{"id":68872,"date":"2022-08-29T05:58:07","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T05:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/?page_id=68872"},"modified":"2025-01-12T11:30:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-12T11:30:31","slug":"what-is-an-hs-code","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/","title":{"rendered":"What is HS Code? HS Code Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns container w-auto is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"block-header-without-image d-flex flex-direction-column justify-content-center\">\n    <h2 class=\"fs-32 fw-700 fs-xs-28 not-for-table-content\" id=\"heading-what-is-hs-code-hs-code-explained\">\n        What is HS Code? HS Code Explained    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"d-grid grid-col-2 grid-col-xs-1\">\n                            <div class=\"\">\n                <div>Last updated on 12 Jan 2025<\/div>\n                <div>29 Aug 2022 . 5 min read<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"869\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024.jpg 869w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024-300x122.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024-768x311.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024-320x130.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024-370x150.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024-414x168.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024-600x243.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024-372x151.jpg 372w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024-450x182.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024-380x154.jpg 380w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024-285x115.jpg 285w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 869px) 100vw, 869px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns container w-auto is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"block-buttons bg-anti-flash-white rounded p-24 h-100 xs-h-auto\" style=\"background-color: #f2f5f7 !important;\">\n  <div class=\"d-grid grid-col-1 grid-col-xs-1 mb-12\">\n    <h4 class=\"not-for-table-content fs-24 fw-700\" id=\"heading-customs-procedures\">Customs Procedures<\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/\">\n        Introduction to Customs      <\/a>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/import-controls\/\">\n        Import Controls      <\/a>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/export-controls\/\">\n        Export Controls      <\/a>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/customs-clearance-process\/\">\n        Customs Clearance Process      <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns country-quick-link h-100 mb-0 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"block-buttons bg-anti-flash-white rounded p-24 h-100 xs-h-auto\" style=\"background-color: #ebf5f4 !important;\">\n  <div class=\"d-grid grid-col-1 grid-col-xs-1 mb-12\">\n    <h4 class=\"not-for-table-content fs-24 fw-700\" id=\"heading-codes-and-classification\">Codes and Classification<\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hsn-code\/\">\n        HSN Codes      <\/a>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/\">\n        HS Codes      <\/a>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-are-hts-codes\/\">\n        HTS Codes      <\/a>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/naics-north-american-industry-classification-system\/\">\n        NAICS Codes      <\/a>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/comparing-naics-to-sic-codes\/\">\n        NAICS vs SIC codes      <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"block-buttons bg-anti-flash-white rounded p-24 h-100 xs-h-auto\" style=\"background-color: #e5f5ff !important;\">\n  <div class=\"d-grid grid-col-1 grid-col-xs-1 mb-12\">\n    <h4 class=\"not-for-table-content fs-24 fw-700\" id=\"heading-documentation-certification\">Documentation &#038; Certification<\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/phytosanitary-certificates\/\">\n        Phytosanitary Certificates      <\/a>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/certificates-of-origin\/\">\n        Certificates of Origin      <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"block-buttons bg-anti-flash-white rounded p-24 h-100 xs-h-auto\" style=\"background-color: #E6FAFE !important;\">\n  <div class=\"d-grid grid-col-1 grid-col-xs-1 mb-12\">\n    <h4 class=\"not-for-table-content fs-24 fw-700\" id=\"heading-efficiency-tools\">Efficiency Tools<\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/single-window-systems\/\">\n        Single Window Systems      <\/a>\n          <a class=\"d-inline-block mr-10 mb-10 py-8 px-16 rounded bordered border-light text-black bg-white fs-14 fw-700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/customs-brokers\/\">\n        Customs Brokers      <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns container w-auto is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"bg-light-blue d-flex gap-16 h-auto p-16 rounded xs-flex-direction-column\">\n    <div class=\"\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" style=\"min-width:100px;max-width: 150px\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8590deab6809dc3b1f64ba6822e10098?s=160&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g\" class=\"w-100 rounded\">\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"col-span-2 col-span-xs-1\">\n    <div class=\"d-flex flex-direction-column gap-16 fs-16 justify-content-between\">\n      <div class=\"fs-16 fw-700\">Carter Hoffman<\/div>\n      <div class=\"fs-14 fw-400 elipsise-2-line\" title=\"Carter Hoffman is a Research Associate at Trade Finance Global focusing on the impact of macroeconomic trends and emerging technologies on international trade.\">\n        Carter Hoffman is a Research Associate at Trade Finance Global focusing on the impact of macroeconomic trends and emerging technologies on international trade.      <\/div>\n      <div>\n        <a class=\"text-black fs-12 small-link-arrow-right\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/posts\/?author=84\">\n          <span>\n            Latest Post          <\/span>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"block-cta max-w-100 p-32 h-auto rounded sm-w-60 dark-mode bg-black align wp-block-acf-block-cta\">\n  <h4 id=\"heading-access-trade-receivables-and-supply-chain-finance\" class=\"fs-24 fw-700 elipsise-2-line dark:color-white not-for-table-content\">\n    Access trade, receivables and supply chain finance  <\/h4>\n  <p class=\"block-subtitle dark:color-white\">We assist companies to access trade and receivables finance through our relationships with 270+ banks, funds and alternative finance houses.<\/p>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/get-trade-finance\/\" class=\"dark:text-black px-16 py-8 rounded bg-black text-white fs-14 fw-700 dark:bg-tale\">\n    <span>Get started<\/span>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-contents\">Contents<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"block-table-content h-auto bg-white auto\">\n    <ul class=\"table-content\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-harmonized-system-hs-codes\">Harmonized System (HS) codes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bg-tale rounded p-24 h-auto\" style=\"font-size:16px\">HS codes, accepted by the majority of nations around the world, are identification codes given to goods for use in international trade. The HS codes are administered by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and are internationally accepted for use by customs authorities and companies to identify goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column rounded p-24 h-auto has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:#e5f5ff\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-key-features-of-hs-codes\">Key features of HS codes:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Six digit code to classify the goods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Defined rules that classify the goods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Act as a uniform standard for classification of goods worldwide<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Covers 98% of goods in international trade and over 5000&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/commodity-trading\/\">commodities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-you-need-your-hs-codes\">Why you need your HS codes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The correct HS code for your goods will be required for use in legal and commercial documents when undertaking trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">Some examples of use are in sales contracts,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/freight-forwarding\/bill-of-lading-bl-bol\/\">bills of lading<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/letters-of-credit\/\">letters of credit<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/freight-forwarding\/certificates-of-origin\/\">certificates of origin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">Some of these legal and commercial documents are needed when&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/get-trade-finance\/\">applying for trade finance.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">HS codes are also used by customs authorities to apply tariffs and taxes to goods and keep track of imports and exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hs-general-rules\">HS general rules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The WCO has a comprehensive classification system for HS codes. The goods will fall under a section and follow onto chapters, headings, and sub-headings, each step increasing in specificity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">There are 21 sections, 99 chapters, 1,244 headings, and 5,224 sub-headings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The anatomy of an HS Code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First two digits: Chapter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Second two digits: Heading<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Final two digits: Sub-heading<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>Classifying your goods<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">Using the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcotradetools.org\/en\/harmonized-system\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WCO Harmonized System webpage<\/a>&nbsp;you can identify the HS code for your goods with their classification key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>Example: HS code for roasted caffeinated coffee<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"953\" height=\"598\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-106725\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode.jpg 953w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-768x482.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-320x201.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-370x232.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-414x260.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-478x300.jpg 478w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-319x200.jpg 319w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-398x250.jpg 398w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-258x162.jpg 258w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-253x159.jpg 253w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-196x123.jpg 196w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hscode-285x179.jpg 285w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 953px) 100vw, 953px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The HS code for \u2018roasted caffeinated coffee\u2019 would be (0901.21).