HS Code vs. HTS Code vs. TARIC Code: What's the Difference?
Learn the difference between HS codes, HTS codes, and TARIC codes. Compare 6-digit, 8-digit, and 10-digit tariff classification systems across US, EU, and UK.
Table of Contents
TL;DR: HS codes are the universal 6-digit standard used by 212 countries. HTS codes extend them to 10 digits for US imports, and TARIC codes do the same for EU imports. All three share the same first six digits -- the difference lies in the national extensions that set country-specific duty rates.
The US, EU, and UK each use a different classification system, and understanding how they relate is essential for anyone involved in importing or exporting goods. This guide breaks down all three systems, explains how they connect, and shows you how to convert between them.
What Is the Harmonized System (HS)?
The Harmonized System (HS) is the international foundation on which every national tariff schedule is built. Formally called the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, the World Customs Organization (WCO) maintains it and 212 countries, territories, and customs unions apply it -- covering more than 98% of world trade. Think of it as a universal postal code system for goods: no matter where a product ships, its first six digits are the same.
The HS organizes all traded goods into a strict hierarchy:
- 21 Sections (grouped by broad material or industry, identified by Roman numerals)
- 97 Chapters (the first 2 digits of the code)
- 1,228 Headings (4 digits)
- 5,612 Subheadings (6 digits)
You can browse the full list of HS sections and their chapters to see how products are organized -- from live animals in Section I to works of art in Section XXI.
How to read an HS code: the 6-digit breakdown
Every HS code follows the same structure. Take 8471.30 -- the code for portable computers:
84 71 30
| | |
Chapter Heading Subheading
(Nuclear (Auto (Portable,
reactors, data- weighing
boilers, processing not more
machinery) machines) than 10 kg)
- Digits 1-2 (Chapter 84): Machinery and mechanical appliances
- Digits 3-4 (Heading 8471): Automatic data-processing machines
- Digits 5-6 (Subheading 30): Portable machines weighing not more than 10 kg
These six digits are identical in every country that applies the HS. A laptop classified as 8471.30 in the United States carries the same first six digits in Germany, Japan, Brazil, and 200+ other economies. The current edition, HS 2022, took effect on 1 January 2022, and the HS Convention and its Harmonized System Committee govern all updates.
Key Takeaways: The first 6 digits of any tariff code (the HS code) are identical worldwide across 212 countries. The US extends to 10 digits via HTS (duty rate set at digit 8), the EU layers CN (8 digits) plus TARIC (10 digits), and the UK uses its own 10-digit commodity codes post-Brexit. You cannot use a TARIC code on a US customs entry or vice versa -- always look up the national extension for each destination market.
What Is an HTS Code in the United States?
An HTS code is the US-specific 10-digit extension of the international HS code, used to determine the exact import duty rate for goods entering the United States. The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) publishes and maintains the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS or HTS), which derives its legal authority from the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. The HTS contains approximately 17,000 individual tariff lines, compared to the 5,612 subheadings in the base HS.
How the 10 HTS digits break down
8471 .30 .01 00
| | | |
HS HS US Statistical
Heading Sub- Rate Suffix
(intl) heading Line (Census)
(intl) (legal)
- Digits 1-6: Identical to the international HS code
- Digits 7-8: U.S.-specific rate line that sets the actual duty rate
- Digits 9-10: Statistical suffix used by the U.S. Census Bureau for trade data (not legally binding for duty purposes)
For example, HTS code 8471.30.01.00 specifically covers portable digital automatic data-processing machines weighing not more than 10 kg. The 8-digit level determines the duty rate, while the 10-digit code provides granular statistical tracking.
What about Schedule B codes?
Schedule B codes are a closely related 10-digit system maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau, used exclusively for U.S. export reporting. While the first six digits match the HS (and usually the first eight match the HTS), the final digits can differ. The key distinction: HTS codes classify imports and determine duty rates; Schedule B codes classify exports and serve statistical purposes. You can legally use an HTS code in place of a Schedule B on export declarations, but the reverse is not permitted.
What Is TARIC in the European Union?
TARIC is the EU's 10-digit classification system, formally known as the Integrated Tariff of the European Communities (from the French: Tarif Integre Communautaire). It builds on two layers: the 8-digit Combined Nomenclature (CN) and two additional TARIC digits that encode EU-specific trade measures such as anti-dumping duties, tariff quotas, and preferential rates. The European Commission's Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) maintains the system.
From HS to CN to TARIC: the three EU layers
8471 30 00 00
| | | |
HS HS Combined TARIC
Heading Sub- Nomencl. Measures
(intl) heading (EU-wide) (EU-specific)
(intl)
- Digits 1-6 (HS): International harmonized code
- Digits 7-8 (CN): EU-specific subdivisions for customs tariff and trade statistics. The CN contains roughly 9,500 codes, compared to 5,612 at the HS level.
