: Handling cookies, pastries, or bread.
• Salad Serving: Dispensing salad ingredients.
• Buffets & Catering: Serving food to guests.

Common Types

• Spring-Loaded Tongs: Automatically return to an open position when released, offering ease of use. The most common type for general cooking.
• Locking Tongs: Feature a locking mechanism to keep the gripping ends closed for extended holding or storage. Useful for serving or holding items in place.
• Slotted Tongs: Have openings in the gripping ends to allow liquids to drain, ideal for frying or removing food from boiling water.
• Solid Tongs: Have closed gripping ends for securely holding food items.
• Offset Tongs: Feature angled handles for improved leverage and control, often used for grilling.
• Pastry Tongs: Typically have wider, flatter gripping ends for handling delicate pastries.
• BBQ Tongs: Longer handles for maintaining distance from heat during grilling.
• Salad Tongs: Smaller, often with decorative designs, for serving salads.

Kitchen tongs for cooking fall under articles of cutlery, specifically designed for kitchen use. Several HS codes may be applicable based on the material and specific design.

• 8215995000: This code covers spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar kitchen or tableware, and base metal parts thereof, categorized as 'Other'. This is a broad category and could apply if the tongs are considered similar to sugar tongs or other tableware items. The total tax rate is 35.3%, comprising a 5.3% base tariff, a 0.0% additional tariff, and a 30% additional tariff effective after April 2, 2025.

• 7323930060: This code applies to table, kitchen or other household articles and parts thereof, of iron or steel; iron or steel wool; pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like, of iron or steel, specifically 'Of stainless steel Cooking and kitchen ware: Other: Kitchen ware'. If the tongs are made of stainless steel and are specifically designed for kitchen use, this code is applicable. The total tax rate is 57.0%, consisting of a 2.0% base tariff, a 0.0% additional tariff, and a 30% additional tariff, plus a 25% additional tariff on steel and aluminum products.

• 7323930045: This code also applies to table, kitchen or other household articles and parts thereof, of iron or steel, specifically 'Of stainless steel Cooking and kitchen ware: Other: Cooking ware: Other'. Similar to 7323930060, this code is relevant if the tongs are made of stainless steel and are used for cooking. The total tax rate is 57.0%, consisting of a 2.0% base tariff, a 0.0% additional tariff, and a 30% additional tariff, plus a 25% additional tariff on steel and aluminum products.

Regarding HS codes 7323930060 and 7323930045, please note the 25% additional tariff applicable to steel and aluminum products. It is important to verify the material composition of the tongs to determine the correct tariff application.