# HS Classification

*Last updated: 2026-06-24*

> When a shipment arrives at customs, the first question is always: what HS code applies?

When a shipment arrives at customs, the first question is always: what HS code applies? HS Classification is the process of assigning goods to a position within the Harmonized System (HS), the World Customs Organization's (WCO) internationally standardized nomenclature built on six-digit commodity codes. Each code groups products by material composition, form, and degree of processing—which is why raw cocoa beans and finished milk chocolate fall into entirely different chapters despite sharing the same origin. Customs brokers, freight forwarders, and exporters carry out classification before lodging a declaration; the resulting code determines the applicable duty rate, import prohibitions, rules of origin, and statistical reporting obligations. Misclassification exposes the declarant to duty surcharges, shipment holds, or cargo seizure.

**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 | HS Classification |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 117 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-24 |
| Source | https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/overview/what-is-the-harmonized-system.aspx |

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