How to find the HS code for your product

The Harmonized System (HS) is the classification system customs authorities use to identify what a product is and which duty rate applies to it. An HS code is a numeric identifier — usually written as something like 6109.10 — split into a chapter, heading, and subheading.

1. Start broad, then narrow down

The first two digits are the chapter (a broad product category, e.g. "apparel" or "electrical machinery"). The next two digits narrow that down to a heading, and the final digits (subheading) get specific about material, use, or construction. Work top-down instead of guessing the full code at once.

2. Classify by what the product is, not what it's used for

HS classification is generally based on the object's material and construction rather than its marketing use case. A cotton t-shirt is classified as a cotton knitted garment regardless of whether it's sold as fashion, uniform, or promotional merchandise.

3. Check your destination country's official tariff schedule

The first six digits of an HS code are standardized internationally, but countries can add extra digits for their own tariff schedules, and rates are set nationally. Always confirm the final code and rate against the destination country's own customs authority before relying on it for a real shipment.

4. When in doubt, ask for a binding ruling

If a product doesn't clearly fit one category, many customs authorities offer a binding classification ruling service. This is the authoritative way to resolve ambiguous cases — general guides (including this one) can't substitute for it.

Once you have a code, you can run it through the tariff calculator to estimate duty on a declared value.