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>The general rules<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The general rules will guide traders in classifying their goods which will give them the most appropriate HS code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">There are six general rules that guide traders to classify their goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>GR1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GR2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GR3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GR4<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GR5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GR6<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">For more information visit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcotradetools.org\/en\/harmonized-system\/rules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WCO trade tools<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2022-updates-to-the-hs-codes\">2022 updates to the HS codes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The WCO updates its HS code system every five years. The purpose of this is to adapt to the evolving needs of the global trade environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">In January 2022, the WCO published the 7th edition of the HS, with slight&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.wcoomd.org\/en\/topics\/nomenclature\/instrument-and-tools\/hs-nomenclature-2022-edition\/amendments-effective-from-1-january-2022.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">amendments to the HS code rules.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The speed of uptake between countries has varied, however large trading blocs such as the EU updated their systems on January 1, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">Before exporting or importing check that your goods are correctly classified and that they meet the requirements of the customs authorities along your trade route as well as when using the codes in your relevant legal and commercial documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-practical-use-of-hs-codes\">Practical use of HS codes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">You may have seen product codes that are longer than the 6 codes used in the HS. This is because different countries will have different additions to HS codes to convey important information about the good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">For most customs authorities, the first 6 codes of their goods classification will be the HS code, with any following digits based on their own coded system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>Example of HS codes use in international trade&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The United States\u2019 classification (Schedule B), has a total of 10 digits; the first 6 are the HS codes and the following 4 are decided by the US Census Bureau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The US Department of Commerce advises that you need the HS code, the US Schedule B code, and the export destination country\u2019s product code before you can export your goods successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"438\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-1024x438.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-106726\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-1024x438.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-300x128.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-768x328.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-700x300.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-320x137.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-370x158.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-414x177.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-600x257.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-372x159.jpg 372w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-450x192.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-380x162.jpg 380w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade-285x122.jpg 285w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/international-trade.jpg 1230w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-originating-and-non-originating-goods\">Originating and non-originating goods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">HS codes are an important part of multiple challenges in international trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">One key challenge is identifying whether a good is originating or non-originating, which can affect the tariff given to a product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">Here\u2019s why it\u2019s important: If you want to make the most of a free trade area (FTA) your goods may need to meet the rules of origin standards for the FTA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">For example, for your good to be tariff-free, it might need to be \u2018wholly obtained\u2019 giving it origination status from within your FTA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">Originating status can be classified by a changed commodity code from the imported inputs to final exported goods. This would mean that the inputs used to produce the good you\u2019re exporting can be of non-originating status, so long as the final good being exported is classified under a different commodity code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">This can be applied to different levels of HS codes including at the chapter, heading, and sub-headings levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>Change of chapter (CC):&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">One example of this, would be the Change of chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">If you import a wristwatch (chapter 91&nbsp;<em>Clocks and watches and parts thereof<\/em>) from another country outside of the FTA (a non-originating good), but your value-added does not change the original HS Chapter in the goods HS Code, your watch may not meet origination standards and therefore will not gain access to preferential tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">However, you can import goods outside of the FTA (non-originating goods) that are under different chapters such as aluminium (chapter 76&nbsp;<em>Aluminium and articles thereof<\/em>) and use this to produce a watch that meets the HS Chapters classification for watch (chapter 91&nbsp;<em>Clocks and watches and parts thereof<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The change in chapter means that your goods can be classified as originating, despite using non-originating goods. They would therefore be eligible for the preferential tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>Key points to remember with HS codes and Originating status<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">To meet these requirements you need to know the HS code of the good you\u2019re exporting, the inputs used in producing the good as well as their countries of origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">To get the correct coding for your goods and originating status it is best to check the rules of your local customs authority as well as the customs authority of the destination for the export.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tools\">Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">To get your classification codes correct here are some tools to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The WCO offers&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.wcoomd.org\/en\/topics\/nomenclature\/instrument-and-tools\/tools-to-assist-with-the-classification-in-the-hs\/hs-online.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trade tools<\/a>, which act as a central database that includes HS and the Rules of Origin, including updates of HS codes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-importance-of-hs-codes-in-international-trade\">The importance of HS codes in international trade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The acceptance and versatility of the HS code as a universal economic language and code for goods has made it an indispensable tool for international trade, incorporated into many customs clearance systems around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>Customs procedures<\/strong><br>Using the correct HS code and the right interpretation is of utmost importance, as usage of incorrect code may be considered by customs as non-compliance, misleading or misdeclaration \u2013 each of which comes with its associated penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">Using the correct HS code can be quite tricky in specific instances, as an interpretation of the codes may vary between countries and customs authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">Improper usage of the HS code could result in an improper tariff being applied by customs, which can increase the cost of imports to the customer exponentially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>Trade statistics<\/strong><br>The uniform codes also allow for use in tracking trade statistics. In addition to governments, the code is also used by private-sector firms and international organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">It is utilized to monitor, update, and optimize controlled goods, internal taxes, rules of origin, trade policies, transport statistics, freight tariffs, a compilation of national accounts, quota controls, price monitoring, traffic statistics, and economic research and analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>Transferring trade information<\/strong><br>HS codes are used extensively in electronic messages like the United Nations rules for Electronic Data Interchange for Administration Commerce and Transport (UN\/EDIFACT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">This has made it easier for the system to become a worldwide standard for describing a good across various platforms. Its nearly universal usage allows authorities such as port and customs departments to identify the products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-other-product-standards\">Other product standards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">Depending on your type of goods and business, you made need other product codes when trading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gs1.org\/standards\/id-keys\/gtin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GS1 Standards<\/a>&nbsp;is a database that includes the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). This can be encoded into barcodes for use in commerce to easily identify goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bg-anti-flash-white rounded p-24 h-auto\" style=\"font-size:16px\">For e-commerce traders, Google now prefers the use of GTIN product identifiers when using \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/merchants\/answer\/6324461?hl=en-GB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google for Retail<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-testimonials\">Testimonials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bg-anti-flash-white rounded p-24 h-auto\" style=\"font-size:16px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/freight-forwarding\/what-is-an-hsn-code\/\">HSN Codes<\/a>&nbsp;were required by a distributor of chemicals from Mumbai in order to check tax information and pay the correct amounts in accordance with local regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column bg-tale rounded p-24 h-auto is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-case-study\"><strong>Case Study<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"block-content align bg-white rounded p-24 h-auto wp-block-acf-block-content\"style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF;color: #002F4D;\"\n>\n    <p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-106729 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"993\" height=\"662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals.jpg 993w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-285x190.jpg 285w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-414x276.