Harmonized System and World Customs Organization
The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding Systems, generally referred to as "Harmonized System" or simply "HS," is a multipurpose international product nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). It comprises about 5,000 commodity groups, each identified by a six-digit code, arranged in a legal and logical structure, and supported by well-defined rules to achieve uniform classification. The system is used by more than 200 countries and economies as a basis for their customs tariffs and for the collection of international trade statistics. More than 98 percent of the merchandise in international trade is classified in terms of the HS. The HS nomenclature is updated every five years, with the most recent update in 2017.
U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) was enacted by Congress and made effective on January 1, 1989, replacing the former Tariff Schedules of the United States.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) publishes and maintains the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and provides technical information on its structure and modification. However, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security is solely authorized to interpret the HTS, to issue legally binding rulings or advice on the tariff classification of imports and their treatment upon entry into the United States, and to administer customs laws.
Related links:
Other Countries' Tariff Schedules
• WTO Tariff Data
• National Customs Website (from WCO)
