{"id":1341,"date":"2024-09-05T17:26:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T17:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/blog\/hts-codes\/"},"modified":"2025-10-09T20:15:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T20:15:50","slug":"hts-codes","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/blog\/hts-codes\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an HTS Code? How to Understand & Use the Harmonised System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Table of Contents<\/p>

** Minutes<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

How to look up HTS codes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do HTS codes work?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How ShipBob simplifies selling and shipping internationally<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HTS codes FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The myriad of processes and considerations involved in fulfilment\u2014from shipping and warehousing to customs and tariffs\u2014can make selling internationally seem like an intimidating hurdle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, the Harmonized System (HS) makes it easier to navigate the complexities of custom duties and taxes. Once you understand this system, it\u2019s all a matter of finding the right Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code for your international shipments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we\u2019ll take a closer look at what HTS codes are, how they work, how to find them, and how you can avoid the most common issues associated with HTS tariff codes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to look up HTS codes<\/h2><\/div>
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While HS codes are universal, HTS codes will vary depending on the country of import. This is because countries have the freedom to add further classifications to the standard HS code, and each country may have a different categorization procedure. So it\u2019s important to ensure that you\u2019re looking up the right HTS codes based on the country you\u2019re importing to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking up U.S. HTS codes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re importing goods into the U.S, you can use the free Schedule B search tool<\/a> from the U.S Census Bureau to look up the correct HTS codes. The tool will ask you to describe your product and provide you with several auto-fill suggestions. You can choose more info about the product to narrow down on the right chapter and schedule B number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some products are difficult to classify. You can use the Customs Rulings Online Search System<\/a> (CROSS) database to find the appropriate HTS code. If you\u2019re still having trouble identifying the HTS code for your product, consult an expert. You can either check with your local Commercial Service International Trade Specialist<\/a> or a commodity specialist at the Foreign Trade Division of the Census Bureau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking up international HTS codes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

International HTS codes are usually available to access from the government website of the relevant country. For example, you can find Canadian HTS codes<\/a> on the official Canada Border Service Agency website. And for Japan, you can find these codes on the official Japan Customs and Tariff Bureau website<\/a>. You just need to find the appropriate government body depending on which country you\u2019re importing to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this information is not available on these websites, see if it\u2019s listed on the website of reliable postal services in the importing country. This information would usually be available with the respective government postal service. In addition, there are plenty of additional resources online that can provide you with the correct info on international HTS codes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

What is an HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code?<\/h2><\/div>
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HTS stands for Harmonized Tariff Schedule. United States HTS codes are a product classification system made up of 8-to-10-digit codes for organising internationally traded goods. These codes help determine the duties and taxes for imported products<\/a>, which makes it important for traders to know and use the correct HTS codes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Harmonized System (HS)?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Harmonized System is the global system of nomenclature applied to cross-border trade, as administrated by the World Customs Organisation (WCO). The HS standardizes the coding commodity system and serves as a foundation for classifying imports and exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Harmonized System (HS) codes consist of six digits and are assigned to all physical commodities that are undergoing global trade.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

How do HTS codes work?<\/h2><\/div>
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The use of HTS codes helps to streamline the process of applying import duties and taxes accurately. Besides assisting the customs clearance process, these codes are also useful for classifying products appropriately so they can be neatly categorized in a worldwide system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The structure of an HTS code<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HTS numbers typically consist of 8-to-10 digits depending on the country. For example, the U.S uses a 10-digit HTS code called the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S (HTSUS). The first six digits are the universal standard HS number, which is recognised in a majority of international trade for classifying imported commodities. The remaining digits are additional subheadings used for further classification and establishing appropriate duty rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For example, the HTS code for perfumes and toilet waters containing alcohol is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3303.00.30 00<\/p>\n\n\n\n