Harmonized tariff schedule

What is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule?

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) is the official classification system that determines the tariff rates and statistical categories for all goods imported into the United States. It is maintained and published by the U.S. International Trade Commission and updated semi-annually.

The HTSUS contains more than 17,000 unique 10-digit classification codes. It is based on the international Harmonized Commodity Coding and Classification System—a framework used by nearly all countries to classify goods in global trade.

What is the harmonized system?

The harmonized system (HS) is an international goods classification system developed to standardize the coding of traded products across all participating countries. The World Customs Organization (WCO) administers it and updates it every five years.

The harmonized system is organized into 99 chapters arranged in 22 sections. Sections reflect broad industry categories; chapters reflect specific materials and products within those industries. A base harmonized system code uses four-digit headings and six-digit subheadings. Individual countries add digits beyond the six-digit base for their own tariff and statistical purposes—in the U.S., the full code is 10 digits.

The U.S. harmonized tariff schedule governs classification for imports and forms the basis for the U.S. export code as well.

What is an HTS code?

An HTS code is a 10-digit numerical code assigned to every good imported into the United States. The digits represent, in sequence:

• Chapter (two digits): the broad product category

• Heading (two additional digits): the specific product family within the chapter

• Subheading (two additional digits): a further breakdown within the heading

• U.S.-specific categorization (four additional digits): country-of-origin duty rates, statistical reporting and trade agreement eligibility

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses the HTS code to determine which duty rate applies to an imported good at the port of entry.

How to find an HTS code

The U.S. International Trade Commission provides a searchable, chapter-by-chapter listing of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Importers can access and search it at usitc.gov. For complex classifications, many importers work with a licensed customs broker to determine the correct code.