How to find the right HS codes and commodity codes?

You can find HS codes and commodity codes (such as CN codes and TARIC codes) online in the Dutch Customs Administration tariff database. Or in the EU's Access2Markets. Looking up the right code for your product can be difficult. There are several steps you need to follow. This article will help you by showing examples of how to look up the code for your product. 

HS codes and commodity codes are numerical codes used by Customs to classify products. With the right code, you know how much import duty you will pay. The codes also determine what other measures are in place when you import or export products. For example, whether you need a licence or certificate.

Search in the tariff database

The examples below explain how to look up the HS code and commodity code of leather handbags in the Dutch Customs Tariff system. 
In example 1, you export leather handbags to a country outside the EU. Eight steps will lead you to the 6-digit HS code and the 8-digit export commodity for leather handbags. This is known as the CN code (CN stands for ‘combined nomenclature’). 

In example 2, you import leather handbags from outside the EU. You need the 6-digit HS code and the 10-digit import commodity code (TARIC code) for leather handbags.

Bron: Dutch Chamber of Commerce

Examples

    1. Open the Tariff database. You can change the language by clicking on English in the top right-hand corner.

    2. Click on the 'nomenclature' tab and within it on 'query by nomenclature'.

    3. Under ‘Trade direction’, select 'export'.

    4. Click on the folder 'SECTION VIII - Raw hides and skins, leather, furskins and artificial fur; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags, and similar containers; articles of animal gut (CHAPTER 41 - 43)'.

    5. Then click on folder 'CHAPTER 42 -  ARTICLES OF LEATHER; SADDLERY AND HARNESS; TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS; ARTICLES OF ANIMAL GUT (OTHER THAN SILKWORM GUT)'.

    6. Open folder '4202'. This includes folders for travel items, handbags, and salvage items.

    7. Select the folder '-Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without handle'. 

    8. You will now see the code 4202 21 00 '--with outer surface of leather or of composition leather'.

    4202 21 00 is the CN code you use to export leather handbags. Clicking on the magnifying glass behind the code will take you to the EU export measures. You can also fill in the destination country you want to export to under 'Country'. Then click on 'Search'. You will then see which EU export measures apply to that country.

    The HS code is 4202 21. This code is the first six 6 digits of the CN code.

    1. Open the Tariff database. You can change the language by clicking on English in the top right-hand corner.

    2. Click on the 'nomenclature' tab and within it on 'query by nomenclature'.

    3. Under ‘Trade direction’, select 'import'.

    4. Click on the folder 'SECTION VIII - Raw hides and skins, leather and furskins, leather goods and fur; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (CHAPTER 41 - 43)'.

    5. Then click on folder 'CHAPTER 42 - ARTICLES OF LEATHER; SADDLERY AND HARNESS; TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS; ARTICLES OF ANIMAL GUT (OTHER THAN SILKWORM GUT)’. Open folder '4202'. This includes travel items, handbags, and salvage items.

    6. Select the folder '-handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without handles'. You will now see a folder with code 4202 21 '--with outer surface of leather or of composition leather'.

    7. If you click on folder 4202 21 you will then see 4202 21 00 10 '--- made by hand' and 4202 21 00 90 '---other'. 
      'Other' means made in a way other than by hand, i.e. machine-made.

    You use TARIC code 4202 21 00 10 for imports into the EU of handmade leather handbags. Do you import machine-made leather handbags? Then use TARIC code 4202 21 00 90.

    If you click on the magnifying glasses behind the codes, you will see the import duty rates and EU import measures. You can also indicate the country you want to import from under 'Country'. Then click on 'Search'. You will then see what import duties and import measures apply to imports from that country.

    The HS code is 4202 21. This code is the first 6 digits of the TARIC code.