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The short version
- An HS code is a 6-digit product code from the Harmonized System, used by customs in more than 200 countries and economies to decide what a product is and what duty applies.
- Each country adds digits: the US HTS has 10, Canada's tariff classification number has 10. The first 6 are the same worldwide.
- To find yours: describe the product, search the official tariff, read the chapter and heading notes, then check the rate in the General column.
- On a commercial invoice from China, the supplier's HS code is a starting point only. The importer is responsible for the final classification.
What is an HS code?
An HS code (Harmonized System code) is a standardized 6-digit number that identifies a product for customs. The system is maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and covers more than 5,000 commodity groups. Over 98% of world merchandise trade is classified under it. Customs uses the code to work out the duty rate, apply import rules and compile trade statistics.
You will also see it called a tariff code, customs code, commodity code or HTS code. In Chinese it is the 海关编码 or HS编码 (see below).
How is an HS code structured?
| Digits | Level | Set by | Example (ceramic household ware) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 2 | Chapter | WCO (all countries) | 69: Ceramic products |
| First 4 | Heading | WCO (all countries) | 6912: Ceramic tableware, kitchenware and other household articles, other than porcelain or china |
| First 6 | Subheading | WCO (all countries) | 6912.00 (the heading has no further 6-digit split) |
| 7 to 8 | National tariff line | Each country | US: 6912.00.44 (Mugs and other steins) |
| 9 to 10 | Statistical suffix | Each country | US: 6912.00.44.00 |
Structure verified on the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule search in October 2026. The mug line is an example of how a code reads, not advice for your product.
The WCO revises the HS roughly every five to six years, so codes can change between editions. Always check the current edition in the official tariff.
What is the difference between HS, HTS and the Canadian tariff code?
| HS code | US HTS code | Canada tariff classification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digits | 6 | 10 (often shown with dots, 8 for duty, 10 for statistics) | 10 |
| Who sets it | World Customs Organization | US International Trade Commission (rates and structure); CBP enforces | Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Customs Tariff |
| Used for | Shared language between countries | US duty rates and import statistics | Canadian duty rates and statistics |
| Where to search | Your destination country's tariff | hts.usitc.gov | The CBSA Customs Tariff |
If a supplier gives you a 6-digit code, that is the HS code. To get the 8 or 10-digit code your country needs, you search your own national tariff using those 6 digits as a starting point. Different countries can have different duty rates for the same 6-digit code.
How do you find the HS code for your product?
- Describe the product preciselyWrite down what it is made of, what it does, who uses it and how it is sold (for example: ceramic mug, household use, not porcelain). Material and function usually decide the code.
- Search the official tariffFor US imports, use the Harmonized Tariff Schedule search from the USITC. For Canada, use the CBSA Customs Tariff. Search by product words, then browse the chapters.
- Read the notesEach section and chapter has legal notes that include or exclude products. They override a tempting-looking description.
- Pick the most specific lineGo from chapter to heading to subheading to the national line. If two lines seem to fit, check the General Rules of Interpretation in the tariff.
- Check the rateRead the General rate for that line, then check for additional duties such as the extra tariffs on China (see below).
- Confirm itCompare with the supplier's code and with what similar products use. For high-value or uncertain goods, ask a licensed customs broker or request a binding ruling from customs.
Search results often show headings without a rate. Keep drilling down until you reach a line that has a rate in the General column.
Worked example: a ceramic mug
As a real example, we looked up heading 6912 (ceramic tableware and kitchenware, not of porcelain or china) in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule in October 2026. Among the lines under it is 6912.00.44.00, "Mugs and other steins", with a General rate of 10% and a Column 2 rate of 55%. Other lines under the same heading carry different rates, for example 6912.00.50.00 ("Other") at 6%. A mug made of porcelain or china would fall under a different heading (6911). Rates and lines change, so check the current schedule before you rely on any of these numbers.
The General rate is the normal duty only. Goods from China can also face additional US tariffs on top of it. Those change often, so see our tariffs on China imports update and run your product through the tariff calculator.
What do the HTS "Rates of Duty" columns 1 General, 1 Special and 2 mean?
