When selling internationally, finding the right tariff code for your products becomes a critical task. Tariff codes (also known as HS codes) ensure that customs authorities correctly identify what you're shipping — impacting duties, taxes, and how quickly your parcels reach customers.
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about how to find the right tariff code for your products and make your cross-border shipping process as smooth as possible.
What is a tariff code and why is it important?
Before we dive into how to find the right tariff code, it's important to understand what it is. A tariff code (HS code) is a standardized number that categorizes goods internationally. These codes determine customs duties, taxes, and regulations for shipments entering a country.
Choosing the wrong tariff code can lead to:
- Delays at customs
- Unexpected additional costs
- Fines and penalties
- Customer dissatisfaction
Getting it right is essential for smooth shipping, accurate pricing, and maintaining customer trust.
What does an HS code look like?
HS codes are structured in layers, each adding more specificity:
- The first 2 digits identify the chapter — the broad product category. Chapter 61 covers knitted clothing. Chapter 85 covers electrical machinery and electronics.
- The first 4 digits identify the heading — a narrower product group within the chapter.
- The first 6 digits are the internationally standardized HS code, recognized by all World Customs Organization member countries.
- 7–10 digits are country-specific extensions added by individual customs authorities for their own tariff purposes. The EU uses an 8-digit CN code; the UK uses a 10-digit commodity code.
Example: Women's cotton T-shirts
- Chapter: 61 (knitted clothing)
- Heading: 6109 (T-shirts, singlets, and similar garments)
- HS code (6 digits): 610910 (of cotton)
- EU CN code (8 digits): 61091000
When you are completing a customs declaration or CN23 form, you typically need the full national-level code for the destination country — not just the 6-digit HS code. Most tariff lookup tools return the full code for their jurisdiction.
HS codes for common e-commerce product categories
| Product type | HS code (6 digits) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Women's cotton T-shirts | 610910 | Material matters — synthetic fibres use a different code |
| Men's leather shoes | 640359 | Sole and upper material both affect classification |
| Smartphones | 851712 | Most modern phones fall here |
| Wireless earbuds | 851830 | Bluetooth headphones and earphones |
| Perfume / cologne | 330300 | |
| Lithium ion power banks | 850760 | Standalone battery packs |
| Printed books | 490199 | |
| Cosmetics (skin cream) | 330499 | Specific type affects sub-heading |
| Coffee (roasted) | 090121 | |
| Yoga mats | 950699 | Sports equipment — general |
These are illustrative starting points. Always verify the correct code for your specific product using the official tools listed below — material composition, intended use, and product construction all affect the final classification.
How to find the right tariff code in 5 steps
Finding the correct code can seem complicated at first, but following these steps will make the process easier:
1. Understand your product in detail
The first step in how to find the right tariff code is fully understanding your product. Focus on the material, function, composition, and intended use.
Example: Cotton T-shirts and synthetic fibre shirts fall under different HS codes. A sports shoe and a dress shoe are classified differently even if they look similar. A phone case made of leather and a phone case made of plastic have different codes.
The more precisely you can describe your product — what it is made of, what it does, how it is constructed — the more accurately you can navigate the classification system.
2. Use official tariff code lookup tools
There are excellent online resources that simplify finding the right tariff code:
- EU TARIC (Europe) — The official EU tariff database. Returns the full 8-digit CN code and the applicable duty rate for goods entering the EU.
- US Harmonized Tariff Schedule — The official US tariff lookup. Returns 10-digit HTS codes and duty rates for goods entering the USA.
- UK Trade Tariff — The UK's post-Brexit tariff tool. Returns 10-digit commodity codes and UK import duty rates.
- tariffnumber.com — A useful cross-border lookup tool that searches across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
When using these tools, search by product name and then navigate through the chapter and heading structure to your specific product type. Most tools include explanatory notes for each heading that help you verify you are in the right place.
3. Check with your shipping carrier
Major carriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS often assist merchants with finding the right tariff code for their shipments. Many carriers offer free lookup tools or expert advice as part of their shipping services.
Carriers have a practical interest in correct classification — incorrect codes cause customs delays that affect their operations too, which is why they are motivated to help.
4. Consult customs experts if needed
If you're still unsure how to find the right tariff code for complex products, it's worth consulting customs brokers or trade compliance experts. This is particularly relevant for:
- Products with components from multiple countries
- Products that could plausibly be classified under more than one heading
- High-value goods where duty rate differences between classifications are significant
- Products in regulated categories (electronics, cosmetics, food)
The small upfront cost can save you significant headaches and penalties down the line.
5. Automate the process where possible
Once you have identified the correct HS code for each product, save it in your Shopify product settings. Shopify has a dedicated field for the customs HS code on each product variant — entering it there means the code is available for every international order that product appears in.
If you use Packrooster Shipping, the HS code stored on your Shopify product is automatically included on the customs declaration (CN23) and commercial invoice generated for each international shipment. You enter the code once; Packrooster applies it correctly every time. There is no manual step per order, and no risk of the code being omitted or entered incorrectly on individual shipments.
