Classification is a legal decision · Where the international code ends
Six-digit HS vs national tariff lines
The six-digit HS code is the shared base; the US, EU and other markets add digits for duty and statistical lines.
Key facts
| International | Six digits |
|---|---|
| United States | Ten-digit HTSUS statistical suffix |
| European Union | Eight-digit Combined Nomenclature plus TARIC |
| United Kingdom | Commodity code in the UK Trade Tariff, usually ten digits |
| Canada | Tariff item and statistical suffix in the Customs Tariff |
| Why extra digits matter | They can change the duty rate, permit or anti-dumping measure |
| Official source | Destination tariff database |
A six-digit match is a starting point
Finding a six-digit match does not finish the job. The national line decides the actual duty and any special measure. A product can be duty-free at six digits in one country and subject to an anti-dumping duty at ten digits in another.
Use the destination's official tariff database for the final line, and record the full code used on the entry.
Keep the version and date
Tariffs change. A code that was correct last year may have been split, merged or given a new measure. Record the tariff edition and the date you checked it, especially for a product you import repeatedly.
If a customs authority issues a ruling, keep the ruling number and the exact product description it covers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a six-digit code on a customs entry?
Some simplified procedures accept fewer digits, but most commercial entries require the full national line. Follow the destination system.
Why does the same product have different national codes?
Countries add digits for their own duty rates, statistics and trade measures. The international six digits stay the same.
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