What is HTS?
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a 10-digit classification system used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to determine duty rates for imported goods. Every product entering the United States must be classified under the correct HTS code to calculate applicable tariffs.
How HTS Codes Work
HTS codes are hierarchical, moving from broad categories to specific products:
Example: 6205.20.2015
62 — Apparel (not knit)
6205 — Men's shirts
6205.20 — Of cotton
6205.20.20 — Not made from certified hand-loomed fabric
6205.20.2015 — Dress shirts
Why Classification Matters
The same product can have different HTS codes depending on material, construction, or intended use — and each code can have a different duty rate. For example:
Men's Shirts
6205.20.2015 — Cotton dress shirts: 19.7% duty
6205.30.2010 — Polyester dress shirts: 32.5% duty
6205.90.2010 — Silk dress shirts: 2.6% duty
Getting the classification wrong can result in:
- Overpaying duties (incorrect classification to a higher rate)
- Compliance penalties (underpaying and getting audited by CBP)
- Shipment delays (holds while CBP reviews classification)
Common HTS Chapters
Here are some frequently used chapters:
Chapter 61 & 62 — Apparel
61 = Knit apparel (t-shirts, sweaters)
62 = Woven apparel (dress shirts, trousers)
Chapter 39 — Plastics
Includes phone cases, storage containers, plastic goods
Chapter 95 — Toys & Sports Equipment
Games, puzzles, exercise equipment, balls
Chapter 85 — Electronics
Phones, computers, electronic components
Using Tarifix for HTS Lookup
Tarifix customers can:
- Search the full HTS schedule by keyword, material, or code
- View current duty rates for all country pairs
- See historical rate changes and Section 301 modifications
- Browse CBP rulings related to specific HTS codes
- Export HTS data as CSV for analysis
Request early access to try the full HTS lookup tool.
External Resources
For manual HTS lookup, you can use:
- USITC HTS Database: hts.usitc.gov (official source)
- CBP Rulings Database: rulings.cbp.gov (binding classification decisions)
- Schedule B: census.gov (for export classification)