An HS code is the six-digit code that classifies a product in the Harmonized System, the international goods nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). More than 200 countries and economies use it as the basis for their customs tariffs and trade statistics (WCO). Each country or customs union can add digits: in the European Union, the Combined Nomenclature (CN) extends it to eight digits and TARIC to ten. The resulting code determines the duties and measures that apply to your goods.
HS, CN and TARIC: three levels of one code
| Level | Digits | Defined by | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harmonized System (HS) | 6 | WCO, worldwide | Common classification basis in countries that apply it |
| Combined Nomenclature (CN) | 8 | European Union | Classifying goods declared to EU customs and setting duty rates |
| TARIC | 10 | European Union | Applying trade policy measures (quotas, anti-dumping, preferences, etc.) |
According to the European Commission, the digits read as follows:
- the first 2 give the chapter;
- the first 4, the heading;
- the first 6, the HS subheading;
- all 8, the CN subheading, specific to the EU.
French customs explains that the first eight digits determine customs duties, while the last two digits of the TARIC code determine which trade policy measures apply (French customs, finding your goods’ classification).
The WCO Harmonized System
The WCO states that the HS covers more than 5,000 commodity groups identified by six-digit codes, and that about 98% of international merchandise trade is classified with it. Governments also use it for internal taxes, quotas and statistics.
The nomenclature changes by edition. The next one, HS 2028, enters into force on 1 January 2028. It will have 1,229 headings and 5,852 subheadings, including 428 new subheadings compared with HS 2022 (WCO, HS 2028 amendments). A code you have used for years may change, so plan a review of your product references before that date.
The Combined Nomenclature and TARIC
The CN is updated every year and published in the Official Journal of the EU. It contains descriptions, duty rates, supplementary units and notes. Explanatory notes help interpret it but are not legally binding (European Commission).
TARIC is a database that brings together all measures relating to the Common Customs Tariff and to EU commercial and agricultural legislation: duties, preferences, suspensions, quotas, anti-dumping duties, prohibitions and restrictions. Its data is sent daily to national customs administrations (European Commission, TARIC).
How to find the HS code for a product
- Describe the product precisely: composition, function, presentation, technical characteristics. Flag accessories and items sold as sets.
- Search the official tools. For EU imports, use TARIC on the Commission’s website. In France, customs also offers RITA, which lets you search the nomenclature, estimate duties and taxes, and see the applicable rules.
- Check existing rulings. The Commission’s EBTI database lists binding tariff information decisions in force across the Member States, according to French customs.
- Have your customs broker or customs representative validate it against the nomenclature notes.
For a code received from an overseas supplier, only the first six digits are shared by all countries that apply the HS. Beyond that, each country or customs union adds its own subdivisions, so check the code against the nomenclature of the country where you declare the goods.
BTI: securing your classification
Binding Tariff Information (BTI) is a legal decision by an EU customs authority on the tariff classification of a product. It is generally valid for three years throughout the EU, wherever it was issued, and binds all EU customs administrations and the holder (European Commission, EU BTI).
You apply to the customs authority of the country where you are established or where you plan to import or export, through the EU Customs Trader Portal or a national portal. Each type of product needs a separate application (European Commission, EU BTI). French customs adds that the holder must quote the BTI reference in the customs declaration (French customs, BTI factsheet).
Where the HS code shows up in your operations
The code appears in import and export declarations, such as the IMA, and drives the duties and measures applied. Keep the chosen code, the reasoning behind it, the product specification and any BTI with your references. Link these documents to the shipment file so customs preparation does not start again from a vague commercial description.
Frequently asked questions
What is an HS code?
It is the six-digit Harmonized System code maintained by the WCO, which classifies a product the same way in more than 200 countries and economies. It is the basis for customs tariffs and trade statistics.
How many digits does a customs code have in the EU?
Six for the Harmonized System, eight for the Combined Nomenclature, which sets duty rates, and ten for TARIC, which adds trade policy measures.
What is the difference between an HS code, a CN code and a TARIC code?
They are nested levels. The HS code is global, the CN adds two EU-specific digits, and TARIC adds two more for trade measures such as quotas or anti-dumping duties.
How do I find the HS code for my product?
Describe the product precisely, search TARIC (or RITA in France), check the EBTI database and have your customs broker confirm the code. For legal certainty, apply for a BTI.
What is a BTI?
Binding Tariff Information: a customs decision on how a product is classified, generally valid for three years across the EU and binding on EU customs administrations and the holder.
Will my HS code change?
The HS is revised by edition, and HS 2028 takes effect on 1 January 2028. The EU Combined Nomenclature is also updated every year.