The US Harmonized Tariff Schedule shows three rate columns under "Rates of Duty". As of October 2026, the USITC explains them like this:
| Column | What it means | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Column 1: General | The normal (most favored nation / normal trade relations) duty rate. This is the base rate for nearly every country. | Almost all countries, including China |
| Column 1: Special | Lower or duty-free rates under free trade agreements and preference programs. Shown as program codes such as A, AU, CA, KR. You must qualify and claim it on each shipment. If you do not, the General rate applies. | Goods that meet the origin rules of the named program. Not available for China-origin goods under normal rules |
| Column 2 | A much higher rate, shown in the HTS “Other” column, for countries listed in General Note 3(b) (Belarus, Cuba, North Korea and Russia at the time of the USITC page). | Only the listed countries |
Source: USITC explanation of HTS columns, checked October 2026. In the mug example above, General is 10%, Special lists FTA codes, and Column 2 is 55%.
For goods from China, the General column is the starting point. Extra duties (such as Section 301 and other measures) are charged on top and are listed separately in Chapter 99 of the HTS, not in the three columns above. Our tariff update tracks what applies right now.
What does a supplier mean by HS code on a commercial invoice?
Many suppliers in China add an HS code to the commercial invoice and packing list so customs and the freight forwarder can pre-fill the entry. Treat it as a suggestion. It is usually the 6-digit or the Chinese export code (the Chinese customs tariff uses 8 to 10 digits as well), and it may not match the code your country uses. A wrong or vague code can mean the wrong duty, a held shipment or a penalty, and responsibility rests with the importer of record.
Ask your supplier for: a clear product description (material, use), the HS code they use, and the unit value. Then classify it yourself in your destination tariff before the goods ship. If the number you get differs from theirs, ask them why; often it is a material or function detail. For how duty feeds into your total cost, see how to calculate landed cost.
What are common HS code mistakes?
- Copying a competitor's or supplier's code without checking the product matches the description and notes.
- Stopping at 6 digits when your country needs 8 or 10.
- Classifying by name, not by material and function. A bag, a toy and a decoration can each fall in different chapters.
- Ignoring section and chapter notes, which exclude products that look like they fit.
- Using an outdated code after an HS revision or tariff change.
- Forgetting extra duties. The General rate is not the full duty on China-origin goods.
- Under-describing the product on the invoice (for example just “gift” or “samples”).
How do you say HS code in Chinese?
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| HS code | 海关编码 / HS编码 | hǎiguān biānmǎ / HS biānmǎ |
| Harmonized System | 协调制度 | xiétiáo zhìdù |
| Customs tariff | 海关税则 | hǎiguān shuìzé |
| Tariff classification | 商品归类 | shāngpǐn guīlèi |
| Commercial invoice | 商业发票 | shāngyè fāpiào |
| Please send the HS code | 请提供海关编码 | qǐng tígōng hǎiguān biānmǎ |
| Duty rate | 关税税率 | guānshuì shuìlǜ |
Chinese suppliers commonly write the code on the invoice as 海关编码 or HS CODE. A message such as “请提供海关编码和产品材质” (please provide the HS code and the product material) gets you what you need to classify it.
Estimate the duty, then the full cost
Use our free tariff calculator to estimate duty on goods from China, then add shipping and fees in the landed cost calculator. Our China Sourcing Toolkit adds supplier message templates, RFQ and invoice checklists for the whole import process.
Next step: Landed cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is an HS code?
An HS code is a standardized 6-digit product number from the Harmonized System, maintained by the World Customs Organization. Customs uses it to identify goods, set duty rates and compile trade statistics. Each country adds extra digits.
How many digits is an HS code?
The international HS code has 6 digits. The US HTS and the Canadian tariff classification number each have 10 digits, where the first 6 follow the HS and the rest are country specific.
Is an HS code the same as an HTS code?
Not exactly. HS is the 6-digit international code. HTS is the US version, which extends the HS with 4 more digits for duty rates and statistics. The first 6 digits match.
Where do I find the HS code for my product?
Search your destination country's official tariff: the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule for the US, or the CBSA Customs Tariff for Canada. Read the chapter notes and choose the most specific line.
What does Column 2 mean in the HTS?
Column 2 is a much higher rate that applies only to countries listed in HTS General Note 3(b), which at the time of the USITC page were Belarus, Cuba, North Korea and Russia. Most countries use the Column 1 General rate.
Can my supplier choose the HS code?
They can suggest one on the invoice, but the importer is responsible for the final classification. Check it in your own country's tariff before shipping.
Duty rates and tariff lines change and examples are illustrative. This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice: confirm classification with your customs authority or a licensed broker. SuanSupply is not affiliated with the WCO, USITC, CBP or CBSA.