8201.40 - Axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools, and parts thereof:

This HTS category, 8201.40, encompasses axes, bill hooks, and similar hewing tools, as well as any associated base metal parts. These tools are characterized by their primary function of chopping, splitting, or shaping wood and other tough materials through a forceful striking or chopping action. Examples include traditional axes used for felling trees, splitting logs, and general woodworking, as well as bill hooks, which are often employed in clearing underbrush or harvesting crops.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings, 8201.10 covers digging implements like spades and shovels. Category 8201.30 pertains to tools used for cultivation and soil management such as mattocks, picks, hoes, and rakes. Furthermore, 8201.50 and 8201.60 specifically classify pruning and shearing tools respectively, while 8201.90 covers a broader range of miscellaneous agricultural, horticultural, and forestry handtools. The defining feature of 8201.40 is its heavy-duty chopping and hewing capability.

Within 8201.40, further subdivisions exist to provide more granular classification. Category 8201.40.30.00 specifically addresses machetes and their parts, differentiating these long, broad-bladed knives often used for clearing vegetation. The residual category, 8201.40.60, accounts for all other hewing tools that do not fall under the specific machete classification, ensuring comprehensive coverage for this group of essential tools.