Fruit Fork
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3924102000 | 24.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 8215991500 | 0.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3924104000 | 13.4% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6911108010 | 38.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6911108090 | 38.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 8215992600 | 0.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
Product Images
AI Analysis
π Fruit Fork (Portable Cutlery for Fruits & Snacks)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Compliance Strategy
π I. Product Definition & Classification: What is a "Fruit Fork"?
A Fruit Fork is a small, lightweight utensil designed specifically for eating fruits, desserts, or snacks. It typically features:
- A short handle (often ergonomic or decorative)
- 2β3 prongs (sometimes with a spoon-like end for versatility)
- Made from materials like plastic, stainless steel, porcelain, or composite
Key Classification Logic:
- Material determines the HS Code chapter:
- Plastic β Chapter 39 (Plastics)
- Metal/Stainless Steel β Chapter 82 (Cutlery)
- Ceramic/Porcelain β Chapter 69 (Ceramic Products)
- Function confirms it falls under "cutlery" or "tableware" categories
β οΈ Critical Distinction:
- A single-use plastic fork βε½ε ₯ 3924.10.20.00 / 3924.10.40.00
- A metal reusable fork βε½ε ₯ 8215.99.15.00
- A porcelain/ceramic fork βε½ε ₯ 6911.10.80.10 / 6911.10.80.90
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Breakdown (2026 Tariff Authority)
| HS Code | Product Description | Material | Application | Tax Rate (US + China) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3924.10.20.00 |
Plastic tableware (forks, knives, spoons) | Plastic | Disposable or semi-reusable fruit forks | 24.0% (6.5% base + 7.5% Section 301 + 10% IEEPA) |
8215.99.15.00 |
Metal cutlery (forks, knives, spoons), stainless steel | Metal/Stainless Steel | Reusable fruit forks, high-quality dining | 0.4Β’/unit + 14.8% (0.4Β’ + 4.8% base + 10% IEEPA) |
3924.10.40.00 |
Plastic tableware (specifically forks) | Plastic | Single-use or lightweight fruit forks | 13.4% (3.4% base + 10% IEEPA) |
6911.10.80.10 |
Ceramic tableware (forks, plates, bowls) | Porcelain/Ceramic | Elegant fruit forks for dining | 38.3% (20.8% base + 7.5% Section 301 + 10% IEEPA) |
6911.10.80.90 |
Ceramic tableware (miscellaneous) | Ceramic | General ceramic fruit forks | 38.3% (20.8% base + 7.5% Section 301 + 10% IEEPA) |
π Key Insight:
- Plastic forks dominate the disposable market but face Section 301 tariffs (7.5%) if not covered by exceptions.
- Metal forks are exempt from Section 301 (0.0% additional), but subject to a per-unit duty (0.4Β’).
- Ceramic forks are rare for fruits but still classified under Chapter 69, with high base rates (20.8%).
π° III. 2026 Tariff Breakdown (US + China Export)
β
Country of Origin: China (CN)
β
Destination: United States (US)
β
Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (current 2026 tariff rules)
π― 1. 3924.10.20.00 β Plastic Tableware (Forks)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 6.5% (ad valorem) |
| Section 301 Tariff | +7.5% (China-specific) |
| IEEPA Surcharge | +10% (Emergency Economic Powers Act) |
| Total Duty | 24.0% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 24% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No (denied) |
| Legal Path | IEEPA:9903.01.24 β USITC:3924.10.20.00 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Explanation:
- Section 301 (7.5%): U.S. retaliatory tariff on Chinese goods under Trade Act of 1974.
- IEEPA (10%): Special tax on Chinese products due to national security concerns.
- Combined 24%: High cost for plastic forks; no de minimis exemption (under $800).
π― 2. 8215.99.15.00 β Metal Cutlery (Stainless Steel Forks)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 0.4Β’ per unit + 4.8% (ad valorem) |
| Section 301 Tariff | +0.0% (Exempt!) |
| IEEPA Surcharge | +10% |
| Total Duty | 0.4Β’ + 14.8% |
| Calculation | (0.4Β’ Γ Quantity) + (CIF Γ 14.8%) |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No (denied) |
| Legal Path | IEEPA:9903.01.24 β USITC:8215.99.15.00 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Note:
- Metal forks avoid Section 301 (0.0% additional), making them more cost-effective than plastic.
- 0.4Β’/unit is a specific duty (per piece), so high-volume shipments reduce per-unit cost.
π― 3. 3924.10.40.00 β Plastic Forks (Specific)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 3.4% |
| Section 301 Tariff | +0.0% |
| IEEPA Surcharge | +10% |
| Total Duty | 13.4% |
| Calculation | CIF Γ 13.4% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No |
| Legal Path | IEEPA:9903.01.24 β USITC:3924.10.40.00 |
π Insight:
- This code is only for plastic forks (not general tableware).
