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

9021

Orthopaedic appliances, including crutches, surgical belts and trusses, splints and other fracture appliances, artificial parts of the body, hearing aids and other which are worn, carried or implanted in the body to compensate for a defect or disability

9022

X-ray, alpha, beta, gamma radiation apparatus, x-ray tubes, x-ray generators, high tension generators, control panels and desks, screens, examination or treatment tables, chairs and the like

9023

Instruments, apparatus and models, designed for demonstrational purposes (in education or exhibitions), unsuitable for other uses

9024

Machines and appliances for testing the hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity of other mechanical properties of materials (e.g. metals, wood, textiles, paper, plastics)

9025

Hydrometers and similar floating instruments, thermometers, pyrometers, barometers, hygrometers and psychrometers, recording or not

9026

Instruments, apparatus for measuring or checking the flow, level, pressure of liquids, gases (e.g. flow meters, heat meters etc), not instruments and apparatus of heading no. 9014, 9015, 9028 or 9032

9027

Instruments and apparatus, for physical or chemical analysis (e.g. polarimeters, spectrometers), for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, etc, for measuring quantities of heat, sound or light

9028

Gas, liquid or electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters therefor

9029

Revolution counter, production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and the like, speed indicators and tachometers, other than those of heading no. 9015, stroboscopes

9030

Instruments, apparatus for measuring, checking electrical quantities not meters of heading no. 9028, instruments, apparatus for measuring or detecting alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, cosmic and other radiations

9031

Measuring or checking instruments, appliances and machines, n.e.c. or included in this chapter, profile projectors

9032

Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus, automatic type

9033

Machines and appliances, instruments or apparatus of chapter 90, parts and accessories n.e.c. in chapter 90

9101

Wrist-watches, pocket-watches, stop-watches and other watches, with case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal

9102

Wrist-watches, pocket-watches, stop-watches and other watches, other than those of heading no. 9101

9103

Clocks, with watch movements, excluding clocks of heading no. 9104

9104

Instrument panel clocks and clocks of a similar type for vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft or vessels

9105

Clocks, other, n.e.c.

9106

Time of day recording apparatus and apparatus for measuring, recording or otherwise indicating intervals of time, with clock, watch movement or synchronous motor

9107

Time switches, with clock, watch movement or synchronous motor

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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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