HS Code for Swords
Swords point toward heading 9307 of the HTSUS, which covers swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances and similar arms, their parts, and scabbards and sheaths for them. The heading has a single line, 9307.00.00.00, with a general rate of 2.7%, and it generally covers display and decorative swords as well as functional ones. The main points worth checking are whether the item is really a sword rather than a knife, a sporting blade or a toy, and whether it qualifies as an antique.
HTS Codes for Swords
| HTS Code | Description | Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 9307.00.00.00 | Swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances and similar arms and parts thereof and scabbards and sheaths therefor Swords, katanas, sabres, cutlasses, bayonets and lances, including decorative and display swords, sword blades and hilts, and scabbards | 2.7% |
| 8211.92.40.50 | Other knives having fixed blades, with rubber or plastic handles: other: sheath-type knives Fixed-blade sheath knives with rubber or plastic handles, such as some machete-style and survival knives (shown for contrast) | 1¢ each + 4.6% |
| 8211.92.90.45 | Other knives having fixed blades, with other handles: other: sheath-type knives Fixed-blade sheath knives with wood, metal or other handles, such as daggers sold as knives (shown for contrast) | 0.4¢ each + 6.1% |
| 9506.99.60.80 | Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics, athletics, other sports or outdoor games: other: other Sports equipment not specified elsewhere, which may include fencing foils, epees and sabres used for the sport | 4% |
| 9706.90.00.60 | Antiques of an age exceeding 100 years: other (not exceeding 250 years): other Antique swords more than 100 years old but not more than 250 years old | Free |
| 9706.10.00.60 | Antiques of an age exceeding 250 years: other Antique swords more than 250 years old | Free |
How to Approach Classification for Swords
Swords are provided for in heading 9307 of the HTSUS, in chapter 93 (arms and ammunition). The heading covers swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances and similar arms, along with their parts and the scabbards and sheaths made for them. It is not divided further, so katanas, sabres, rapiers, broadswords, cutlasses and bayonets all point toward the same line, 9307.00.00.00.
The heading generally takes in decorative, replica and display swords as well as functional ones, since the provision describes the article rather than its intended use. Parts follow the sword: loose sword blades, hilts, guards (tsuba) and pommels identifiable for swords, and scabbards and sheaths made for them, also point toward 9307. A sword imported with its own scabbard generally travels as a single unit.
The main boundary is with knives in chapter 82. Heading 8211 covers knives with cutting blades, and fixed-blade sheath knives, hunting knives and many daggers point there, split by handle material into lines such as 8211.92.40 (rubber or plastic handles) and 8211.92.90 (other handles), each with a compound rate per item plus a percentage. Blade length, the presence of a guard and hilt, and how the article is designed and marketed are the practical factors in deciding whether a long blade is a sword or a knife.
Two further boundaries are worth knowing. Chapter 93 excludes fencing foils and toys, so blades designed for the sport of fencing point toward chapter 95 sports equipment (with 9506.99.60 as a line to explore), and toy swords toward the toy heading 9503. Swords more than 100 years old may qualify as antiques under heading 9706, which splits at 250 years of age (9706.90 and 9706.10), provided the age can be documented.
Outside the tariff itself, some state and local jurisdictions restrict the sale or possession of certain bladed weapons, so it is worth checking local rules for the destination alongside the classification suggestion.
Duty Rate Overview
The general rate of duty for swords at 9307.00.00.00 is 2.7%. Knives that point toward heading 8211 carry compound rates instead, around 1¢ each plus 4.6% for sheath-type knives with rubber or plastic handles (8211.92.40.50) and around 0.4¢ each plus 6.1% for sheath-type knives with other handles (8211.92.90.45). Fencing equipment under 9506.99.60 is around 4%, and documented antiques over 100 years old under heading 9706 are Free. Additional duties such as Section 301 or IEEPA-based tariffs may apply depending on country of origin, and preferential rates under free trade agreements may reduce duties for qualifying origins. These figures are estimates for general planning purposes only.