- Check the HS code field in the product editor for each SKU or in the CSV export.
- Check the country of origin field for the product and for each variant.
- Review the product description field. Replace marketing wording with material + function + product type.
- Check whether a market-specific tariff number field is available for the destination market.
- Verify weight and dimension fields reflect actual packaged weight.
- Use the CSV export to audit all products at once and identify missing or weak fields.
- Fill or correct missing fields before creating international labels, commercial invoices, or duty estimates.
Guide
Which Shopify Customs Information Fields to Check Before International Shipping
Checklist of Shopify product fields that affect customs data quality: HS code, country of origin, customs description, tariff number, and related variant fields.
Answer Summary
Preparation checklist
Shopify stores product data fields that feed directly into customs documents and duty calculations.
The most important fields for international shipping are HS code, country of origin, and product description.
Check all relevant fields before the first international label, invoice, or duty estimate.
Use this workflow
Required fields or decision table
Fields to prepare before the document draft
| Field or decision | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| HS code / tariff number | The HS code field identifies the product category for customs review. It may be labeled "HS Code," "HTS Code," or "Tariff Number" depending on Shopify version and market. |
| Country of origin | The country where the product was manufactured or substantially transformed. May appear as "Country of Origin," "COO," or "Country." Required for commercial invoices and customs declarations. |
| Product description for customs | The field used for invoice and customs description. Shopify's default product description is written for shoppers; customs needs material + function + product type. |
| Country of origin per variant | When variants are manufactured in different countries, each variant row needs its own country of origin. Check the variant-level COO field, not only the parent product field. |
| Weight and dimensions | Gross weight and dimensions affect carrier calculations, duty basis, and postal form thresholds. Enter actual weight, not estimated weight, for accuracy. |
| Tariff number (market-specific) | Some Shopify markets require a market-specific tariff number field. Check whether the destination market Shopify is configured for adds a market-level tariff field to the export. |
Step-by-step preparation
How to prepare the draft
Ecommerce example
How this looks in a seller workflow
A Shopify seller preparing to ship internationally reviews the product editor for a bestselling phone case. The HS code field is blank, country of origin shows the store location (not the production country), and the description reads "Premium Protective Case." The seller fills in the HS code candidate (8523.52 for plastic phone cases), corrects country of origin to the actual production country, and updates the description to "plastic phone protective case, no battery."
Verification checklist
Review the draft before it travels with the shipment
Before a document draft is used, compare it against the order record, product catalog, carrier label, and any destination-specific instructions. The preparation checklist should confirm parties, shipment channel, item descriptions, value, currency, quantity, weight, origin, HS code candidate, and any package or reference fields.
What is required depends on shipment value, carrier, destination, and product facts, so a field that is optional in one postal or carrier workflow may be required in another. When a draft supports a repeated SKU, save the checked inputs with the product record so future shipments start from reviewed data.
Use the draft as a review artifact: it should make weak descriptions, missing origin, inconsistent values, and unsupported HS code candidates easy to spot before the parcel is handed to a postal operator, carrier, marketplace label flow, or freight team.
Common mistakes
What to avoid
- Shipping internationally without checking whether HS code and country of origin fields are filled.
- Leaving the product description as a marketing title instead of a customs-grade description.
- Filling country of origin on the parent product but leaving all variant rows blank.
- Assuming the field name in the CSV matches the Shopify product editor field name.
- Treating all phone accessories as one product type and using one HS code across different materials.
- Skipping the weight field because the carrier provides estimates at checkout.
Editorial
Editorial review note
Written by the TariffCatalog Editorial Team for ecommerce document preparation workflows. The page is designed as a preparation checklist, not a filing outcome.
Maintained by Ryan Cole, with review focused on ecommerce catalog, document, and source-check workflow clarity.
Document requirements may be required differently by carrier, destination, shipment value, and product facts. Use the methodology, sources, and corrections pages to understand how the page is maintained.
Official source note
References to verify
Use official sources, carrier guidance, postal operator rules, and destination requirements to verify before filing or shipping.
USITC HTS
Use this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
CBPUse this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
EU TARICUse this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
UK Trade TariffUse this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
FAQ
Common questions
Which Shopify fields affect customs data?
The fields that most affect customs data are HS code (or tariff number), country of origin, product description, and weight. Check these in the product editor, bulk editor, or CSV export before creating international labels or invoices.
Where do I find the HS code field in Shopify?
The HS code field may be labeled "HS Code," "HTS Code," or "Tariff Number" depending on Shopify version and configured markets. It usually appears in the product editor under Shipping, or in the CSV export as "HS Code" or "HTS."
Should I check country of origin per variant?
Yes, when variants come from different production countries. Each variant row in the CSV should show the correct country of origin. Leaving variants blank or copying the parent product's origin across all variants creates customs mismatches.
Can I use the Shopify product description for customs invoices?
The Shopify product description is written for shoppers, not customs authorities. Customs descriptions need material, function, and product type. Replace marketing titles with factual descriptions before using the field on commercial invoices or customs declarations.
What if a field is missing from the Shopify export?
Add the missing field as a new column in the CSV using the correct Shopify field name. Label the column exactly as Shopify expects (check the CSV export header). Fill the data, save, and re-import.
Do I need to check weight fields for customs?
Yes. Weight affects carrier duty calculations, postal form thresholds, and customs valuation. Enter actual packaged weight for each SKU rather than relying on carrier estimates at checkout.
Disclaimer
TariffCatalog provides informational tools and preparation workflows only. Verify final classification, rates, document requirements, and filing treatment with official sources or licensed professionals.