HTS Codes in US
You’ll need to pay taxes when importing goods to the USA — HTS number tell you exactly how much. Here you can learn how to find HTSUS code, and how to get a better deal when making international payments.
What is a HTS code?
HTS (or HTSUS - Harmonized Tariff Schedule of US) codes are 10 digit codes used by the United States government to track the goods being imported into the country. Each code describes a particular type of product, allowing the government to charge different tariffs for different trade goods.
If you’re planning on importing goods into the US, you’ll need to find the right HTS code to use.
Wise is the cheaper, faster way to send money abroad.
Paying an invoice in a foreign currency? With Wise, you’ll always get a better deal. That’s because when we send your money, we give you the real exchange rate. The same rate you’ll see on Google, in fact. Combine that with our business account, and you can manage your international business without the hassle.
Hold up to 40 different currencies at once, and convert between them in seconds. And with the Wise Business debit card, you can spend anywhere in the world at the best possible exchange rate.
Sign up now, and do business without borders.
HTSUS number format
HTS codes are made up of 4 parts, adding up to 10 digits in total. Each part provides more detailed information about the product — starting with the ‘chapter’, which describes the industry, and ending with the ‘statistical classification’, which describes the particular product. HTSUS numbers are an extension of internationally recognized HS codes that were developed by World Customs Organization (WCO).
Here, we’ve given a breakdown of the HTS code for chocolate confectionery with peanut butter.
HS Chapter | 2 digits | 18 - Cocoa and Cocoa Preparations |
HS Heading | 2 digits | 1806 - Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa |
HS SubHeading | 2 digits | 1806 31 - Filled |
Statistical Classification | 4 digits | 1806 31 0041 - Confectionery: containing peanuts |
What are HS codes?
Harmonised System (HS) codes are an international standard for calculating tax on imported goods. Controlled by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the system was first introduced in 1988.
The HS code system forms the basis for all tariff codes in the US, which means that HTS codes are part of the international HS code system. They’re only used for Importing goods into the US, however.
How to use HTS code
You can find the right HTS code by searching for the product in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule Search, managed by the US government.
Taking chocolate confectionery as an example, you’d start by searching for the section and chapter that represents the industry. In this case, it would be section 4 (Prepared Foodstuffs) and chapter 18 (Cocoa and Cocoa Preparations).
Next, you’d search for the right Heading and Subheading, both of which would continue to describe your product in greater detail. In this case, the Heading would be 06 (Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa), and the Subheading would be 31 (Filled).
Finally, you’d look for the Statistical Classification, in this case 0041 (Confectionery with peanuts). Combining these digits will give you the HTS code — 1806 31 0041.
| SECTION | CATEGORY | CHAPTERS |
|---|---|---|
1 | Animal & Animal Products | 1-5 |
2 | Vegetable Products | 6-14 |
3 | Animal or Vegetable Fats and Oils | 15 |
4 | Prepared Foodstuffs | 16-24 |
5 | Mineral Products | 25-27 |
6 | Chemicals & Allied Industries | 28-38 |
7 | Plastics / Rubbers | 39-40 |
8 | Raw Hides, Skins, Leather, & Furs | 41-43 |
9 | Wood & Wood Products | 44-46 |
10 | Pulp of Wood or of Other Fibrous Material | 47-49 |
11 | Textiles | 50-63 |
12 | Footwear / Headgear | 64-67 |
13 | Stone / Glass | 68-70 |
14 | Natural or Cultured Pearls | 71 |
15 | Base Metals | 72-83 |
16 | Machinery / Electrical | 84-85 |
17 | Transportation | 86-89 |
18 | Precision Instruments | 90-92 |
19 | Arms and Ammunition | 93 |
20 | Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles | 94-96 |
21 | Works of Art | 97-98 |
The new and improved Wise Business
Get the best possible exchange rate when paying for imports in foreign currencies.
Schedule B numbers, HS codes, and HTS codes — what’s the difference?
Depending on the type of international trade you’ll be doing, there are a few numbers and codes you might need.
Schedule B numbers help the US government to track trade exports leaving the country, and charge the right tariffs each product. If you’re planning on exporting goods abroad from the US, you’ll need to have the right Schedule B numbers.
HS codes are an international system for tracking trade goods. They form the basis for all tariff codes, including the first 6 digits of Schedule B numbers and HTS codes in the US. You’ll often find HS codes on invoices and shipping documents around the world.
HTS codes are like Schedule B numbers, but for importing goods into the United States instead. They’re also made up of 10 digits, and they help the US government to track imports and apply the right tariffs to different products.
