What is a Harmonized System (HS) code?

A Harmonized System (HS) code is a standardized numerical code used worldwide to classify goods in international trade. It is managed by the World Customs Organization and used by customs authorities in over 200 countries to identify products, calculate duties and taxes, and collect trade statistics.

Are HS Codes used both for import and export?

Yes, HS codes are used for both import and export. The same six-digit HS structure underpins the classification systems countries use when goods enter or leave a country. It appears on customs declarations, commercial invoices, and certificates of origin.

What really sets an HS code apart from an HTS code?

An HS code is a 6-digit global classification system used by over 200 countries. An HTS code is country-specific and adds extra digits to the base HS code to determine duty rates and trade statistics. The first six digits remain consistent worldwide, while additional digits vary by country.

Why are the first 6 digits of an HS Code so important?

The first six digits are standardized by the World Customs Organization and are the same worldwide. They form the universal product classification used in international trade. Additional digits determine country-specific duties, but the first six digits ensure global consistency.

What are the risks of using an incorrect HS code?

Using an incorrect HS code can result in customs delays, shipment inspections, fines, seizure of goods, or repayment of duties. It can also damage business reputation and create compliance or insurance complications.

How often are HS codes updated?

The World Customs Organization updates the HS nomenclature approximately every five years, most recently in 2022. However, individual countries may update their national tariff schedules more frequently.

Are tariff codes and HS codes the same thing?

No. An HS code is the global 6-digit classification system created by the World Customs Organization. A tariff code is a country-specific classification that builds on the HS code and includes additional digits to determine duties and taxes.

Codes SH & HTS

2003

Mushrooms and truffles, prepared or preserved other than by vinegar or acetic acid

2004

Vegetables preparations n.e.c., prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozen, other than products of heading no. 2006

2005

Vegetables preparations n.e.c., prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen, other than products of heading no. 2006

2006

Vegetables, fruit, nuts, fruit-peel and other parts of plants, preserved by sugar (drained, glace or crystallised)

2007

Jams, fruit jellies, marmalades, fruit or nut puree and fruit or nut pastes, being cooked preparations, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter

2008

Fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, prepared or preserved in ways n.e.c., whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or spirit, not elsewhere specified or included

2009

Fruit juices (including grape must) and vegetable juices, unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter

2101

Extracts, essences, concentrates of coffee, tea or mate, preparations with a basis of these products or with a basis of coffee, tea or mate, roasted chicory and other roasted coffee substitutes and extracts, essences and concentrates thereof

2102

Yeasts (active or inactive), other single-cell micro-organisms, dead (but not including vaccines of heading no. 3002), prepared baking powders

2103

Sauces and preparations therefor, mixed condiments and mixed seasonings, mustard flour and meal and prepared mustard

2104

Soups and broths and preparations therefor, homogenised composite food preparations

2105

Ice cream and other edible ice, whether or not containing cocoa

2106

Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included

2201

Waters, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured, ice and snow

2202

Waters, including mineral and aerated waters, containing added sugar or sweetening matter, flavoured, other non-alcoholic beverages, not including fruit or vegetable juices of heading no. 2009

2203

Beer made from malt

2204

Wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines, grape must other than that of heading no. 2009

2205

Vermouth and other wine of fresh grapes, flavoured with plants or aromatic substances

2206

Fermented beverages, n.e.c. in chapter 22, (e.g. cider, perry, mead, sake)

2207

Ethyl alcohol, undenatured, of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higher, ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength

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FAQs on Harmonized System (HS) Code

A Harmonized System (HS) code is a standardized numerical code used worldwide to classify goods in international trade. It is managed by the World Customs Organization and is used by customs authorities in over 200 countries to identify products, calculate duties and taxes, and collect trade statistics.
Yes, HS codes are used for both import and export because they are the common language customs authorities rely on to classify goods in international trade. The same six‑digit HS structure underpins the classification systems that countries use when goods enter (imports) or leave (exports), and it appears on key documents like customs declarations, commercial invoices, and certificates of origin.
The HS code is a 6-digit classification used by over 200 countries to pin-down products. On the other hand, an HTS code is specific to your country - like the US - and throws in 2 to 4 extra digits onto the base HS code to figure out duty rates and trade stats. When you are shipping internationally, the first 6 digits are the same everywhere, but the rest of the code changes depending on where your goods are headed.
The first 6 digits are the standard set by the World Customs Organization (WCO). That means no matter where you are in the world, these 6 digits are just about the only thing you'll see the same everywhere. They amount to a sort of "customs language". Now the full 10-digit code is all about how much duty you pay in a particular country but the 6 digits make sure your cargo isn't caught for basic misclassification at the border.
If you get the code wrong your shipment is more likely to get "flagged" by customs. The upshot is either a delay while they re-check the cargo, or heavy fines for the person importing the goods, seizure of the goods, or needing to pay for the duty all over again after the fact. For a freight forwarder, getting the code wrong can damage your reputation and lead to all sorts of insurance headache.
The WCO usually only updates the HS nomenclature every five years to keep up with the HS/HSN Codes FAQ Content Sample latest and greatest. They last did it in 2022. However countries update their own HTS tariff schedules much more often. They can do it as often as once a year, or even half a year if there are new trade agreements or if a country decides to impose a "Section 301" style tariff.
Not exactly. An HS code is the global base classification (usually 6 digits) created by the World Customs Organization, and it is the same across all participating countries. A tariff code is usually the full national classification used by a specific country to set duties and taxes, and it typically starts with the HS code and then adds extra digits for local detail. So every tariff code is built on an HS code, but it is more specific to one country’s tariff schedule.

Codes SH & HTS

FAQs on Harmonized System (HS) Code

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