HS Codes for Cross Border Shipping

The Harmonized System (HS) , the international standard for describing and classifying goods for cross border trade.

The HS coding is both simple in its description but can be excruciatingly difficult for specific commodities. International sellers should become familiar with the basic framework and apply HS codes when ever possible.

HS-Code-Graphic

The HS is administrated by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and serves as the foundation for the import and export classification systems used globally. The HS assigns specific six-digit codes for varying classifications and commodities.Countries are allowed to add longer codes to the first six digits for further classification.

Notes on How to Classify Goods for International Transport


HS Codes and E-Commerce Online Orders

E-commerce online orders - especially from Shopify, eBay and other independent platforms - do not consider H.S. Codes when either selling or shipping. Depending upon the country of destination, the HS Codes can have a varying degree of importance.

Jet enables direct shipping of online orders from Canada and the US to the UK, France, Germany, European Union, Japan, China, Caribbean and South America.

Important Notes on HS codes and Shipping Online orders:

  • If the HS Code is known, it should be used
  • If the HS Code is not known, a specific description (which could include how the product is being used) is required.
  • For shipments valued under "duty free low value thresholds," HS codes are usually not required
  • Without HS codes, import brokers often defer to the code with the highest duty (to avoid customs issues). This can lead to over payment of duty.

Useful Video on HS codes.

Review supporting the PDF version with referenced links.


HS Codes: The system used by worldwide customs authorities to classify goods, the Harmonized System (HS) are updated regularly (see section below on latest 2022 updates).

The HS serves as a way for customs to translate product descriptions into commonly agreed nomenclature. The classifications are then used to determine tariffs, admissibility, quotas (if applicable), and trade statistics.


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How are HS Codes Used For Importing Online Orders?

As for all imports, HS codes are used to determine an items admissibility and rate of duty (along with shipment value and country of origin).

The three main factors in determining duty include:

sample hs code graphic


HS Codes and Duty Free Import via Free Trade Agreements

As mentioned above, the country of origin can sometimes qualify the online goods to qualify for preferential duty free entry under a free trade agreement. This includes shipments between Canada, the USA and Mexico under the USMCA/ CUSMA / T-MEC Free trade agreement.

It is important to note that country of origin refers to where the goods were actually made and not from where they were shipped.

Canadian sellers can ship duty-free Canada Origin Goods to

  • The UK: UK TCA
  • France, Germany and E.U. Countries: CETA
  • Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore...: CPTPP
  • South Korea: CKFTA

free trade vectorREAD ABOUT CANADA'S FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS

Most modern free trade agreements (including those listed above) have provisions for simplified country of origin (COO) declarations for international online orders shipped within the free trade zone. In these case of preferential duty free entry to free trade countries, the HS code is either required or highly recommended.

Even if the goods otherwise qualify for duty free entry, value added tax is most often assessed (see section below on VAT).

IMPORT DUTY VECTORUseful information on import duty and how it is calculated.


The Deception of Descriptions: Why HS Codes Exist

Product descriptions are filled with inconsistencies and often contain industry jargon that only professionals within that industry would recognize. See graphic below.

What is a shoe? A brake shoe? A camera shoe mount? Or a pair of wearing shoes? And if a pair of wearing shoes: Childrens shoes, work shoes, casual wear, leather, synthetic..(the list goes on and on!)

Example of HS Codes for Shoes:

  • Shoe for wearing (footwear) = HS Code 6404.19
  • Shoe breaks in a truck = HS Code 8708.30
  • Shoe used in camera equipment = HS Code 8529.90
  • Shoe used in a resistor: HS Code 8533.90

HScode_what_is_a_shoe_jetworldwide


Rule of HS classification

To find the correct HS (Harmonized System) code, the first step is simply the product itself.  This can include it composition, form and how it used.

  • Consult HS code lists of both the origin and destination country. Most country's HS code listings are accessible via a simple google search.  While the basic classifications are most often similar there can be meaningful differences. 
  • Use the classification of the product versus the individual parts. 
  • If a product can be classified under more than one heading, it should be classified under the heading that provides the most specific description.
  • Factors that can affect classification can include the alphabetical order of headings and subheadings as well as explanatory notes of each chapter. 

If the HS  classification is not obvious, it is best to reach out to brokers, the importers of the product and regulators.  Canadian General rules of interpretation (PDF).


