HTS Code Lookup: How to Find Your HTS Code [2026]

Every product imported into the United States needs an HTS code — a 10-digit number that determines how much duty you pay, what trade restrictions apply, and how customs processes your shipment. Getting the right code is the difference between a smooth customs clearance and costly delays or penalties. This guide explains what HTS codes are, how to look them up, and how to use them correctly for your imports.

What is an HTS Code?

An HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code is the United States system for classifying imported products. It's based on the international 6-digit HS code maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO), but extends to 10 digits for US-specific classification. The US International Trade Commission (USITC) administers the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which is the official reference for all US import classifications.

Every product entering the US — whether it's electronics, textiles, food, or machinery — must have an HTS code declared on the customs entry. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses these codes to assess the correct duty rate, enforce trade remedies like anti-dumping duties, and compile trade statistics. If you're importing goods commercially, accurate HTS classification isn't optional — it's a legal requirement.

How to Do an HTS Code Lookup

There are several ways to find the right HTS code for your product. The best method depends on how complex your product is and how much classification experience you have.

1. Use RateTell's HS Code Finder — The fastest option. Describe your product in plain language and get an AI-powered HTS code suggestion in seconds. RateTell analyzes your product description against existing classification patterns and calculates the applicable duty rate at the same time. Best for merchants who need quick, accurate results without deep customs knowledge.
2. Search the USITC HTSUS database — The official source. Visit hts.usitc.gov to search the full Harmonized Tariff Schedule. You can browse by chapter, search by keyword, or look up specific codes. This is the authoritative reference, but the tariff schedule contains over 17,000 codes, so finding the right one requires understanding the classification structure.
3. Use the CBP CROSS database — CBP's Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) contains binding rulings and classification decisions for specific products. Searching CROSS can show you how customs has classified similar products in the past, which is especially useful for products that could fall under multiple headings.
4. Ask a licensed customs broker — For high-value shipments or complex products, a customs broker can provide a formal classification. Brokers understand the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) and can navigate edge cases that automated tools might miss. This is the most reliable option but also the most expensive and time-consuming.

HTS Code Structure

The HTS code is a 10-digit number with a hierarchical structure. Each pair of digits narrows the classification from a broad category to a specific product:

• Digits 1-2 (Chapter) — The broadest category. For example, Chapter 61 covers knitted apparel, Chapter 85 covers electrical machinery.
• Digits 3-4 (Heading) — A more specific product group within the chapter. Heading 61.09 covers T-shirts and tank tops.
• Digits 5-6 (Subheading) — The international level of detail. Subheading 6109.10 specifies "of cotton."
• Digits 7-8 (US legal notes) — US-specific subdivisions that account for trade policy, special tariff programs, and legal distinctions.
• Digits 9-10 (Statistical suffix) — US statistical reporting categories used for trade data collection.

Here's a concrete example. A men's cotton T-shirt imported into the US has the HTS code 6109.10.0012:

• 61 — Chapter: Knitted apparel
• 09 — Heading: T-shirts, singlets, tank tops
• 10 — Subheading: Of cotton (international)
• 00 — US legal notes (no further subdivision)
• 12 — Statistical suffix: Men's T-shirts, of cotton

The first 6 digits are the same in every country that uses the Harmonized System. Digits 7-10 vary by country — the US uses HTS, the EU uses TARIC, Canada uses its own 10-digit schedule, and so on.

HTS Code Lookup Examples

Let's walk through a few real-world examples of looking up HTS codes for common import products.

Example 1: Wireless Bluetooth headphones. You import over-ear wireless headphones. Searching the HTSUS, you find Chapter 85 (electrical machinery), heading 85.18 (microphones, headphones, and loudspeakers), subheading 8518.30 (headphones and earphones). The full 10-digit HTS code for wireless headphones is 8518.30.2000, with a general duty rate of 3.9%.

Example 2: Cotton bed sheets. You sell woven cotton bed sheets. Chapter 63 covers made-up textile articles, heading 63.02 covers bed linen, and subheading 6302.21 specifies "of cotton." The HTS code is 6302.21.9020, and the duty rate depends on the country of origin and any applicable trade agreements.

Example 3: Ceramic coffee mugs. A common import product. Chapter 69 covers ceramic products, heading 69.11 covers tableware and kitchenware of porcelain or china, and subheading 6911.10 specifies tableware and kitchenware. The HTS code 6911.10.3000 applies to ceramic mugs, with a general duty rate of 4.5%.

HTS Code vs HS Code

The terms "HTS code" and "HS code" are often used interchangeably, but they're not the same thing. Understanding the difference matters when you're filing customs entries or calculating duties.

• HS code — The 6-digit international standard used by over 200 countries. Maintained by the WCO. The first 6 digits are universal — a product has the same HS code everywhere in the world.
• HTS code — The 10-digit US extension of the HS code. Administered by the USITC. Used exclusively for US imports. Adds 4 digits of US-specific detail for tariff and statistical purposes.

Other countries extend the HS code differently. The EU uses TARIC codes (10 digits), Canada uses its own 10-digit tariff schedule, Japan uses 9 digits, and Australia uses 8 digits. In every case, the first 6 digits match the international HS code, and the additional digits are country-specific.

For e-commerce merchants, this means you need the right code for each destination country. A product shipped to the US needs an HTS code, while the same product shipped to the EU needs a TARIC code. Automated tools like RateTell handle this mapping for you, using the HS code as the universal anchor and converting it to the appropriate national tariff code for each market.

Related guides: What is an HS Code? · Tariff Code Guide

Look up your HTS code now with our free HTS code lookup tool. AI-powered classification for US imports.