How To Lookup The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Code For Your Products

Whether you’re importing or exporting goods, the Harmonized Tariff Schedules (HTS) code is critical information. It’s used to indicate what rate of duty will be applied to your products, and it can also determine whether or not you qualify for trade benefits like free trade agreements. But what is an HTS code and how do you lookup the right one for your product? In this blog post, we’ll explore the HTS process in detail and provide a step-by-step guide on how to look up the correct HTS code for your products. Let’s get started!

What is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)?

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers for classifying traded products. It is used by customs authorities around the world to identify products when assessing duties and taxes and for gathering international trade statistics. The HTS is maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO).

Importers and exporters use the HTS to classify their goods for export and import declarations, and to determine whether any import duties or other taxes are due on a particular shipment.

In order to properly classify a product under the HTS, importers and exporters should consult the HTS classification rules set out in Annex A of the WCO’s “HS Nomenclature” publication. These rules provide guidance on how to determine the correct classification of a good, based on its physical characteristics, composition, intended use, or other factors.

The HS Nomenclature publication is updated every five years, with interim amendments made as needed. The most recent version came into effect on January 1, 2017.

How to Find the Right HTS Code for Your Product

In order to find the right HTS code for your product, you will need to know the product’s classification. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is an internationally recognized system of product classification used by customs authorities around the world.

To find the right HTS code for your product, start by identifying the product’s category. Once you know the category, you can then search for the specific code within that category.

For example, let’s say you are trying to find the HTS code for a pair of shoes. The first step would be to identify the category that best describes your product. In this case, it would be “footwear.” Then, you would search for the specific code within the footwear category that corresponds to your product.

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule is constantly being updated, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest changes. You can do this by checking the website of the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The ITC is responsible for administering the HTS and updating it on a regular basis.

If you have any questions about finding the right HTS code for your product, you can contact a customs broker or an experienced import/export professional. They will be able to guide you through the process and ensure that you are using the most up-to-date codes.

The Benefits of Knowing Your Product’s HTS Code

When it comes to shipping your products internationally, one of the most important pieces of information you need to know is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code for your product. Your product’s HTS code will determine its classification under international trade agreements, and will ultimately determine how much duty you’ll need to pay when importing or exporting it.

In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to look up the HTS code for your product. But first, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of knowing your product’s HTS code:

1. Avoid delays and costly mistakes at customs

If you don’t know your product’s HTS code, there’s a good chance that customs officials won’t either. This can lead to delays in getting your products through customs, as well as costly mistakes in classification that could result in you paying more duty than you need to.

2. Take advantage of preferential trade agreements

Many countries have preferential trade agreements in place with other countries that can reduce or eliminate duties on certain products. In order to take advantage of these agreements, however, you need to know your product’s HTS code so that it can be correctly classified. Otherwise, you could end up paying higher duties than necessary.

3. Save time and money on shipping paperwork

If you’re shipping products internationally on a regular basis, knowing your product’s HTS codes can save you

How to Use the HTS Code to Your Advantage

HTS codes are used by customs officials to identify and classify imported goods. They are also used by businesses to determine import duties and taxes. The code is made up of six digits, with the first two identifying the product’s chapter and the last four specifying the product’s heading or subheading.

You can use the HTS code to your advantage by doing some research on which products fall under which chapters and headings. This will help you better understand what products are subject to import duties and taxes, and how much they will be. It can also help you negotiate better rates with suppliers, as they will be able to provide you with a more accurate quote if they know the HTS code for your product.

To look up the HTS code for your product, you can use the online search tool on the website of the US International Trade Commission (USITC).

Conclusion

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code is an important tool for any business that ships internationally. Looking up the right HTS code quickly and accurately can save you a great deal of time and money in the long run. With this guide, we hope that you now have all of the information you need to look up your own products’ HTS codes with ease and accuracy. Good luck!