Common mistakes to avoid
Even merchants who take HS codes seriously make these errors regularly:
Using a 6-digit code when the destination requires more digits. The internationally standardized HS code is 6 digits, but most national customs authorities require 8 or 10 digits on declarations. The EU requires 8-digit CN codes. The UK and USA require 10 digits. Submitting a 6-digit code on a CN23 or commercial invoice for these destinations is incomplete — use the full national code.
Classifying by the finished product name rather than its composition. The HS system classifies goods primarily by material and construction, not by their commercial name. A product called a "sports bottle" could be plastic (3924), stainless steel (7323), or glass (7013) — three completely different classifications. Always classify based on what the product is made of and how it works, not what it is called.
Using the same code for products in the same general category. "Clothing" is not one HS code. Neither is "electronics." The HS system distinguishes by material (cotton vs polyester), by construction (woven vs knitted), by function (dress shoes vs sports shoes), and by technical specification (phone vs tablet). Products that feel similar to you as a merchant may be classified very differently.
Not checking the destination country's specific rules. The 6-digit HS code is universal, but the duty rate applied at each destination differs. A product with zero duty in the EU may attract a meaningful duty rate in the USA, or vice versa. Always check the duty rate for your specific destination, not just the HS code.
Leaving the field blank and hoping for the best. Missing HS codes on customs declarations cause clearance delays at the destination as customs officers assign a code themselves — which may not be the most favorable one for your product. Always complete the field.
Helpful tips for finding the right tariff code
- Be specific: Vague descriptions like "clothing" won't cut it — specify materials, purpose, and construction.
- Use product examples: Many tariff search tools offer examples. If your product matches one, that's your code.
- Stay updated: Tariff classifications are periodically updated (the HS system is revised every five years by the World Customs Organization, most recently in 2022). Always double-check that you're using the latest version.
- Test and verify: If you're shipping to multiple countries, check each destination's rules — local versions of HS codes may differ slightly beyond the 6-digit base.
- Keep a record: Maintain a simple spreadsheet or Shopify product notes documenting the HS code for each product, the date it was verified, and the tool used to confirm it. This supports any customs audit and makes onboarding new products faster.
Understanding how to find the right tariff code is a critical skill for any e-commerce merchant expanding into international markets. It ensures your products move smoothly through customs, keeps costs predictable, and creates a better customer experience.
By following the steps outlined above and using reliable resources, you can confidently classify your products and avoid costly mistakes.
And if you want to make global shipping even easier, Packrooster Shipping can help you automate customs paperwork, shipping labels, and more — so you can focus on growing your store without worrying about the complexities of international logistics.
Frequently asked questions
Is an HS code the same as a tariff code? Yes — HS code, tariff code, commodity code, and harmonized code all refer to the same classification system. The terminology varies by country and context: the EU tends to use "CN code" or "tariff code," the UK uses "commodity code," the USA uses "HTS code," and the international standard is "HS code" (Harmonized System code). They all describe a product's classification number in the Harmonized System.
How many digits does an HS code have? The internationally standardized HS code has 6 digits, agreed by the World Customs Organization and used by all member countries. Most countries extend this to 8 or 10 digits for their own national tariff purposes. The EU uses 8-digit CN codes. The UK and USA use 10-digit codes. For customs declarations, always use the full-length code required by the destination country — not just the 6-digit base code.
What happens if I use the wrong HS code? The consequences depend on the severity of the error. An honest classification mistake typically results in a customs hold while authorities reassign the correct code, and possibly a duty adjustment if the correct code attracts a different rate. Deliberate misclassification to reduce duties is customs fraud and carries significant penalties. Most errors are honest mistakes — but they cause delays and sometimes additional charges that land on your customer, which is why accuracy matters.
Do I need a different HS code for each country I ship to? The first 6 digits are universal — the same HS code base applies globally. What changes beyond 6 digits is the national extension (the EU's 8-digit CN code, the UK's 10-digit commodity code, and so on). The duty rate applied to that code also varies by country and by trade agreement. So the classification is the same, but the financial consequence of that classification differs at each destination.
How do I add HS codes to my Shopify products? In Shopify, go to the product editor, scroll to the Shipping section, and look for the "Customs information" fields. There you can enter the HS (Harmonized System) code and the country of origin for each product or variant. These fields are used by carrier integrations — including Packrooster — to populate customs declarations automatically when generating international shipping labels. Entering the code at the product level means you only need to do it once per product, not per shipment.
Can I use an AI tool to find HS codes? AI tools can be a useful starting point for HS code research — they can help you understand which chapter and heading is likely correct for a given product type. However, they should not be used as the final authority. Always verify any AI-suggested code against the official tariff tools listed in this guide, and for products where the classification is ambiguous, consult a customs broker. HS code misclassification has real financial and legal consequences — a second source of verification is always worth the extra few minutes.
