United States · HS, HTS & Schedule B
HS Codes for Importing Into the USA (HTS & Schedule B)
How HS code USA classifications extend into HTS codes for US imports, how Schedule B differs, and how importers can find the correct 10‑digit code.
Quick answer
For US imports, HTS codes are what matter. They extend the global HS code (HS-6) into a longer US-specific format (typically 10 digits), and those extra digits determine duty/tax logic and whether trade programs like Section 301 apply.
To classify correctly, you shortlist candidate HTS lines, validate using the official chapter/section notes, and then confirm the final digits for your product.
From HS code to HTS code
When you import goods into the United States, customs officials use HTS codes (Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes) to determine duty, trade remedy measures, and reporting requirements. HTS codes are based on the global HS code system but extend it to 10 digits for US‑specific detail.
Every HTS code begins with the same six digits as the international HS code. The remaining four digits are added by the US to capture more detailed product breakdowns and statistical reporting needs.
For many importers, the practical question is less about theory and more about impact: those last four digits are what determine whether a shipment attracts additional duties under programmes like Section 301 tariffs, safeguard measures, or other trade actions. Two products that look similar at a high level can end up under completely different duty treatments because they fall under different 10‑digit HTS lines.
HTS digit mapping (what the extra digits change)
If you only remember one thing: HS-6 is the shared backbone, and HTS adds extra digits to express US-specific duty rates, statistical reporting, and trade remedy references.
| Level | Typical digits | How it affects classification |
|---|---|---|
| HS-6 | 6 digits | Global product category used everywhere |
| HTS (US) | 10 digits | US-specific duty logic, reporting, and trade remedy line references |
Schedule B vs HTS codes
The United States also uses Schedule B codes for export reporting, maintained by the Census Bureau. In most cases, the Schedule B code shares the first six HS digits with the import HTS code, but the last digits can differ.
- Use HTS for import declarations with US Customs and Border Protection.
- Use Schedule B for filing Electronic Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System.
| Code type | Used for | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| HTS | US imports (customs entry) | Drives import duty/tax logic and trade remedy measures |
| Schedule B | US exports (EEI / AEA filings) | Share HS-6 start, but last digits can differ for export reporting |
In many day‑to‑day scenarios, companies maintain a mapping between their internal SKU list, the import HTS code, and the export Schedule B code. When product design or packaging changes, revisiting both sides of that mapping avoids mismatches between what you declare when goods enter the country and what you report when they leave.
How to find the correct HTS code
A simple, repeatable workflow makes US classification much less stressful. Many importers follow a variation of these steps:
- Describe your product in detail — material, function, form, how it is packaged, and how it is normally sold to customers.
- Use an HS / HTS lookup tool such as TradeTools HS code lookup to search by description or partial code and identify candidate headings.
- Read the section and chapter notes in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to understand exclusions, clarifications, and special rules that might move your product into a different heading.
- Compare the wording of similar 10‑digit lines and choose the one that best matches your product. Pay attention to phrases like "other", "for use with", or specific material references.
- Finally, check whether any special programmes, free trade agreements, or trade remedies such as Section 301 apply to the code you have selected.
Section 301 and duty: worked example (illustrative)
This is the part importers usually care about: not just “what is the HTS code,” but “how does that change my duty?” Since Section 301 is applied at detailed HTS line levels, two shipments that look similar at HS-6 can end up with different duty treatments.
| Step | What you do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Start with HS-6 | Pick the correct global HS-6 for the product | HTS always builds on HS-6 |
| 2) Map to HTS-10 | Choose the correct 10-digit HTS line (final digits matter) | Section 301 is tied to HTS lines |
| 3) Check Section 301 impact | Apply the applicable remedy rate(s) tied to that HTS line | Different HTS lines can trigger different add-on duties |
Example math (illustrative)
Imagine you've declared a customs value of $50,000. If your HTS line has an MFN duty rate of 3%, and the same HTS line is also subject to an additional 25% Section 301-style add-on (illustrative rate example), then:
- Base duty = 50,000 × 3% = $1,500
- Additional duty = 50,000 × 25% = $12,500
- Total estimated duty = $1,500 + $12,500 = $14,000
Note: this is an illustrative calculation format. Always use the official HTS line rates and the specific trade remedy text that applies to your product and country.
Key takeaway: HTS classification is where duty “lives.” Once you're confident with the HS backbone, focus on the final HTS digits and then check whether your line triggers programs like Section 301.
Best practices for US importers
- Keep an internal database of approved HTS codes for each SKU.
- Review codes when product design, materials, or use changes.
- Seek binding rulings from US Customs for complex or high‑risk products.
Tools like TradeTools make it faster to search for HS and HTS codes by description, but final classification decisions should be confirmed against the official Harmonized Tariff Schedule and, where appropriate, with a licensed customs broker.
Over time, a disciplined approach to classification — backed by documented reasoning, internal codes, and rulings where needed — can make customs reviews far more predictable. Instead of scrambling to justify a code after a shipment is held, your team can simply share the logic that was applied when the product was first introduced.
Key takeaway: For US import work, treat HTS digits as compliance-critical: validate your candidate HTS line, then double-check any trade remedy logic (including Section 301) before you file.
FAQ
Is HS code the same as HTS code in the US?
What is the difference between HTS and Schedule B?
How do I find the correct HTS code for my product?
Can I rely only on AI tools for HTS classification?
Why do Section 301 / trade remedies depend on HTS digits?
Last updated: March 2026