Harmonized Tariff Schedule

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule is administrated by the World Customs Organization

 (WCO) and is updated every five years. It serves as the foundation for the import and export classification systems used in the United States and by many trading partners.   

The Harmonized Schedule assigns specific six-digit codes for varying classifications and commodities. Countries are allowed to add longer codes to the first six digits for further classification.  

The United States uses a 10-digit code to classify products for export, known as a Schedule B number, with the first six digits being the HS number. There is a Schedule B number for every physical product, from paper clips to airplanes. The Schedule B is administered by the U.S. Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Division.  

How You Use the HS Code 

You will need both the U.S. Schedule B number and the foreign country’s version of the HS code for your product during the export process. You use it to:    

Classify physical goods for shipment to a foreign country; 

Report shipments in the Automated Export System (AES) when the value is more than $2,500, or the item requires a license. 

Complete required shipping documentation such as shipper’s letter of instructions, commercial invoice or certificate of origin; 

Determine import tariff (duty) rates and figure out if a product qualifies for a preferential tariff under a free trade agreement; 

Conduct market research and obtain trade statistics; 

Comply with United States law, where applicable. 

If your product is difficult to classify, the Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) database can help you find its Schedule B code. Customs Rulings Online Search System  contains official, legally binding rulings from other exporters and importers  requests for Schedule B codes. Use this database to determine whether other exporters or importers requested a ruling on the same or a similar product and, if so, what that ruling was.