GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 24, 2026

Import Harmonized Tariff Schedules (HTS)

Accurate customs clearance starts with the right commodity code, and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) provides exactly that framework.

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Last updated: 24 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://hts.usitc.gov

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

Accurate customs clearance starts with the right commodity code, and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) provides exactly that framework. It assigns each imported product a code derived from the World Customs Organization's Harmonized System (HS) and identifies the applicable import duty rate. Most countries extend the internationally standardised six-digit HS base with national subdivisions; the United States, for example, uses a ten-digit HTS code. In day-to-day customs and freight forwarding practice, correct classification is non-negotiable: misclassification leads to incorrect duty assessments, regulatory penalties, and delays in cargo release. The HTS also serves as the statistical backbone for official foreign trade reporting.

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Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen Calculate transit timeEstimate duration per transport modeOpen

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Import Harmonized Tariff Schedules (HTS)

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