The H.S.CODE system is very useful in shipping operations because it allows customs officials to identify goods faster and easier, thus speeding up the clearance of goods.

Also known as the Harmonised System Code (H.S.CODE), H.S.CODE is the primary tool used by customs officers and duty officials to classify imported goods. Developed by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), H.S.CODE is a multi-purpose international product nomenclature that describes the type of goods being transported. Each H.S.CODE is a six-digit number, and many goods have multiple H.S.CODEs associated with them – for each country of origin or destination, or for each brand or manufacturer, etc.

The H.S.CODE can also be used to provide a common identifier for import and export goods, to identify the category of goods, to manage the classification of goods, to review tariff rates, etc.

How many numbers are there in the H.S.CODE?

The Harmonised System (HS) code is used by border agencies to identify the international trade status of goods and consists of three parts: a 2-digit code, a 4-digit code and a 6-digit code.The first 6 digits of the HS code can be used in conjunction with a country’s local customs identification number to indicate the trade status of the goods.

Are the HS codes different for each country?

Each country can adapt the HTS code with a 2 or 4 digit code without changing the first 6 digits. In other words, the first 6 digits remain the same in each country. However, it is important that countries do not modify the first six digits when adding numbers to more accurately classify and define goods. Countries that are part of the Harmonised System codes must be content to define the basic commodity at the six-digit level, however they can also introduce more detailed descriptions in those six digits

To determine if an HS code is valid you must first find out what type of HS code it is. There are three types: commodity codes, statistical codes and auxiliary codes. Commodity codes are used for raw materials and intermediate products, statistical codes are used for customs only, and auxiliary codes are used for other types of data that do not fall into the other two categories.

After determining which type of HS code it is, you must then look at the first two digits to see if that HS code has a four-digit extension. If the first two digits are 00 to 21, then there is no four-digit extension. If the first two digits are 22 to 47, then it has a four-digit extension. If it has a four-digit extension, you will have to find out what it means by looking at an additional table showing all the possibilities. After you have determined what type of HS code it is, you will have to look at the first two digits to find out if that HS code has a four-digit extension. If the first two digits are 00 to 21, then there is no four-digit extension. If the first two digits are 22 to 47, then there is a four-digit extension. If there is a four-digit extension, you have to find out what it means by looking at the additional table showing all possible extensions.

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