HTS Code
/ˌeɪtʃ tiː ˈɛs ˈkoʊd/
An HTS code is the 8–10 digit number assigned to an imported product under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). For example, 6109.10.00 covers cotton knit T-shirts: chapter 61 (knitted apparel), heading 6109 (T-shirts and tank tops), subheading 6109.10 (of cotton). The code is the single output of a classification determination, and it controls the duty rate owed, the trade remedies that apply, and which agencies have jurisdiction over the entry.
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In Detail
The structure of an HTS code follows a layered hierarchy. The first two digits identify the chapter; digits 3–4 specify the heading within that chapter; digits 5–6 narrow to the international subheading shared with all WCO member countries; digits 7–8 further specify the U.S. subheading; and digits 9–10 are the statistical suffix used for trade data collection. Duties and trade remedies are typically assessed at the 8-digit level, though some Chapter 99 overlays target specific 10-digit codes.
The correct HTS code for a product is determined by applying the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) to the text of the HTSUS headings, section notes, chapter notes, and subheading notes. The process is sequential: GRI 1 is evaluated first, then GRI 2 if needed, and so on. A product cannot have more than one correct HTS code when the same product attributes are evaluated against the same HTSUS version.
HTS codes are not permanent. The USITC revises the schedule at least annually, and a code that existed in one year may be restructured, renumbered, or split in the next. Trade remedy actions can also change the effective tariff burden of a code significantly from year to year. Any classification program must track which HTSUS version was in effect at the time of importation.
Classification Significance
The HTS code on the entry summary (CBP Form 7501) is the legally operative classification. Errors in HTS code assignment—whether from misapplied notes, skipped GRI steps, or stale tariff schedules—directly translate to duty underpayment, trade remedy non-compliance, and potential CBP audit liability. Getting the right code requires a complete, legally defensible reasoning chain, not a lookup table.
How Kanon Handles This
Kanon's classification engine applies the GRI in full legal sequence against a structured corpus of the HTSUS to arrive at a single, deterministic HTS code. The full reasoning chain—every provision evaluated, every note consulted, the specific GRI rule that resolved the classification—is captured in a Classification Support Package and preserved as an immutable audit record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sample HTS code?
6109.10.00 is a typical example: 61 = chapter (knitted apparel), 6109 = heading (T-shirts, singlets, tank tops), 6109.10 = international subheading (of cotton), 6109.10.00 = U.S. rate line. Two more statistical digits complete the 10-digit code reported on the entry. See more HTS code examples across common product types.
How many digits is an HTS code?
Ten on an entry summary. The first six are the international HS subheading, digits 7–8 are the U.S. rate line where the duty is set, and digits 9–10 are the statistical suffix.
How do I find the HTS code for my product?
Apply the General Rules of Interpretation to the HTSUS text, starting with the heading terms and the section and chapter notes (GRI 1), then moving down only as far as needed. A keyword search can suggest candidates, but the legally correct code comes from that rule sequence, and the reasoning is what defends it in a CBP audit. Kanon's HTS code lookup runs that sequence for you, and the step-by-step classification guide walks through it by hand.