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-243x162.jpg 243w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-239x159.jpg 239w, https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/non-pharmaceutical-chemicals-185x123.jpg 185w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"member-role\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Chemical Distributor<\/h4>\n<p>TFG put us in touch with expert HS experts so that we could\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/freight-forwarding\/shipping-management-software\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">ship<\/a>\u00a0our chemical goods across the state and also pay the appropriate taxes to the government.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"full-width block-grid_topics dark-mode\" data-block=\"grid_topics\" data-theme=\"dark\">\n  <div class=\"block-topics\">\n    <h1 class=\"container w-auto fs-xs-20 mb-xs-20 not-for-table-content\"><\/h1>\n    <div class=\"control container w-auto clearfix topic-tabs position-relative\">\n              <ul class=\"tabs tabs-horizontal d-inline-block mb-30\">\n                      <li class=\"px-24 py-12 fs-16 fs-xs-14 active\"\n            data-post-type=\"page\"\n            data-source=\"topic\"\n            data-limit=\"14\"\n            data-include=\"\"\n            data-cat=\"8428,11052,851,6135\"\n            data-cat-relationship=\"in\"\n            data-key-category=\"\"\n            data-link=\"\"\n            data-link-title=\"\"\n            default-link=\"\"\n            default-btn-text=\"\">\n              Customs Resources            <\/li>\n                      <li class=\"px-24 py-12 fs-16 fs-xs-14 \"\n            data-post-type=\"post\"\n            data-source=\"topic\"\n            data-limit=\"14\"\n            data-include=\"\"\n            data-cat=\"8428\"\n            data-cat-relationship=\"in\"\n            data-key-category=\"\"\n            data-link=\"\"\n            data-link-title=\"\"\n            default-link=\"\"\n            default-btn-text=\"\">\n              All Customs Topics            <\/li>\n                      <li class=\"px-24 py-12 fs-16 fs-xs-14 \"\n            data-post-type=\"post\"\n            data-source=\"topic\"\n            data-limit=\"14\"\n            data-include=\"\"\n            data-cat=\"8428,11052,851,6135\"\n            data-cat-relationship=\"combined\"\n            data-key-category=\"2827\"\n            data-link=\"\"\n            data-link-title=\"\"\n            default-link=\"\"\n            default-btn-text=\"\">\n              Podcasts            <\/li>\n                      <li class=\"px-24 py-12 fs-16 fs-xs-14 \"\n            data-post-type=\"post\"\n            data-source=\"topic\"\n            data-limit=\"14\"\n            data-include=\"\"\n            data-cat=\"11052,851,6135,8428\"\n            data-cat-relationship=\"combined\"\n            data-key-category=\"3525,10707\"\n            data-link=\"\"\n            data-link-title=\"\"\n            default-link=\"\"\n            default-btn-text=\"\">\n              Videos            <\/li>\n                      <li class=\"px-24 py-12 fs-16 fs-xs-14 \"\n            data-post-type=\"conference\"\n            data-source=\"topic\"\n            data-limit=\"14\"\n            data-include=\"\"\n            data-cat=\"8428,11052,6135,851\"\n            data-cat-relationship=\"combined\"\n            data-key-category=\"2148\"\n            data-link=\"\"\n            data-link-title=\"\"\n            default-link=\"\"\n            default-btn-text=\"\">\n              Conferences            <\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n            <select class=\"topics-sort d-hidden\">\n        <option value=\"title-asc\">A-Z<\/option>\n        <option value=\"date-desc\" selected>Latest<\/option>\n      <\/select>\n      <div class=\"border-light-blue bg-white fs-16 fw-700 pointer bordered dark:bg-maastricht-blue position-absolute rounded-md sorting-dropdown px-16 py-10\">\n        <span class=\"display-value d-block\">Latest<\/span>\n        <div class=\"border-light-blue bordered options-to-select overflow-hidden rounded-md w-100 d-hidden\">\n          <span class=\"d-block py-10 px-16 pointer single-option\"\n          data-value=\"title-asc\">A-Z<\/span>\n          <span class=\"d-block py-10 px-16 pointer single-option\" data-value=\"date-desc\">Latest<\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"block-wrapper clearfix overflow-hidden max-w-100\">\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"bottom-buttons d-flex clearfix container w-auto\">\n      <a href=\"\" class=\"custom-link button-standart button-standart-blue\">\n        <span><\/span>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Harmonized System (HS) codes HS codes, accepted by the majority of nations around the world, are identification codes given to goods for use in international trade. The HS codes are\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/\" class=\"read-more-link\">read more &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":110627,"parent":68532,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8428,851],"class_list":["post-68872","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-customs","category-freight-forwarding"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v24.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is HS Code? HS Code Explained [UPDATED 2025]<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"[UPDATED 2025] HS stands for Harmonized System. It was developed by the WCO (World Customs Organization) as a multipurpose international product nomenclature that describes the type of good that is shipped. Today, customs officers must use HS code to clear every commodity that enters or crosses any international borders.