HS Code Lookup Guide — How to Find the Right Tariff Code for Your Product

Every parcel crossing an international border is identified by a Harmonised System (HS) code — a 6-digit number that tells customs what the goods are, what duty rate applies, and whether any restrictions or prohibitions exist. Get it right and your parcel clears automatically. Get it wrong and you face delays, wrong charges, or a hold.

This guide explains what HS codes are, how to find the correct one, and which tools to use for the EU, UK, and USA.

1. What is an HS code and why does it matter?

The Harmonised System is an international goods classification maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO). Over 200 countries use the same 6-digit base — which means HS 6110 (knitted pullovers) means the same thing to customs in Germany, the UK, the USA, and Japan.

Each country adds extra digits for national specificity:

• EU: 8 digits (Combined Nomenclature, CN) — the extra 2 digits add EU-specific sub-categories
• UK: 10 digits (UK Global Tariff) — post-Brexit UK has its own extension
• USA: 10 digits (HTS — Harmonized Tariff Schedule)

When filling out customs forms (CN22, CN23, commercial invoices), use the destination country’s code length. For EU imports, use the 8-digit CN code. The first 6 digits are universal.

2. How to find the correct HS code

The correct method depends on destination:

For EU destinations — TARIC database

The official EU tool is the TARIC database at ec.europa.eu. It shows:

• The 8-digit CN code
• The standard duty rate
• Preferential rates (if the origin country has an EU trade agreement)
• Any anti-dumping duties (relevant for Chinese goods)

Alternative: use the simpler keyword search at Access2Markets — enter product description and destination country to get the full duty calculation in one step.

For UK destinations — Trade Tariff

Since Brexit, the UK operates its own tariff schedule. Use trade-tariff.service.gov.uk. The tool has a guided commodity finder — answer questions about your product category and it narrows down to the correct 10-digit code with the applicable UK Global Tariff rate.

Important: UK duty rates differ from EU rates since Brexit. For example, clothing from outside the UK/EU carries 12% in the EU and approximately 12% in the UK — similar but not always identical. Always check the UK tariff specifically for UK shipments.

For USA destinations — HTS database

The US Harmonized Tariff Schedule is at hts.usitc.gov. The USA has a high de minimis threshold ($800 under Section 321) — meaning most personal parcels from Europe under $800 enter duty-free. Above $800, the HTS code determines the duty rate.

For B2B commercial shipments to the USA, the HS code is always required regardless of value.

3. Common HS codes for e-commerce goods

4. What NOT to write on customs forms

These descriptions trigger manual inspection or automatic holds:

• “Miscellaneous goods” or “Various items” — never accepted. Describe each item specifically.
• ”Gift” as the only description — write what the gift actually is: “knitted wool scarf, gift”.
• HS 9999 — a catch-all code used by lazy shippers. Customs holds these automatically in most countries.
• Understated values — “value €1” on a €200 jacket. Customs uses reference price databases and will reassess the value. The consequences range from reclassification to fraud charges.

5. Preferential duty rates — trade agreements

The EU has trade agreements with many countries that reduce or eliminate duty rates for goods originating in those countries. Key ones relevant to e-commerce:

• EU–South Korea FTA: Many electronics and manufactured goods at 0% (requires origin certificate)
• EU–Japan EPA: Reduced rates for Japanese goods including electronics and machinery
• EU–UK TCA: Post-Brexit trade agreement — 0% duty on UK-origin goods entering EU (and vice versa), but requires proof of UK origin (Rules of Origin)
• GSP (Generalised Scheme of Preferences): Reduced rates for developing countries — applies to many goods from India, Bangladesh, Vietnam

To claim a preferential rate, you need a proof of origin document (EUR.1 certificate, statement on origin, or REX registration). Without it, the standard duty rate applies even if the goods qualify.

Conclusion

Finding the right HS code takes 10–20 minutes the first time and 2 minutes once you know your product range. The investment is worth it: correct HS codes mean automatic customs clearance, correct duty charges, and no angry customers waiting for held parcels.

For recurring product types, save your HS codes in a spreadsheet alongside each SKU. For EU e-commerce sellers using IOSS, the HS code is a required field in IOSS VAT declarations — consistent codes also simplify monthly reporting.