HS Tariff Codes: What fulfillment teams should know

It’s Friday, 3:52 p.m. Your team has picked, packed, and labeled. The truck is waiting. A carrier alert pops up: “Held – customs data incomplete.” One wrong tariff code has stalled the shipment. Phones start ringing, and the sound of the clock ticks louder than the printer.

If that scenario feels familiar, this guide is for you. In a few minutes, you’ll understand what HS, HTS, and Schedule B codes are, how they differ, when each one is used, and how to build a reliable process so your shipments keep moving.

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The 90-second primer (no jargon)

What is a tariff code?

Tariff codes are classification numbers used in international trade to identify products. Customs authorities rely on them to determine duties, import VAT, and applicable taxes. They ensure consistent treatment across borders and proper application of trade agreements. There are three main types you need to understand: HS codes, HTS codes, and Schedule B codes.

HS (Harmonized System) codes

The global six-digit standard used by nearly every country. Recognized in 98% of world trade, HS codes act as the baseline for classification. Each HS code has three parts: chapter (industry sector), heading (product type), and subheading (details). These six digits must always appear on customs documents such as commercial invoices.

HTSUS Code (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States)

The 10-digit U.S. import code. The first six digits align with the HS code; the last four digits are unique to the U.S. and determine duty rates and admissibility. Every U.S. importer must use HTS codes when bringing goods into the country.

Schedule B codes

A 10-digit U.S. export code maintained by the Census Bureau. It also starts with the six-digit HS base, but the last four digits are tailored for U.S. export reporting. Schedule B codes are used for export filings (AES/EEI) and trade statistics. Unlike HTS, Schedule B cannot be used for imports

Why each code matters

HS codes are the global baseline, giving customs a shared language for classifying products. HTSUS codes expand that base with U.S.-specific digits that set duty rates for imports, while Schedule B codes do the same for U.S. exports and trade statistics. Using the right code in the right context ensures shipments clear quickly, duties are applied correctly, and compliance risks stay low.

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New rule you can’t ignore

Starting September 1, 2025, international postal shipments of goods must include a valid 6-digit HS code in the customs data. Shipments with vague product descriptions (like “accessories,” “equipment,” or “clothing”) also risk rejection. DHL eCommerce can assist with HS classification when you provide a clear, specific description - ask your International Sales Manager about enabling that support.

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Common pitfalls & fixes

Errors range from missing tariff numbers to mismatched product facts. You should watch out for the following most common issues that could result in your shipments being held up.

Facts mismatch

The code doesn’t match the product’s real materials, construction, or function. Fix: Capture a short, standard set of facts on every SKU (for example, fiber/content, knit vs. woven, components, power/battery) and pick the code that fits those facts, not the lowest duty rate.

Kits classified by the wrong piece

Teams grab a code for an accessory and miss the item that gives the bundle its essential character. Fix: Choose the code based on the main item; watch for batteries and add any handling notes.

Catalog drift

“TBD” codes and duplicates creep in from client spreadsheets. Fix: Make the product catalog the single source of truth, save the code and a one-line why on the SKU, and block international postal labels if the 6-digit code is missing or the description is generic.

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Your 10-minute HS checklist (do this once per new SKU)

1. Name the product clearly – what is it and what does it do?
2. Record the key facts – materials, construction, components, power source.
3. Identify candidate headings in the HTSUS.
4. Review section and chapter notes.
5. Apply General Rules of Interpretation (specific beats general; kits = essential character).
6. Choose the subheading that matches.
7. Save the decision: code, reason, supporting notes.
8. Add review triggers (new supplier, material change, repeated customs queries).
9. Turn on system validation so labels won’t print without six-digit HS and clear description.
10. For edge cases, consult a licensed customs broker.

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The SOP that saves Fridays

Assign one owner

A reliable HS process is intentionally boring. Start by assigning clear ownership to a specific role, not “everyone.” When one person is accountable for classification and data quality, you avoid last-minute debates on the packing line. That owner keeps the product catalog tidy and ensures each SKU carries the same truth across orders, labels, and returns.

Make the SKU your single source of truth

Treat the SKU record as your source of truth. For each item, store the HS code (HTSUS), a specific plain-language description, country of origin, the duty rate at assignment, the short “why” behind your choice, and a review date. Keeping the explanation with the code helps new teammates follow your path and gives brokers/customs a clean audit trail.

Add two gates before labels print

Build two gates into your flow. Gate #1 sits before international postal label creation and checks for a valid 6-digit HS code and a specific item description - no pass, no label. Gate #2 pauses any label (postal or express) if a SKU is under classification review. These predictable stops turn Friday scrambles into quick, earlier-day edits.

Stop catalog drift with triggers and change logs

Keep the catalog from drifting by setting lightweight triggers to recheck codes: material changes, new suppliers/factories, feature updates that alter function, repeated customs questions, or major duty updates. When a trigger fires, the owner reviews the SKU, updates the reasoning, and the system records who changed what and when. The log preserves speed when the floor is busy.

Collaborate with brokers and carriers

Loop in helpers, but share context. Send photos, specs, and your short reasoning to your broker; don’t just send a number. Ask for written confirmations on tricky items and attach them to the SKU. As a backstop, talk with your DHL International Sales Manager about enabling classification assist to use for new SKUs or messy client catalogs, as a safety net, not the daily plan.

Close the loop on returns

Returns cross borders too. Let the return label pull the HS code and description from the SKU record so customs data mirrors the outbound. Capture reason codes (wrong size, defect, remorse) to support duty drawback or reconciliation. For warranty swaps or advance replacements, link outbound and inbound records to the same SKU so customs sees one clean story.

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Make it routine

When this process is routine, customs stops become rare. Shipments clear faster, landed costs are consistent, and compliance audits become uneventful. With the 2025 HS rule baked into your workflow, six-digit codes and specific descriptions are just another check you always pass.

Keep the loop tight on returns, recheck codes when products or suppliers change, and lean on your broker or carrier assist when an edge case pops up. Do that and your boxes move, your dashboards stay green, and your team gets its Friday back.

Note: For product-specific classification questions, review HTSUS notes and consult a licensed customs broker.

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Disclaimer

This guide offers practical operations guidance and is not legal advice. For specific products, always review the HTSUS notes and work with a licensed customs broker or trade specialist.