HS Code Logistics & Specifications Explorer
Commodity Selectors (Dropdown)
Select any commodity code from the dropdown menu to inspect its full technical and logistical specifications.
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Select an HS Code from the dropdown menu to view full specifications.
Technical Specs
Quality, grades, purity & standards
Please select an HS code from the dropdown above.
Packaging
Export containers, bags, drums & pallets
Please select an HS code from the dropdown above.
Mandatory Certificates
Customs, sanitary & origin documentation
Please select an HS code from the dropdown above.
Operational & Storage Remarks
Handling, moisture & hazard precautions
Please select an HS code from the dropdown above.
Container Requirements & Temperature Protocol
Dry vs. Refrigerated container status & transit temperature
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What is an HS code?
The Harmonized System (HS) is the international product classification maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO). More than 200 countries, territories and customs unions use it to set import duties, apply trade rules and compile trade statistics, so the correct code decides how much duty you pay and which licences or certificates you need.
The first six digits are the same in every country that uses the HS. Countries then add their own digits for tariff and statistical purposes, which is why an import code can be 8, 10 or more digits long.
How an HS code is structured
| Level | Digits | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 2 | 25 | Salt, sulphur, earths and stone, plaster, lime and cement |
| Heading | 4 | 2520 | Gypsum; anhydrite; plasters |
| Subheading | 6 | 2520.10 | Gypsum; anhydrite |
| National tariff line | 8–10+ | 2520.10.xx | Set by each importing country |
The current edition is HS 2022, which came into force on 1 January 2022. It has 21 sections, 97 chapters and about 5,600 six-digit subheadings. The WCO revises the nomenclature roughly every five years, so codes you used years ago may have changed.
How to find the right HS code
- Start from what the product is made of and what it does, not its trade name. Customs classifies by material, function and processing.
- Read the section and chapter notes. They often exclude products you might expect to find there.
- Apply the General Rules for Interpretation (GRI). The six GRIs decide cases such as mixtures, sets and unfinished goods; GRI 1 says the heading texts and notes come first.
- Confirm the national code with the importing country. The 6-digit subheading is shared, but duty rates attach to the national tariff line.
- For costly or uncertain cases, ask for a binding ruling. Many customs authorities issue advance classification rulings that protect you from later disputes.
Use the explorer above for logistics specifications by product, then estimate duties in the landed cost calculator. Our mineral buyer's guides, such as the anhydrite guide, show classification in practice.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HS code the same in every country?
The first six digits are the same in all countries that use the Harmonized System. The digits after that are national, so the full tariff code differs between countries.
Who maintains the HS code?
The World Customs Organization (WCO) in Brussels maintains the Harmonized System and updates it roughly every five years. The current edition is HS 2022.
What happens if I use the wrong HS code?
You can pay the wrong duty, have goods held at customs, or face penalties and back-duty claims later. Misclassification can also mean missing a required licence or certificate.
What is the difference between an HS code and an HTS code?
HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) is the United States' national tariff built on the HS. Its first six digits are the HS subheading; the last four are US-specific.
Who is responsible for the HS code on a shipment?
Legally the importer, or the customs broker acting for them, is responsible for the classification declared at import. Exporters usually supply a code on the commercial invoice, but the importing country's code is what counts.