Route: How it's structured
How commodity codes are structured
The Harmonized System (HS) is hierarchical. Codes are grouped by chapters and headings, and additional digits may be used by customs unions or national schedules to add detail.
Typical components
- Chapter (2 digits): broad product grouping (example: 01 for live animals).
- Heading (4 digits): narrower grouping within a chapter.
- Subheading (6 digits): internationally harmonized detail level.
- Extensions (8 to 10+ digits): additional detail used by a region or country (for example, Combined Nomenclature or tariff extensions).
Neutral examples (format only)
The examples below illustrate formatting patterns only. They are not advice and do not imply that a product should be classified under a given code.
| Example | Meaning (format only) |
|---|---|
| 0101 | 4-digit heading (chapter + heading) |
| 010121 | 6-digit HS subheading (international level) |
| 84713000 | 8-digit format used by some tariff schedules |
| 8504409550 | 10-digit tariff-style extension (format example) |
Common misunderstandings
- A code matching a digit pattern does not indicate correctness for a specific product.
- Different administrations may apply extra digits for local tariff detail while keeping the HS base.
- Classification can depend on product composition and function, not only on the name used in commerce.