HS code: the international 6-digit standard
The Harmonized System (HS) code is a 6-digit international standard maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO). Every WCO member country uses the same 6-digit HS code for the same product. The first 2 digits are the chapter (e.g., 85 = electrical equipment), the next 2 are the heading (e.g., 8504 = static converters), and the last 2 are the subheading (e.g., 8504.40 = static converters, other).
- 6 digits: international standard used by all WCO members
- Maintained by the World Customs Organization
- Used for trade statistics, documentation, and international reference
- The same HS code applies to the same product in every country
Tariff code: the country-specific 8-10 digit extension
A tariff code is the country-specific extension of the HS code, typically 8-10 digits. Countries add national subdivisions to the 6-digit HS code to set duty rates, apply trade measures, and collect statistics. For example, in the US, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) extends the 6-digit HS to 10 digits. The EU uses the Combined Nomenclature (CN) with 8 digits. The UK uses the UK Trade Tariff with 10 digits.
- 8-10 digits: country-specific extension of the HS code
- US HTS: 10 digits (e.g., 8504.40.95.40)
- EU CN: 8 digits (e.g., 8504 40 95)
- UK Trade Tariff: 10 digits (e.g., 8504 40 9500)
- Used to calculate duty and apply trade measures
When to use HS code vs tariff code
Use the 6-digit HS code for international trade documents, supplier communications, and cross-border references. Use the full national tariff code (8-10 digits) when calculating duty, filing customs entries, or checking trade measures in a specific destination country. The HS code is the starting point; the tariff code is the operational code.
- Supplier invoices: use 6-digit HS code
- Cross-border trade documents: use 6-digit HS code
- US customs entry: use 10-digit HTS code
- EU customs entry: use 8-digit CN code
- UK customs entry: use 10-digit UK Trade Tariff code
- Duty calculation: use the full national tariff code
How HS code and tariff code work together
The 6-digit HS code is the foundation. Countries build their national tariff by adding digits after the 6-digit HS code. For example, HS 8504.40 (static converters) becomes 8504.40.95.40 in the US HTS, 8504 40 95 in the EU CN, and 8504 40 9500 in the UK Trade Tariff. The first 6 digits are identical across all three; the national extensions differ.
- HS 8504.40 → US HTS 8504.40.95.40
- HS 8504.40 → EU CN 8504 40 95
- HS 8504.40 → UK Trade Tariff 8504 40 9500
- The first 6 digits are always the same
- National extensions add duty rates and trade measures
Common confusion: HS code, HTS code, and tariff code
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have specific meanings. HS code is the 6-digit international standard. HTS code is the US 10-digit extension. Tariff code is a general term for the country-specific code used to calculate duty. When a supplier provides an HS code, they usually mean the 6-digit standard. When a customs broker asks for a tariff code, they usually mean the full national code.
- HS code: 6-digit international standard
- HTS code: 10-digit US extension (Harmonized Tariff Schedule)
- CN code: 8-digit EU extension (Combined Nomenclature)
- Tariff code: general term for the country-specific code
- Always verify which code is needed for the destination
Ecommerce example
A Shopify seller imports USB-C chargers from China to the US. The supplier provides HS code 8504.40 (static converters). For the US customs entry, the seller needs the 10-digit HTS code: 8504.40.95.40. The first 6 digits match the supplier HS code; the last 4 digits are the US-specific extension. The duty rate is calculated using the 10-digit HTS code.
How to use this in TariffCatalog
TariffCatalog provides 6-digit HS code candidates as preparation aids. Before filing or shipping, verify the full national tariff code in the destination tariff database. Use the AI HS Code Finder for candidates, then cross-reference with the destination source.
- Use the AI HS Code Finder for 6-digit HS code candidates
- Verify the full national code in the destination tariff (USITC HTS, EU TARIC, UK Trade Tariff)
- Use the Import Duty Calculator with the full national code
- Document the candidate HS code and the verified national code in the same record