How to Find the HS Code for Your Product

Every product you import from China needs an HS code. It decides how much duty you pay, which rules apply and how quickly your goods clear customs. The first six digits are the same in almost every country, but the full code is set by the country that imports the goods. This guide explains what an HS code means, how to find the HS code for your product step by step, where to look it up for the US, UK, EU and Canada, and the mistakes that cause delays and extra duty.

Key points
• HS stands for Harmonized System. The first 6 digits are international; each country adds its own digits for duty and statistics.
• Your supplier’s China export code is a useful starting point, but only the first 6 digits carry over. The importing country decides the rest.
• Look up the full code in the official tariff of the destination country: HTS for the US, the Trade Tariff for the UK, TARIC for the EU and the Customs Tariff for Canada.
• The importer, or the customs broker acting for them, is responsible for the code declared at destination. If you are unsure, ask for a binding ruling.
• The same code, product description and value should appear on the export declaration in China, the commercial invoice and the import entry.

What Is an HS Code?

The Harmonized System is a product classification maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO). Customs authorities use it to decide duty rates, collect trade statistics and apply import and export rules. The current version is HS 2022; the next edition, HS 2028, takes effect on 1 January 2028, so some codes will change then.

An HS code is read from left to right, from broad to specific. Here is how the code for cotton T-shirts is built:

The number of digits depends on the country:

How to Find the HS Code for Your Product: 5 Steps

1. Describe the product the way customs sees it

Customs classifies goods by what they are made of, what they do and how they are made, not by the name on your listing. Write down the material (and the main material if there are several), the function, whether it is a complete item or a part, whether it uses electricity or contains a battery, and how it is packed for sale. A “yoga mat” could fall under different headings depending on whether it is made of rubber, plastic or foam.

2. Ask your supplier for the China export code

Your supplier, or the forwarder who makes the export declaration, uses a Chinese customs code for every shipment. Ask for it before you ship. The first 6 digits give you a strong starting point, and the product description on their export documents shows how the goods were described in China.

3. Search the official tariff of the destination country

Use the official lookup in the table above, not a random code list. Start from the 6-digit subheading, then read down to the national lines and pick the one that matches your product exactly. Many tools also show the duty rate for each line, so you can see the cost of importing before you order. For a worked UK example of duty and VAT, see importing from China to the UK.

4. Read the notes, not just the headings

Each section and chapter has legal notes that include or exclude certain goods, and these notes decide the classification as much as the heading text does. Check them before you settle on a code, especially for sets, parts, accessories and products made of mixed materials.

5. Confirm before the first shipment

If two codes seem to fit, ask a licensed customs broker in the destination country. For regular or high-value imports, you can apply for a binding decision from customs: a binding ruling from US Customs and Border Protection (past rulings are searchable in the CBP CROSS database), an Advance Tariff Ruling in the UK, or Binding Tariff Information (BTI) in the EU.

Examples: How Similar Products Get Different Codes

These examples show how material and function change the 6-digit code. They are illustrations only; always confirm the full national code in your country’s tariff.

Two products that look alike on a listing can pay very different duty. That is why the description on your invoice should say what the product is made of and what it does.

Can You Use the Supplier’s China HS Code?

Partly. The first 6 digits of the China code should match the code you declare at import, because they come from the same international system. The digits after that are national and can be different, so you cannot copy a 10-digit Chinese code into a US, UK, EU or Canadian import entry. Also remember that the supplier’s code was chosen for the Chinese export declaration. If the first 6 digits do not match the product as you understand it, raise it before the goods leave China.

Why the Right HS Code Matters

• Duty rates: the code sets the duty rate. For goods from China, it also decides whether extra duties apply, such as the US Section 301 tariffs. See our guide to US tariffs on Chinese goods.
• Rules and licences: some codes trigger extra checks, licences or product safety requirements at destination.
• Delays and penalties: a wrong code can lead to customs holds, back duty, penalties or goods being refused.
• Matching documents: the code, product description, quantity and value should be consistent across the export declaration in China, the commercial invoice and packing list, and the import entry. Mismatches are a common reason for questions from customs.

Common HS Code Mistakes

• Classifying by product name only. Marketing names like “smart”, “kit” or “organizer” say nothing about material or function, which is what customs looks at.
• Getting sets and kits wrong. Items packed together for retail sale are often classified by the item that gives the set its essential character, while items that are not a retail set may each need their own code.
• Treating parts as complete products. Parts and accessories often have different codes from the finished item.
• Forgetting batteries. A product that contains or comes with a battery may be classified differently and also needs dangerous-goods paperwork for transport. Read about shipping batteries from China.
• Using an old code. National tariffs change every year, and the HS itself changes with each new edition. Re-check codes you have used for a long time.
• Choosing a code for a lower duty rate. Customs can review entries after the goods are released and charge the difference plus penalties.

HS Code Checklist Before You Ship

1. Describe the product by material, function and whether it contains a battery.
2. Get the China export code from your supplier and compare the first 6 digits.
3. Look up the full code in the destination country’s official tariff.
4. Read the section and chapter notes for your heading.
5. Check extra duties for Chinese goods (for example US Section 301, EU or UK anti-dumping).
6. Confirm the code with your customs broker, or apply for a binding ruling for regular imports.
7. Use the same description and code on the invoice, packing list and declarations.

How JIEYI Helps with HS Codes

We are a freight forwarder in Dongguan handling export customs in China every day.

• Export declaration: before your goods leave China, we check that the code, product description, quantity and value on the supplier’s documents match each other and the cargo.
• DDP quotes: when you ship DDP (duties paid), we need the HS code to work out the duty, so we go through the code with you before we quote.
• Early warning: if the supplier’s code does not seem to fit the product, we tell you before shipping, so you can confirm it with your customs broker.

The final classification at destination is the responsibility of the importer or their customs broker. For the whole US process, see our guide to importing from China to the USA. If you are buying from China for the first time, our guides to FOB vs EXW and choosing a freight forwarder in China cover the other decisions you will need to make.

HS Code FAQ

What does HS code mean?

HS code means Harmonized System code: a number that identifies a product for customs. It is maintained by the World Customs Organization, and the first 6 digits are used in the same way by customs authorities around the world.

What is the difference between an HS code and an HTS code?

The HS code is the international 6-digit code. The HTS code is the 10-digit US version from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, which starts with the same 6 digits and adds US-specific digits for duty and statistics.

Who provides the HS code, the supplier or the importer?

Both use one. The supplier or its forwarder declares a Chinese code for export, and the importer or its customs broker declares the destination code for import. The importer is responsible for the code used at import, so do not rely only on the supplier.

Do I need an HS code for express or small parcels?

Usually yes. Express carriers ask for an HS code and a clear description on the commercial invoice for international shipments, and customs uses it to assess duty and taxes.

How many digits does an HS code have?

The international HS code has 6 digits. Countries add more: the US HTS code and the UK, Canadian and EU TARIC import codes have 10 digits, and the EU CN code has 8.

Where do I put the HS code on the commercial invoice?

On each product line, next to the description, quantity and value. If the invoice has several products, each line needs its own code.

What happens if I use the wrong HS code?

Customs can hold the goods, ask for more information, charge the correct duty later and add penalties. If you find a mistake yourself, speak to your customs broker about correcting it as soon as possible.

Once you have the right code, put it on every line of your commercial invoice and packing list.

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Checked on November 4, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice; always confirm the classification with the customs authority or a licensed customs broker in your country. Send us your product details and we will check the export code with your shipment quote.