# Commodity code

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> Every product crossing a customs border must be assigned a commodity code, which determines the applicable tariff rate and any import or export restrictions.

Every product crossing a customs border must be assigned a commodity code, which determines the applicable tariff rate and any import or export restrictions. The system is anchored in the Harmonized System (HS) maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO), providing standardised six-digit codes recognised in more than 200 countries. National authorities extend these codes further – the EU uses the Combined Nomenclature at eight digits and, for specific trade policy measures, the full ten-digit TARIC code, which is mandatory in electronic customs declarations. Misclassification can trigger duty adjustments, cargo holds, or formal investigations, making accurate tariff classification a core competency for customs brokers and freight forwarders. The term is often used interchangeably with tariff number, though in some jurisdictions the latter refers specifically to the fully extended national code.

**Source:** [https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/overview/what-is-the-harmonized-system.aspx](https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/overview/what-is-the-harmonized-system.aspx)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Commodity code |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 130 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/overview/what-is-the-harmonized-system.aspx |

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