GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Customs Tariff Number (HS Code)
When goods arrive at customs, the HS code is the first question every broker must answer correctly.
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Source: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/overview/what-is-the-harmonized-system.aspx
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Definition & Explanation
When goods arrive at customs, the HS code is the first question every broker must answer correctly. The Harmonized System (HS) code is an internationally standardized commodity classification system developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), using a six-digit number to identify goods for tariff, trade control, and statistical purposes across nearly all countries. The EU extends it to eight digits as the Combined Nomenclature (CN) and further to ten digits in the TARIC database used for import declarations. Misclassification triggers duty recalculations, penalties, and potential cargo holds – making accurate HS classification a core compliance obligation for importers, exporters, and freight forwarders alike.
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