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.

Codici HS & HTS

401692

Rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), erasers, of non-cellular rubber

401693

Rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), gaskets, washers and other seals, of non-cellular rubber

401694

Rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), boat or dock fenders, whether or not inflatable, of non-cellular rubber

401695

Rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), inflatable articles (other than boat or dock fenders), of non-cellular rubber

401699

Rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), articles n.e.c. in heading no. 4016, of non-cellular rubber

401700

Rubber, ebonite and other hard rubbers in all forms, including waste and scrap, and articles of hard rubber

410120

Raw hides and skins, whole, unsplit, of bovine or equine animals, of a weight per skin not exceeding 8kg when simply dried, 10kg when dry-salted or 16kg when fresh, wet-salted or otherwise preserved

410150

Hides and skins, raw, whole, of bovine or equine animals, of a weight per skin exceeding 16 kg

410190

Hides and skins, other than whole, but including butts, bends and bellies, of bovine (including. buffalo) and equine animals, fresh, salted or preserved, but not tanned, parchment dressed or further prepared, whether or not dehaired or split

410210

Skins, raw, of sheep or lambs, fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, (but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), with wool on

410221

Skins, raw, of sheep or lambs, pickled (but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further preserved), without wool on

410229

Hides and skins, raw, of animals n.e.c. in this chapter, fresh, salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, (but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split

410320

Hides and skins, raw, of reptiles (fresh or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split

410330

Hides and skins, raw, of swine, (fresh or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split

410390

410411

Tanned or crust hides and skins, without hair on, bovine or equine, in the wet state (including wet blue), full grains, unsplit, grain splits

410419

Tanned or crust hides and skins, bovine or equine, without hair on, in the wet state (including wet blue), excluding full grains, unsplit, grain splits

410441

Tanned or crust hides and skins, bovine or equine, without hair on, in the dry state (crust), full grains, unsplit, grain splits

410449

Tanned or crust hides and skins, bovine or equine, without hair on, in the dry state (crust), (other than full grains, unsplit, grain splits)

410510

Tanned or crust skins of sheep or lambs, without wool on, whether or not split, but not further prepared, in the wet state (including wet-blue)

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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.

Codici HS & HTS

FAQs on Harmonized System (HS) Code

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