2022 NAICS national industry in sector 42 Wholesale Trade
423710 Hardware Merchant Wholesalers
NAICS 423710 is the US industry code for hardware merchant wholesalers. It covers establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of hardware, knives, or handtools.
- Code
- 423710 (2022 NAICS)
- Title
- Hardware Merchant Wholesalers
- Part of
- Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
- SBA small business limit
- Up to 150 employees
- Closest UK SIC
- 46630 (details)
Changes coming. The NAICS 2027 revision applies to data from 1 January 2027, and SBA proposed new size standards on 20 August 2026. The values on this page are the ones in force today; we update this page when the official files change.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of hardware, knives, or handtools.
Examples Census gives
- Brads merchant wholesalers
- Cutlery merchant wholesalers
- Knives (except disposable plastics) merchant wholesalers
- Power handtools (e.g., drills, saws, sanders) merchant wholesalers
- Fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, rivets, screws) merchant wholesalers
- Staples merchant wholesalers
- Handtools (except motor vehicle, machinists' precision) merchant wholesalers
- Hardware (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers
- Tacks merchant wholesalers
- Keys and locks merchant wholesalers
When to use a different code
Census classifies these close-sounding activities somewhere else. Businesses mainly engaged in:
- Merchant wholesale distribution of nails, noninsulated wire, and screening are classified in Industry 423510, Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers.
- Merchant wholesale distribution of motor vehicle handtools, hardware, and equipment are classified in Industry 423120, Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers.
- Merchant wholesale distribution of machinists' precision handtools are classified in Industry 423830, Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers.
- Merchant wholesale distribution of disposable plastics knives and eating utensils are classified in Industry 424130, Industrial and Personal Service Paper Merchant Wholesalers.
Activities listed under 423710
The Census index assigns these 21 activities to this code. If your business matches one, this is your code.
- Appliance hardware merchant wholesalers
- Blades (e.g., knife, saw) merchant wholesalers
- Bolts, nuts, rivets, screws, and other fasteners merchant wholesalers
- Brads merchant wholesalers
- Cabinet hardware and fittings merchant wholesalers
- Carpenters' tools merchant wholesalers
- Cutlery merchant wholesalers
- Drapery hardware merchant wholesalers
- Fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, rivets, screws) merchant wholesalers
- Handtools (except motor vehicle mechanics', machinists' precision) merchant wholesalers
- Hardware (except motor vehicle) merchant wholesalers
- Hinges merchant wholesalers
- Keys and locks merchant wholesalers
- Knives (except disposable plastics) merchant wholesalers
- Locks, security, merchant wholesalers
- Plumbers' tools and equipment merchant wholesalers
- Power handtools (e.g., drills, sanders, saws) merchant wholesalers
- Specialty-line hardware merchant wholesalers
- Staples merchant wholesalers
- Tacks merchant wholesalers
- Tools, hand (except motor vehicle, machinists' precision tools), merchant wholesalers
SBA size standard for 423710
To count as a small business for SBA loans and federal contracts under NAICS 423710, your business (including affiliates) must not exceed 150 employees. Check your business.
Source: SBA table of size standards, effective March 17, 2023.
Closest UK SIC 2007 codes
There is no official one-to-one link between NAICS and UK SIC. These codes share the same international class (ISIC Rev. 4: 4663), so treat them as a starting point and check the definition.
Built from Census concordances 2022→2017 NAICS and 2017 NAICS→ISIC Rev. 4.
Similar codes to compare
Data last changed November 14, 2026. How this page is built.