GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

Customs code

The moment goods cross a border, the customs code – the tariff number under the Harmonized System (HS) maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO) – determines applicable duty rates, import restrictions, and rules of origin.

Quick Answer

Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/overview/what-is-the-harmonized-system.aspx

Category

Find a matching partner on this lane

Reading time

1 min

Words

148

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

The moment goods cross a border, the customs code – the tariff number under the Harmonized System (HS) maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO) – determines applicable duty rates, import restrictions, and rules of origin. The HS provides a six-digit foundation used worldwide; the EU extends this to eight digits in the Combined Nomenclature (CN) and to ten digits in TARIC, which captures additional measures such as anti-dumping duties. Freight forwarders and customs brokers classify goods based on product description, material composition, and intended use – a task that demands real expertise, since many products could credibly fall under more than one heading. Misclassification can result in duty arrears, fines, cargo holds, or the loss of preferential tariff treatment. The HS code should not be confused with export control classification numbers, which share the same base structure but diverge at the national level beyond the sixth digit.

Next steps

Matching tools and partners

Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen Find a matching partnerFreight forwarders and logistics partners worldwideOpen

Related Terms

You might also be interested in these terms

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code)

When a freight forwarder is tasked with shipping benzene by container vessel from Rotterdam to Singapore, the IMDG Code is the fir…

Code list

A code list is a published register of the permitted key values for a particular data element of an electronic message. Instead of…

Airline code

Two parallel coding systems exist to identify airlines unambiguously across booking, cargo, and billing platforms: the two-letter …

International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)

The ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code) entered into force in 2004 as a mandatory amendment to the SOLA…

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Carrier Regulations

When an LPG carrier calls at port or conducts offshore cargo operations, a binding international framework takes effect – first an…

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

At every stage where dangerous goods meet a vessel – booking, packing, documentation, stowage planning – the IMDG Code sets the ru…

Connect

Find a matching partner on this lane

Verified forwarders, ranked by coverage and profile — premium capped at 10%.

Search partners

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.

Community Questions & Answers

Share your knowledge, ask follow-up questions, or add practical insights to this page. Every contribution is moderated before publication.

No community answers yet. Be the first.