Find HS Code and trade information for tea ordering tools

Tea Ordering Tools

Tea ordering tools encompass a range of devices and systems used to facilitate the selection, customization, and preparation of tea, primarily within commercial settings like tea houses, cafes, and restaurants, but increasingly for personal use as well. They aim to improve efficiency, consistency, and customer experience.

Materials

The materials used in tea ordering tools vary greatly depending on the specific tool and its function. Common materials include:

• Stainless Steel: Frequently used for tea infusers, strainers, and brewing components due to its durability, resistance to corrosion, and ease of cleaning.
• Glass: Employed for teapots, cups, and viewing brewing processes. Borosilicate glass is preferred for its thermal shock resistance.
• Plastic: Utilized in components of automated systems, timers, and some infusers. Food-grade plastics are essential.
• Ceramic: Traditional material for teapots and cups, valued for its heat retention and aesthetic qualities.
• Wood: Often found in handles, bases, and decorative elements.
• Electronics: Found in automated tea makers, digital timers, and touch screen ordering systems.

Purpose

The primary purpose of these tools is to streamline the tea ordering and preparation process. This includes:

• Order Management: Allowing customers to easily select tea types, sizes, and customizations.
• Brewing Control: Ensuring consistent water temperature, steeping time, and tea quantity.
• Efficiency: Reducing staff workload and minimizing errors.
• Customization: Enabling customers to personalize their tea experience.
• Automation: Automating the brewing process entirely.

Function

Tea ordering tools function in diverse ways, ranging from simple manual devices to complex automated systems:

• Manual Infusers: Devices like tea balls, baskets, and strainers allow loose-leaf tea to steep directly in hot water.
• Tea Timers: Devices to track steeping time accurately, crucial for optimal flavor extraction. Can be mechanical or digital.
• Electric Kettles with Temperature Control: Allow precise heating of water to the ideal temperature for different tea varieties.
• Automated Tea Makers: Machines that automatically dispense water, steep tea, and sometimes even froth milk.
• Touchscreen Ordering Systems: Used in cafes and tea houses, allowing customers to browse menus, customize orders, and submit them directly to the kitchen.
• Tea Brewing Apps/Software: Digital platforms for managing tea inventory, recipes, and customer orders.
• Smart Tea Infusers: Connected devices that control brewing parameters via a smartphone app.

Usage Scenarios

• Tea Houses & Cafes: Automated systems and touchscreen ordering streamline operations and enhance customer service.
• Restaurants: Tea ordering tools provide a consistent tea experience as part of the overall menu.
• Home Use: Electric kettles, infusers, and timers allow tea enthusiasts to brew tea with precision.
• Offices: Automated tea makers provide convenient access to a variety of tea options.
• Specialty Tea Shops: Tools for sampling, brewing, and educating customers about different tea varieties.

Common Types

• Tea Balls: Spherical mesh containers for loose-leaf tea. Simple and inexpensive.
• Tea Baskets: Larger containers, often with handles, for steeping larger quantities of tea.
• Tea Strainers: Used to remove tea leaves from brewed tea.
• French Presses (for Tea): While primarily used for coffee, can also be used to steep tea, providing a full-bodied brew.
• Electric Tea Kettles: Offer precise temperature control and automatic shut-off features.
• Automated Tea Brewing Machines: Fully automated systems for dispensing water, steeping tea, and sometimes adding milk or sweeteners. Examples include Breville Tea Maker and Philips Smart Tea Maker.
• Digital Tea Timers: Provide accurate steeping time tracking.
• Programmable Tea Makers: Allow users to customize brewing parameters for different tea types.
• Touchscreen Ordering Kiosks: Self-service ordering systems for cafes and tea houses.
• Tea Subscription Boxes with Brewing Tools: Bundled sets containing a variety of teas and associated brewing equipment.

Based on the provided information, classifying “tea ordering tools” requires careful consideration of the tool’s material and specific function. Here’s a breakdown of potentially relevant HS codes:

• 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: Other: Other (including parts). If the “tea ordering tools” are primarily used as serving utensils (e.g., tea spoons, sugar tongs), this HS code may be applicable. The total tax rate is 35.3%.
• 8215994500: 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: Other: Other: Spoons and ladles: Other. If the tools are specifically spoons or ladles used for tea service, this code could be relevant. The total tax rate is 37.5%.
• 8214909000: This code covers other articles of cutlery (for example, hair clippers, butchers' or kitchen cleavers, chopping or mincing knives, paper knives); manicure or pedicure sets and instruments (including nail files); base metal parts thereof: Other: Other (including parts). If the tools are specialized cutlery items not covered elsewhere (e.g., a specialized tea knife for opening tea packaging), this code might apply. The total tax rate is 1.4¢ each + 3.2% + 30.0%.
• 8214906000: This code covers other articles of cutlery (for example, hair clippers, butchers' or kitchen cleavers, chopping or mincing knives, paper knives); manicure or pedicure sets and instruments (including nail files); base metal parts thereof: Other: Cleavers and the like not elsewhere specified or included: Other. If the tools are cleavers or similar cutting instruments used in tea preparation or service, this code could be considered. The total tax rate is 0.2¢ each + 3.1% + 30.0%.

Important Considerations:

The applicable HS code depends heavily on the specific design and function of the “tea ordering tools”. If the tools include parts made of different materials, the classification may become more complex.

Regarding HS code 8214909000 and 8214906000, please note the per-item charge of 1.4¢ each and 0.2¢ each respectively, in addition to the percentage-based tariffs.