- Digits 9-10 (TARIC): Encode EU regulatory measures. When no additional subdivision exists, these digits default to "00."
According to the European Commission, the CN serves as the basis for the EU's Common Customs Tariff and is updated annually by Commission regulation. TARIC adds a further layer of detail that captures trade defense instruments, pharmaceutical product designations, and other EU-specific measures that change more frequently.
How Does the UK Classify Goods After Brexit?
Since leaving the EU's customs union on 31 December 2020, the United Kingdom maintains its own 10-digit commodity code system through the UK Global Tariff. While the UK now sets its own duty rates independently, the code structure remains closely aligned with the EU's Combined Nomenclature. The first six digits follow the international HS, and for most product categories, the remaining four digits continue to mirror the EU's CN and TARIC subdivisions.
UK commodity codes use 10 digits for imports and 8 digits for exports, following the same layered structure:
- Digits 1-6: International HS code (identical globally)
- Digits 7-8: UK-specific subheading (often matches EU CN)
- Digits 9-10: Additional detail for import declarations
The critical difference is not in the code structure but in the duty rates and trade measures applied. A product may share the same 10-digit code in both the EU and UK but carry a different tariff rate, different preferential trade agreements, and different regulatory requirements. You can compare these rates side by side on any HS6 code page on HSRates.
Master Comparison: All Systems at a Glance
| Feature | HS | HTS (US) | TARIC (EU) | UK Commodity Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digits | 6 | 10 | 10 (CN: 8) | 10 |
| Maintained by | WCO | USITC | DG TAXUD | HMRC |
| Coverage | 212 countries | United States | 27 EU member states | United Kingdom |
| Legal basis | HS Convention | Omnibus Trade Act 1988 | EU Regulation 2658/87 | Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 |
| Subheadings | 5,612 | ~17,000 | ~9,500 (CN) | ~15,000 |
| Purpose | Universal classification | Import duties + statistics | Duties + EU trade measures | Import duties + statistics |
| Update cycle | Every 5 years | Ongoing | CN: annual; TARIC: continuous | Ongoing |
| Used for | All trade | U.S. imports | EU imports | UK imports |
How Do These Codes Compare for the Same Product?
To see how the systems relate in practice, consider the classification of a laptop computer across all three jurisdictions. You can view the full comparison, including current duty rates, on the HS 8471.30 laptops page.
| System | Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HS (International) | 8471.30 | Portable automatic data-processing machines, weighing not more than 10 kg |
| HTS (United States) | 8471.30.01.00 | Portable digital automatic data processing (ADP) machines, not exceeding 10 kg |
| CN (EU, 8-digit) | 8471.30.00 | Portable ADP machines, weighing not more than 10 kg |
| TARIC (EU, 10-digit) | 8471.30.00.00 | (No additional TARIC subdivision) |
| UK Commodity Code | 8471.30.00.00 | Portable ADP machines, weighing not more than 10 kg |
Notice that all five codes share the same first six digits -- 8471.30. The divergence happens at digit 7 and beyond, where each jurisdiction applies its own granularity. In this case, the EU and UK do not subdivide further (digits 7-10 are zeros), while the US creates a distinct rate line at digits 7-8.
For simpler goods like T-shirts (6109.10), the differences are more pronounced because textile tariffs vary significantly across jurisdictions. Use the duty calculator to compare rates for any specific product.
How to Convert Between HS, HTS, and TARIC Codes
Converting between these systems is straightforward once you understand the shared foundation. Follow these steps for any product:
Start with the 6-digit HS code. Identify your product's HS subheading using the HS code lookup tool. This code is universal.
Look up the national extension. With the 6-digit HS code in hand, search the relevant national database:
- US: USITC HTS Search to find the 10-digit HTS code
- EU: TARIC Consultation to find the 10-digit TARIC code
- UK: UK Trade Tariff Tool to find the 10-digit commodity code
Compare the rates. The national code determines the duty rate, not the international HS code. A product classified as HS 8471.30 may be duty-free in one jurisdiction and subject to 5% ad valorem in another.
Check for trade agreements. Customs authorities apply preferential rates under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) at the national code level, and rates vary by origin country.
On HSRates, every HS6 code page displays the US, EU, and UK duty rates side by side, so you can compare without performing three separate lookups.
Why Does the Distinction Matter?
Getting the classification wrong has real financial consequences. According to the WCO, tariff misclassification is one of the most common causes of customs delays and penalty assessments worldwide. The difference between two adjacent HTS codes can mean a 15% duty rate versus duty-free treatment.
