What is a HS Code and why are they used for International Deliveries?

Harmonization System Codes or HS Codes

UPDATED 6th JUNE 2023

HS Codes on Untracked Goods will become a mandatory requirement across the entire export market. This is to help the journey through customs and avoid lengthy shipping delays.

HS Codes

A HS Code is a numerical code that accurately describes in detail the item. The minimum number of digits is 6 and the maximum is 10. Most countries operate with 8 to 10 digits. Germany insists on 8 and the Republic of Ireland on 10 at the moment. Please only use 6, 8 or 10 digits. 

HS Codes, sometimes referred to as Commodity Codes, must only be digits:

   x  no full stops

   x  no commas

   x  no spaces

   x  no question marks

   x  no dashes.

Nothing more than the digits.

The HS Code determines the correct amount of Customs Duty and any VAT or equivalent.  

Currently, a HS Code is mandatory for tracked items and officially only highly recommended for untracked. However, the industry is moving towards making it mandatory for untracked items.

Customs authorities around the world are fast becoming far stricter about an accurate HS Code being declared. Countries such as the USA, the EU, various destinations in South America and the Middle East already have stringent controls in place.

Therefore, Whistl customers must ensure they include an accurate HS Code within the data they send to us.

We will make this mandatory by mid-June 2023. We will confirm the exact date in due course.

Recipient Email Addresses and Telephone/Mobile Numbers

We are frequently asked to supply the recipient's email address and telephone/mobile number if there is a query about the item from Customs or the end carrier. Currently, this is highly recommended, but we can see that this will become mandatory in the near future.

To ensure that your items are delivered to your customers on time, we urge you to supply your recipient's email address and telephone/mobile number wherever possible within the data you send to Whistl from now on.

What are HS Codes?

Developed by the World Customs Organization as a multipurpose International product nomenclature, to describe the type of goods that is shipped.

Customs officers in countries around the world must use HS Code information to clear every commodity, that enters or crosses any international borders

• Exported goods outside of the UK currently consist of 8 digits, these are expected to move to 10 digits in the future.
• Imported goods into the UK use a 10 digit HS Code.
• New HS codes came into effect in January 2022, if your business imports or exports goods or are involved in cross border transactions, it might be worth a review to ensure the right HS codes are being used.  

Product Descriptions for HS Codes

Product description should be as detailed as possible to avoid the parcel being held by customs:

• The type of product
• The material used to make it
• Production method and what it will be used for

Some examples of acceptable and unacceptable product descriptions are below:

What has changed with the 2022 update to the HS Codes?

Every 5 years the WCO review the codes to ensure the codes stay relevant to the current technology changes and products and production levels. HS codes are then categorised to remove codes that have become obsolete and add new codes for newer or higher-interest items. Review the new HS2022 codes.

Why should your client provide their HS Code?

Provision of the Trade Tariff Code (HS Code) is requested for commercial items to help in the customs clearance process.

This is because the Trade Tariff Code lets the destination country know electronically what is in the item, enabling accurate Customs charging and simplified Customs clearance.

If the Trade Tariff Code is not completed or completed incorrectly then the wrong charges could be applied, or in some cases, Customs authorities may take the following actions

• Stop the parcel and examine it delaying its journey
• The item may be completely rejected by Customs
• Customs send the items back
• Customs could destroy the goods
• Your client may Incur additional return and handling costs

It is the responsibility of the sending customer to ensure HS Codes are supplied in the data, this is not the responsibility of your parcel carrier. Businesses should review their customs classification policy and identify if any changes are needed based on HS 2022.

HS Code Help & Support

Trade Tariff: look up commodity codes, duty and VAT rates

https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff

HMRC classification of goods

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ask-hmrc-for-advice-on-classifying-your-goods

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/important-notice-about-the-1-january-2022-uk-integrated-tariff-tariff-stop-press-notice-21

How to ask HMRC for advice

1. Please send one email for each of the goods they are asking advice on, failure to do this could cause rejection.
2. Email the Tariff Classification Service: classification.enquiries@hmrc.gov.uk for non-legally binding advice on classifying your goods.
3. HMRC aim to reply to emails within 5 working days. This could take longer if they have a high number of requests.​​​​​