# HS Code

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> The moment goods cross a border, the HS Code becomes the central reference point: it determines the applicable customs duty rate, any import or export restrictions, and how the shipment is recorded in trade statistics.

The moment goods cross a border, the HS Code becomes the central reference point: it determines the applicable customs duty rate, any import or export restrictions, and how the shipment is recorded in trade statistics. The HS Code (Harmonized System) is a six-digit commodity nomenclature administered by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and applied by around 200 countries worldwide. Its structure is hierarchical: the first two digits identify the chapter (e.g. 84 for machinery), the next two the heading, and the final two the subheading. Many countries extend the six-digit base to eight or ten digits for national tariff purposes – in the EU this produces the Combined Nomenclature (CN), while the US uses the ten-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). Misclassification can trigger duty reassessments, border delays, or penalties, making correct tariff classification a core customs competency.

**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 Code |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 137 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/overview/what-is-the-harmonized-system.aspx |

## Related Pages

* [Thailand](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/th)
* [United Arab Emirates](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ae)

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