How to Find Your HTS Code (Step by Step)

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule uses a structured code. The first six digits are the international HS number (chapter, heading, subheading); the US adds four more digits for statistical and tariff detail, giving a 10-digit HTS code. The more specific the code, the more precisely it maps to a duty rate and to any additional-tariff programs.

Write down what the item is made of, what it does, and who it is for. “Children’s plastic toy” is too vague; “plastic statuette, ornamental, under 1 kg” is specific. Material, construction, and intended use all change the classification.

The HTS is organized by product type. Apparel is Chapter 61–62, footwear Chapter 64, furniture Chapter 94, electrical goods Chapter 85, plastics Chapter 39, and so on. Picking the right chapter narrows the search dramatically.

Search the USITC HTS by keyword (e.g. “lithium battery” or “wooden furniture”). Read the article description, not just the code, and drill from the 4-digit heading down to the 10-digit line that best matches your exact product.

Once you have a candidate code, check its General (base) duty rate and any Chapter 99 additional-tariff notes. A code that produces an implausible rate is often a sign the product was classified too broadly. Our China Tariff Calculator includes an HTS lookup that searches a bundled snapshot by code or keyword so you can sanity-check a base rate quickly.

If classification is genuinely uncertain — especially for novel products — a binding CBP ruling gives certainty. It costs time but prevents costly disputes after goods are already in transit.

The base duty rate, the applicable Section 301 list, and even anti-dumping exposure all key off the HTS code. A code that is “close enough” can over- or under-state your duty by double digits, and misclassification can carry penalties. Getting the code right is the single most leveraged step in import planning.