- 0% Section 301 makes it cheaper than3924.10.20.00(24.0% vs. 13.4%).
π― 4. 6911.10.80.10 & 6911.10.80.90 β Ceramic Forks
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 20.8% |
| Section 301 Tariff | +7.5% |
| IEEPA Surcharge | +10% |
| Total Duty | 38.3% |
| Calculation | CIF Γ 38.3% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No |
| Legal Path | IEEPA:9903.01.24 β USITC:6911.10.80.10/90 |
π Warning:
- Ceramic forks are rare for fruits but still classified here.
- 38.3% total duty is the highest rate in this list; avoid unless necessary.
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance Action Plan (Step-by-Step)
β 1. Required Documentation (Must-Haves)
| Document | Required? | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Product Spec Sheet | βοΈ | Material, dimensions, prong count, usage |
| Material Certificate | βοΈ | Plastic, metal, ceramic proof |
| Photos (Label/Design) | βοΈ | Show fork type (plastic/metal/ceramic) |
| Third-Party Test Report | βοΈ | FDA, LFGB, or Food Contact Safety |
| Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Clearly state "Fruit Fork" + HS Code |
| Packing List | βοΈ | Quantities per HS Code (avoid mix-up) |
| Certificate of Origin (CO) | βοΈ | For non-China origins (e.g., Vietnam) |
β 2. Declaration Tips (Key Rules)
π₯ Golden Rule: "Material First, Function Second, HS Code Third!"
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Mistake β Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic fruit fork | 3924.10.40.00 |
β Use 3924.10.20.00 β 24% tax vs. 13.4% |
| Stainless steel fork | 8215.99.15.00 |
β Use plastic code β Wrong tax + penalty |
| Ceramic fork | 6911.10.80.10 |
β Use 3924 β 38.3% vs. 24% |
| Mixed materials | Split declaration | β Bundle all β Audit risk + 38.3% on entire shipment |
β 3. Special Cases & Solutions
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| OEM Custom Forks | Provide client contract + design drawings |
| Forks with Handles (Plastic + Metal) | Declare as metal (8215.99.15.00) |
| Disposable vs. Reusable | Reusable β Metal; Disposable β Plastic |
| Forks for Medical Use | May qualify for exemption if certified |
| Forks for Military/Space | Apply for specialη¨ι declaration |
π V. Global Market Comparison (2026)
| Country | Recommended HS Code | Tariff | Certification | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 8215.99.15.00 |
14.8% (metal) | FDA + RoHS | 38.3% for ceramic |
| π¨π³ China | 8215.99.15.00 |
5% | CCC + RoHS | No extra tariffs |
| πͺπΊ EU | 8215.99.15.00 |
0% (if CE) | CE + LFGB | No Section 301 |
| π―π΅ Japan | 8215.99.15.00 |
0% | PSE + LFGB | Low tariffs |
| π¦πΊ Australia | 8215.99.15.00 |
5% | RCM + FDA | No Section 301 |
π Conclusion:
- USA is the only market with Section 301 tariffs (7.5% + 10% IEEPA).
- Metal forks are cheaper in the US than plastic (14.8%vs.24.0%).
- Ceramic forks are too expensive for most markets (38.3% in US).
π VI. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
β Mistake 1: Mixing plastic and metal forks in one declaration
π Result: All items taxed at 38.3% (if ceramic) or 24.0% (if plastic) β 3x cost increase!
β Mistake 2: Declaring "Fork" without material detail
π Result: Customs may reject or reclassify β Delay + fines
β Mistake 3: Using generic "Cutlery" instead of "Fruit Fork"
π Result: May trigger misclassification β Audit risk
β Correct Practice:
"Stainless Steel Fruit Fork, 3-prong, 15cm, FDA-approved, Model XYZ, 1000 pcs"
π― VII. Final Recommendations (2026 Strategy)
π― Key Takeaways:
πΉ "Material First" β Plastic, metal, or ceramic determines HS Code!
πΉ "Metal Forks Win in US" β 14.8% vs. 24% (plastic)
πΉ "Ceramic is a No-Go" β 38.3% is too high for most buyers
πΉ "De Minimis Doesn't Apply" β No $800 exemption!
π Pro Tip:
If your forks are made in Vietnam, Mexico, or Thailand, you may qualify for IEEPA exemption β 0%~5% tariffs!
Apply for Advance Ruling before shipment to avoid delays!
π£ Act Now:
π Contact a customs broker + Provide material specs + Apply for HS Code Pre-Ruling
π Clear customs smoothly, reduce costs, and maximize profits!
β¨ Precise Classification = Zero Surprises!
πΌ Every penny saved is a profit earned!
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.