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.

Mã HS & HTS

8108

Titanium, articles thereof, including waste and scrap

8109

Zirconium, articles thereof, including waste and scrap

8110

Antimony, articles thereof, including waste and scrap

8111

Manganese, articles thereof, including waste and scrap

8112

Beryllium, chromium, germanium, vanadium, gallium, hafnium, indium, niobium (columbium), rhenium and thallium, and articles of these metals, including waste and scrap

8113

Cermets, articles thereof, including waste and scrap

8201

Tools, hand, spades, shovels, mattocks, picks, hoes, forks, rakes, axes, bill hooks etc, secateurs and pruners of any kind, scythes, sickles, hay knives, hedge shears, timber wedges and other tools used in agriculture, horticulture, forestry

8202

Tools, hand, saws and blades for saws of all kinds (including slitting, slotting or toothless blades)

8203

Tools, hand, files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt croppers, perforating punches and similar

8204

Tools, hand, hand-operated spanners and wrenches (including torque meter wrenches but not including tap wrenches), interchangeable spanner sockets, with or without handles

8205

Tools, hand, (including glaziers' diamonds) n.e.c., blow lamps, vices, clamps etc, other than accessories for and parts of, machine-tools or water-jet cutting machines, anvils, portable forges, hand or pedal operated grinding wheels with frameworks

8206

Tools, hand, two or more of heading no. 8202 to 8205, put up in sets for retail sale

8207

Tools, interchangeable, for hand tools, whether or not power-operated, or for machine tools (pressing, stamping, punching, drilling etc), including dies for drawing or extruding metal, and rock drilling or earth boring tools

8208

Knives and cutting blades, for machines or for mechanical appliances

8209

Tools, plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, unmounted, of sintered metal carbides or cermets

8210

Tools, hand-operated mechanical appliances, weighing 10kg or less, used in the preparation, conditioning or serving of food or drink

8211

Knives, with cutting blades, serrated or not (including pruning knives), other than knives of heading no. 8208, and blades therefore

8212

Razors and razor blades, (including razor blade blanks in strips)

8213

Scissors, tailors' shears and similar shears, and blades therefore

8214

Cutlery, other articles, (e.g. hair clippers, butchers' or kitchen cleavers, choppers and mincing knives, paper knives), manicure or pedicure sets and instruments (including nail files)

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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.

Mã HS & HTS

FAQs on Harmonized System (HS) Code

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