Reference

HS codes without the guesswork

An HS code is not a product tag. It is a legal classification that drives duty, permits, origin rules and statistics. This reference explains the structure and the evidence you should keep.

Six digits are international; the rest is national

The World Customs Organization maintains the Harmonized System to six digits. Countries add digits for duty rates and statistics: the United States uses a ten-digit HTSUS line, the European Union uses an eight-digit Combined Nomenclature plus TARIC measures, and other countries publish their own national tariff.

That means a six-digit code can be correct internationally and still be incomplete for a specific entry. The destination tariff decides the final line and rate.

Classification is a reasoned decision

The General Interpretative Rules set the order of analysis: section and chapter notes first, then heading text, then essential character, then the remaining rules. Marketing names, marketplace categories and supplier suggestions are not classification authority.

For high-value or repeated imports, request a binding ruling and keep the product specification, photos, materials and reasoning. A binding ruling is slow but reduces the risk of a later adjustment.

All entries

HS code — what it is and what it controlsA standardized product classification used by customs for duty, permits, origin and trade statistics. HS chapters and headingsHow the HS is organized into sections, chapters, headings and subheadings, and why the chapter notes matter. Six-digit HS vs national tariff linesThe six-digit HS code is the shared base; the US, EU and other markets add digits for duty and statistical lines. General Interpretative Rules (GRI)The six rules that tell you which heading applies when product descriptions, sets or mixtures create ambiguity. HTSUS — the US tariff lineThe US Harmonized Tariff Schedule adds statistical digits to the HS and carries the duty rates and special measures. TARIC and the EU Combined NomenclatureThe EU uses an eight-digit Combined Nomenclature and a ten-digit TARIC layer for measures such as anti-dumping and quotas. Common HS code mistakesThe recurring classification failures: marketing names, ignored notes, old editions, one code for variants and origin confusion. How to look up an HS codeA practical lookup sequence: describe the goods, read the notes, search the official tariff, record the reasoning and request a ruling when needed.

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