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is HS Code? HS Code Explained\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"[UPDATED 2025] HS stands for Harmonized System. It was developed by the WCO (World Customs Organization) as a multipurpose international product nomenclature that describes the type of good that is shipped. Today, customs officers must use HS code to clear every commodity that enters or crosses any international borders.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Trade Finance Global\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tradefinanceglobal\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-12T11:30:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"869\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"352\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@tradefinglobal\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/\",\"name\":\"What is HS Code? HS Code Explained [UPDATED 2025]\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-08-29T05:58:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-12T11:30:31+00:00\",\"description\":\"[UPDATED 2025] HS stands for Harmonized System. It was developed by the WCO (World Customs Organization) as a multipurpose international product nomenclature that describes the type of good that is shipped. Today, customs officers must use HS code to clear every commodity that enters or crosses any international borders.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024.jpg\",\"width\":869,\"height\":352},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Customs\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"What is HS Code? HS Code Explained\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/\",\"name\":\"Trade Finance Global\",\"description\":\"Transforming Trade, Treasury &amp; Payments\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Trade Finance Global\",\"alternateName\":\"TFG\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/cropped-TFG-Logo-scaled-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/cropped-TFG-Logo-scaled-1.jpg\",\"width\":1300,\"height\":722,\"caption\":\"Trade Finance Global\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tradefinanceglobal\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/tradefinglobal\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tradefinance\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/trade-finance-global\",\"https:\/\/uk.pinterest.com\/tradefinanceglo\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/tradefinanceglobal\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What is HS Code? HS Code Explained [UPDATED 2025]","description":"[UPDATED 2025] HS stands for Harmonized System. It was developed by the WCO (World Customs Organization) as a multipurpose international product nomenclature that describes the type of good that is shipped. Today, customs officers must use HS code to clear every commodity that enters or crosses any international borders.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"What is HS Code? HS Code Explained","og_description":"[UPDATED 2025] HS stands for Harmonized System. It was developed by the WCO (World Customs Organization) as a multipurpose international product nomenclature that describes the type of good that is shipped. Today, customs officers must use HS code to clear every commodity that enters or crosses any international borders.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/","og_site_name":"Trade Finance Global","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tradefinanceglobal","article_modified_time":"2025-01-12T11:30:31+00:00","og_image":[{"width":869,"height":352,"url":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@tradefinglobal","twitter_misc":{"Estimated reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/","url":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/","name":"What is HS Code? HS Code Explained [UPDATED 2025]","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024.jpg","datePublished":"2022-08-29T05:58:07+00:00","dateModified":"2025-01-12T11:30:31+00:00","description":"[UPDATED 2025] HS stands for Harmonized System. It was developed by the WCO (World Customs Organization) as a multipurpose international product nomenclature that describes the type of good that is shipped. Today, customs officers must use HS code to clear every commodity that enters or crosses any international borders.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/What-is-HS-Code_-HS-Code-Explained-UPDATED-2024.jpg","width":869,"height":352},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/what-is-an-hs-code\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Customs","item":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/customs\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What is HS Code? HS Code Explained"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/","name":"Trade Finance Global","description":"Transforming Trade, Treasury &amp; Payments","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#organization","name":"Trade Finance Global","alternateName":"TFG","url":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/cropped-TFG-Logo-scaled-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/cropped-TFG-Logo-scaled-1.jpg","width":1300,"height":722,"caption":"Trade Finance Global"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tradefinanceglobal","https:\/\/x.com\/tradefinglobal","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tradefinance\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/trade-finance-global","https:\/\/uk.pinterest.com\/tradefinanceglo\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/tradefinanceglobal"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68872","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/84"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68872"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":137985,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68872\/revisions\/137985"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68532"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tradefinanceglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}