Common consequences of using the wrong tariff code:
- Overpayment of duties by thousands of dollars per shipment
- CBP penalties of up to 4x the unpaid duty amount for negligent misclassification
- Shipment delays of 5-15 business days during customs examination
- Loss of preferential FTA rates due to incorrect code on the certificate of origin
- Audit exposure for up to 5 years of historical entries
"I have seen companies pay six figures in back duties because they assumed their EU TARIC code would work for US imports. The first six digits matched, but the national extensions pointed to completely different rate lines." -- Monica Trejo, Trade Compliance Director at Hansa Global Logistics
Three scenarios where the distinction matters most:
- Importing to the US: You need the full 10-digit HTS code. The 6-digit HS code alone does not determine the applicable duty rate.
- Exporting from the US: You need a Schedule B code (or HTS code) for the Automated Export System (AES) filing.
- Shipping to the EU or UK: You need the 10-digit TARIC or commodity code, including any additional codes for anti-dumping duties, tariff suspensions, or preferential treatment.
For a deeper understanding of how to read and interpret classification codes, see our guide on how to read an HS code.
Summary and Next Steps
The bottom line: HS, HTS, and TARIC codes share the same 6-digit international foundation but diverge at the national level -- and it is the national extension that determines your actual duty rate, regulatory requirements, and trade statistics classification.
Start every classification by identifying the 6-digit HS code using the HSRates HS Code Lookup, then look up the national extension for your destination market. Compare US, EU, and UK rates side by side on any HS6 code page to avoid duplicate lookups across three government portals.
FAQ
Are HS codes the same in every country?
The first six digits of an HS code are identical in all 212 countries and territories that apply the Harmonized System. Beyond six digits, each country adds its own subdivisions. That means HS 8471.30 refers to the same product category worldwide, but the full 10-digit code -- and the corresponding duty rate -- will differ between the US, EU, and UK. You can compare rates across all three jurisdictions on any HS6 code page.
What is the difference between an HS code and an HTS code?
An HS code is the international 6-digit classification standard maintained by the WCO and used by over 200 countries. An HTS code is the US-specific 10-digit extension of that standard, maintained by the USITC, which adds four digits to determine the exact duty rate and statistical category for US imports. Every HTS code begins with an HS code, but not every HS code maps to a single HTS code -- one HS subheading may split into multiple HTS rate lines.
Can I use my EU TARIC code to import into the US?
No. While the first six digits of a TARIC code and an HTS code are identical (both derived from the HS), the remaining digits are jurisdiction-specific. You cannot use a 10-digit TARIC code for US customs declarations. You must look up the corresponding 10-digit HTS code in the USITC database. The HS code lookup tool on HSRates can help you find the correct code for each jurisdiction starting from the shared 6-digit HS.
How often do HS codes change?
The WCO updates the Harmonized System approximately every five years. The most recent edition, HS 2022, took effect on 1 January 2022. National extensions (HTS, TARIC, UK commodity codes) change more frequently -- the EU's Combined Nomenclature is updated annually, while the US and UK can modify their tariff schedules through legislative or executive action at any time. Monitoring these changes is critical for maintaining compliance.
What is a CN code, and how does it relate to TARIC?
The Combined Nomenclature (CN) is the EU's 8-digit classification system -- it takes the 6-digit HS code and adds two EU-specific digits. TARIC then adds two more digits on top of the CN to encode specific trade measures such as anti-dumping duties, tariff quotas, and preferential agreements. In practice, when people refer to a "TARIC code," they mean the full 10-digit code. When they say "CN code," they mean the 8-digit version used for customs declarations and trade statistics within the EU.
Key Takeaways: Choosing the Right Tariff Code System
The relationship between HS, HTS, and TARIC codes is hierarchical, not competitive. The 6-digit HS code is the universal foundation shared by every system.
Each jurisdiction then adds digits to serve its own regulatory and statistical needs.
Key takeaway: Always match your tariff code to the destination country's system before shipping:
- US imports: Look up the 10-digit HTS code at USITC
- EU imports: Look up the 10-digit TARIC code at DG TAXUD
- UK imports: Look up the 10-digit commodity code at the UK Trade Tariff
For importers and exporters managing multi-country supply chains, the practical approach is to start with the 6-digit HS code and then look up the national extension for each destination. HSRates automates this comparison by displaying US, EU, and UK duty rates side by side on every HS6 code page, covering more than 5,600 product classifications.
Sources: World Customs Organization (WCO), U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), European Commission DG TAXUD, UK Trade Tariff Service, U.S. Department of Commerce