Chapters of the Canadian HS code system

Chapter 1-5: Live animals; animal products

Chapter 6-14: Vegetable products

Chapter 15-24: Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes

Chapter 25-27: Mineral products

Chapter 28-38: Chemicals and related products

Chapter 39-40: Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

Chapter 41-43: Raw Hides and Skins, Leather, Fur skins and Articles thereof; Saddlery and Harness; Travel Goods, Handbags and Similar Containers; Articles of animal gut (other than silk-worm gut)

Chapter 44-49: Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal; cork and articles of cork; manufactures of straw, of esparto or of other plaiting materials; basket ware and wickerwork

Chapter 50-63: Textiles and textile articles

Chapter 64-67: Footwear, headgear, umbrellas, sun umbrellas, walking-sticks, seat-sticks, whips, riding-crops and parts thereof; prepared feathers and articles made therewith; artificial flowers; articles of human hair

Chapter 68-71: Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials; ceramic products; glass and glassware

Chapter 72-83: Metals and articles thereof

Chapter 84-85: Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

Chapter 86-89: Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; ships, boats and floating structures

Chapter 90-92: Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; clocks and watches; musical instruments; parts and accessories thereof

Chapter 93-94: Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof

Chapter 95-96: Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof

Chapter 97: Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques.

There can be some differences in the specific headings, subheadings, and commodity descriptions used in each country. 


Getting an Advance Ruling to Ensure the Correct HS code

Importers to Canada can request an advance ruling to verify the correct tariff classification. Request can be made directly to Canadian customs/ CBSA.This option is available to most countries including the USA and to European countries (Binding Tariff Information Decision (BTI).


Shipping Below Duty Free Thresholds and HS Codes

To countries with high duty free thresholds, HS codes are less important. In these cases, customs focuses more ensuring the declared value is correct. Read about valuation for international shipments.

The duty free thresholds vary by country and, in some countries, are different based from where and even how the online orders were shipped. 

Read about de-minimis values and low value thresholds

Some sample duty free thresholds:

  • European Union countries: €150
  • United Kingdom: £135
  • United States: $800
  • Canada: Depending on origin and method of shipping from $20 to $150 (see graphic below)

Useful Information: Canadian Import Fees


Duty Free but payment of VAT for Import of online orders

An important note on cross border online shipping is that all imports - even those that otherwise qualify for duty free import - are subject to VAT. In some countries, VAT payment is required by the shipping platform.

jet-VAT-vector imagePAYMENT OF VAT TO THE UK

 

vector-IOSS-graphicPAYMENT OF VAT TO EU COUNTRIES


HS Codes for e-commerce shipments to the USA

The low value duty free threshold to the USA is US$800. Most clearance express (ECCF) and cargo (CFS) processes do not require an HS Code. However, US CBP often holds shipments for inadequate descriptions.

Using Section 321 type 86 entries, e-commerce merchants can clear e-commerce orders via more traditional automated brokerage systems (ABI/ ACE) which require HS codes.


Helpful Links to International Tariff Resources (PDF)

Importing and Exporting from Canada:  https://www.tariffinder.ca/en/

canada tariff finder

Find an HS code for shipping from the USA: https://uscensus.prod.3ceonline.com/

USA HS code look up

Finding and HS code and Tariff Rate from the USA: https://www.trade.gov/fta-tariff-tool-search

Search Free trade agreements from USA

Finding the correct HS code to the UK: https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff

UK tariff code lookup

Find the classification code to and from the European Union

Taric graphic


HS Code Updates

The International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS Convention) entered into force in 1988 with major updates around every 5 years.  

HS codes USA 2022 graphic

HS codes Canada 2022 graphic


HS Codes Last Updates in 2022

The latest changes to the HS Code systems were made to  reflect technological advances, new types of products and improve trade statistics.

Products and categories subject to change include:

  • Electronic waste (e-waste)
  • novel tobacco nicotine (vaping) products
  • unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)/ drones
  • smartphones (gain a subheading and note)
  • Flat panel display modules will be classified as a product in their own right
  • A greater focus on the classification of multi-purpose intermediate assemblies
  • Classifications for tools needed for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases has been simplified
  • The category fo glass fibres (heading 70.19) and metal forming machinery (84.62) have been refigured
  • New subheadings have been introduced for the monitoring and control of fentanyl
  • Attempts to clarify text to facilitate better global understanding
  • New subheadings for specific dangerous chemicals

The next HS (Harmonized System) code update is scheduled for 2027 (the HS code system is updated every 5 years).


Ship From Canada

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Shipping Guide For Sending to Canada