Six digits, then national lines
The Harmonized System gives a six-digit code: chapter, heading and subheading. Countries then add national digits for their own tariff lines. The US uses a 10-digit HTS code; the GCC uses an 8-digit line; other markets differ.
A six-digit candidate is useful for orientation. It is not enough to file an entry or to promise a duty rate. The national line is where the rate and many measures actually attach.
The General Interpretative Rules
Classification follows the GRI: the heading text and section notes come first; incomplete goods can be classified by their essential character; then the most specific description; then the heading that occurs last in numerical order when several fit.
In practice, the product’s function, material and intended use matter more than its trade name. A “speaker” can be a loudspeaker, a complete audio system, a part or an accessory depending on what is actually being shipped.
Why the same product gets different codes
Different importers describe the same item differently. A supplier may use a code that was correct for a previous shipment, a different model or a different market. That is not evidence that it is correct for your entry.
Used goods do not automatically get a different code. Condition affects admissibility and valuation, not necessarily classification. Check both.
How to brief a broker
Send a catalogue page, clear photos, material composition, function, power source, model number and the intended use. For machinery, explain what the machine does and whether it is complete or a part.
Ask for the reasoning, not just the code. A one-line answer is harder to defend if the entry is reviewed.
| Product clue | What it often means | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| “Speaker” | Loudspeaker, audio system or part | Enclosure, single vs multiple, amplifier included |
| “Pump” | Centrifugal, reciprocating or parts | Flow, drive, whether it is a complete unit |
| “Parts” | Part of a machine, vehicle or electrical item | What it is a part of and its function |
| “Machine” | Individual function or a system | Complete vs incomplete, function and power |
| “Fertilizer” | Chemical composition matters | N, P, K content, packaging, dangerous goods |
A candidate code from FOBtoDDP is a research starting point. It is not a classification opinion and should not be used as the sole basis for an entry.
Common questions
Can I use the supplier’s HS code?
You can use it as a starting point, but you should verify it against the actual goods and the destination’s national tariff. The importer is responsible for the accuracy of the entry.
Does the HS code change if the goods are used?
Not necessarily. Condition can affect admissibility and value, but classification is driven by the goods’ characteristics, function and material.
What is the difference between HS and HTS?
HS is the international six-digit system. HTS is a national tariff schedule, such as the US HTS, which adds national digits and rates.
Put your own shipment through the model.
One sentence is enough to start. You can edit every extracted field.
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