HS Code: What It Is and How to Find Yours
An HS code is the internationally agreed number that classifies a product for customs. The first 6 digits are the same in almost every country; countries add more digits for their own duty rates.
What is an HS code?
An HS code is a number from the Harmonized System, the product classification maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO). Customs authorities in more than 200 countries and territories use it to identify goods, apply duty rates and collect trade statistics. The first six digits are internationally harmonised; each country can add further digits for its own tariff.
How an HS code is built
| Digits | Level | Example: 6109.10 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Chapter | 61: knitted or crocheted apparel |
| 4 | Heading | 6109: T shirts, singlets and other vests, knitted |
| 6 | Subheading | 6109.10: of cotton |
Another example: 0901.21 is coffee, roasted, not decaffeinated. The Harmonized System is revised about every five years; the current edition is HS 2022, in force since 1 January 2022.
HS vs HTS vs HSN vs CN
Countries extend the six digit HS code for their own tariffs, which is why the same product can have different "full" codes in different places:
| Name | Country | Digits |
|---|---|---|
| HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) | United States | 10 (8 for duty, 2 statistical) |
| CN (Combined Nomenclature) and TARIC | European Union | 8 for the CN, 10 for TARIC |
| Commodity code | United Kingdom | 8 for exports, 10 for imports |
| ITC HS and HSN | India (HSN code finder) | 8 for customs; HSN for GST uses 4 to 8 |
| NCM | Brazil and Mercosur | 8 |
How to find the HS code for a product
- Describe the product precisely: what it is, what it is made of, what it is used for, and how it is presented (set, kit, part).
- Find the chapter and heading in the destination country's tariff, for example the US HTS search at usitc.gov, the EU TARIC database or the UK Trade Tariff.
- Apply the General Interpretative Rules (GIR 1 to 6): classification follows the heading texts and section and chapter notes first, not the closest sounding name.
- Check the national digits and the duty rate, which can depend on the origin of the goods.
- When in doubt, ask a customs broker, or apply for a binding ruling from the customs authority, which fixes the classification for you.
Where the HS code goes
Put the code on each line of the commercial invoice and packing list, and use the same code on the export and import declarations. The code drives the duty you pay, so it is a large part of your landed cost. Under DDP the seller is responsible for the import classification; under other Incoterms the buyer is.
Features
- Plain English definition
- How the 6 digits are built, with examples
- HS vs HTS vs HSN vs CN codes
- Steps to classify a product
Frequently asked questions
What is an HS code?
An HS code is the number from the World Customs Organization's Harmonized System that classifies a product for customs. The first six digits are the same in nearly every country.
How many digits is an HS code?
Six at international level. Countries add digits for their own tariffs: the US uses 10, the EU 8 (or 10 for TARIC), and India 8 for customs.
Is an HS code the same as an HTS code?
The first six digits are the same. The HTS code is the US extension of the HS code, with 10 digits in total.
Who decides the HS code of my product?
The importer or exporter declares it, and customs can challenge it. For certainty, ask a customs broker or apply for a binding ruling from the customs authority.
Does the HS code change the import duty?
Yes. Duty rates are set per tariff code, so the classification directly decides how much duty is due, together with the origin of the goods.