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.

Κωδικοί HS & HTS

380852

Insecticides and the like, containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter, for retail sale or as preparations or articles, DDT (ISO) (clofenotane (INN)), in packings of 300g or less

380859

Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, disinfectants, herbicides and the like, containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter, not DDT (ISO) (clofenotane (INN)), put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

380861

Insecticides and the like, containing goods specified in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, in packings of a net weight content not exceeding 300g, for retail sale or as preparations or articles

380862

Insecticides, containing goods specified in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles, in packings of a net weight content exceeding 300g but not exceeding 7.5kg

380869

Insecticides, containing goods named in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles, in packings of a net weight content exceeding 7.5kg

380891

Insecticides, other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2 to this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

380892

Fungicides, other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

380893

Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators, other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

380894

Disinfectants, other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

380899

Rodenticides and other similar products n.e.c. in heading no. 3808.9, other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

380910

Finishing agents and dye carriers, to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in textile, paper, leather etc industries, with basis of amylaceous substances, n.e.c.

380991

Finishing agents and dye carriers, to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in the textile industry (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances)

380992

Finishing agents and dye carriers, to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in the paper industry (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances)

380993

Finishing agents and dye carriers, to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in the leather or like (excluding paper and textile) industries, (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances)

381010

Pickling preparations for metal surfaces, soldering, brazing or welding powders and pastes consisting of metal and other materials

381090

Fluxes and other auxiliary preparations, for soldering, brazing or welding, or preparations used as cores or coatings for welding electrodes or rods

381111

Anti-knock preparations, based on lead compounds

381119

Anti-knock preparations, other than those based on lead compounds

381121

Lubricating oil additives, containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals

381129

Lubricating oil additives, not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals

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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.

Κωδικοί HS & HTS

FAQs on Harmonized System (HS) Code

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