Find your HS code: official lookup tools by country
The HS code (commodity code) on your customs form decides the duty rate your buyer pays. Look it up in the official tariff of the country the parcel is going to. Below are the official tools for each destination we cover, what the digits mean, and how to get a binding answer if you are unsure.
What the code is
The Harmonized System (HS) is the World Customs Organization's product nomenclature: more than 5,000 commodity groups, each identified by a six-digit code. More than 200 countries and economies use it as the basis for their customs tariffs.
Only the first 6 digits of a commodity code are the same worldwide. Each country adds its own extra digits and makes its own product decisions, so a code from your supplier or from another country's tariff must be checked against the tariff of the country the goods are entering.
Official lookup tools by destination
Use the tariff of the destination country, not your own. Links go to the official government site.
| Ship to | Look up the code | Binding answer / past rulings |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) search Verified | Search CBP rulings (CROSS) Verified |
| United Kingdom | UK Trade Tariff: look up commodity codes Verified | Apply for an Advance Tariff Ruling Verified |
| European Union | TARIC consultation Verified | Search EU Binding Tariff Information (EBTI) Verified |
| Canada | CBSA Customs Tariff Partly verified | Ask the customs authority; see its site |
| Australia | ABF tariff classification guidance Partly verified | Ask the customs authority; see its site |
How to find it, step by step
- Describe the product the way customs does: what it is, what it is made of (main material), and what it is used for. "Knitted cotton T-shirt" works better than "graphic tee".
- Search the destination's official tariff (table above) with those words, then read down from the chapter heading to the most specific line that fits.
- Check that the first 6 digits match what you use for other countries. If they differ, one of the two is probably wrong.
- Not sure? Search the published rulings for similar products, or ask for a binding ruling (UK, EU) before you ship in volume.
- Put the code on your customs declaration or marketplace listing, then use our buyer-cost calculator to see the duty and tax your buyer will pay.
Getting a binding answer
In the UK you can apply to HMRC for an Advance Tariff Ruling: a legally binding decision on the commodity code for your goods when importing into or exporting from Great Britain. HMRC says it replies in 30 to 120 days.
In the EU, customs authorities of the member states issue Binding Tariff Information (BTI) decisions. The European Commission's EBTI database lets you search existing BTI decisions for similar products.
In the US, CBP's Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) lets you search CBP's published classification rulings for similar products.
Example codes for common small-seller products
These are the example codes our calculator uses. They are only a starting point: your exact product may belong under a different line, so always confirm in the official tariff.
| Product | US (HTSUS) | UK commodity code |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton T-shirt (knitted) | 6109.10.00 | 6109100010 |
| Wool jumper / sweater (knitted) | 6110.11.00 | 6110111000 |
| Silver jewellery (not chain by the metre) | 7113.11.50 | 7113110000 |
| Ceramic mugs / tableware (non-porcelain) | 6912.00.48 | 6912002390 |
| Candles | 3406.00.00 | 3406000000 |
| Printed books | 4901.99.00 | 4901990000 |
| Art prints / posters (printed pictures) | 4911.91 | – |
| Original paintings (hand-executed) | 9701.21 | – |
| Toys (HS 9503) | 9503.00.00 | 9503009990 |
| Leather handbag (valued over US$20) | 4202.21.90 | – |
Sources: U.S. International Trade Commission, HMRC / Department for Business and Trade. Codes checked 20 Oct 2026. Classification depends on the exact product. This page is general information, not customs advice; see the disclaimer.