What is an HTS code, and how do you find yours?
Facts checked 2026-11-03 · HTS Revision 22 (2026)
An HS code is the 6-digit number customs authorities worldwide use to classify goods. The United States extends it into the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), maintained by the US International Trade Commission. The 8-digit level sets the duty rate; 10-digit statistical suffixes identify the exact line used on entries (USITC).
How to read an HTS line
| Column | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| General (column 1) | The normal duty rate for most countries, e.g. “Free”, “6%”, or a per-unit rate like “4.4¢/kg”. |
| Special | Lower rates under trade programs, shown as codes in brackets. “S” means USMCA (Canada and Mexico) for qualifying goods. |
| Column 2 | Rates for a short list of countries; rarely relevant to makers. |
| Footnotes | Often point to Chapter 99 headings (9903.xx.xx) that add duty for some origins or materials. |
Chapter 99: the add-ons
Temporary duties live in Chapter 99. As of HTS Revision 22 (2026), Section 301 headings in U.S. note 52 add duty by country of origin, for example +10% for goods of the United Kingdom (9903.05.81) or Canada (9903.05.29, with an exemption for USMCA goods), and a 10% floor for most EU goods (9903.05.38/39). DDPCalc reads these headings straight from the HTS data and applies them for your origin country (see 9903.05 on HTS).
Finding your code in four steps
- Describe the item plainly: what it is, main material, use. “Soy wax candle in glass jar”, not “cozy vibes candle”.
- Search our HTS lookup by words or digits. It searches the full USITC schedule, bundled and synced (see the date at the top of the page).
- Read the parent headings: the path shown under each result tells you which branch you are in.
- Open the verify link to the same line on hts.usitc.gov. For high-volume or high-duty items, consider a binding ruling from CBP or a licensed customs broker.
Your declaration is your responsibility. Etsy notes its suggested codes are generated by AI through a third party and not guaranteed (Etsy Help). The same caution applies to any tool, including this one.
FAQ
How many digits is a US HTS code?
The first 6 digits are the international HS code. The US adds digits: 8 digits set the duty rate and 10-digit statistical suffixes are used on entries.
Can I trust an AI-suggested HTS code?
Use it as a starting point only. Etsy itself says its suggested codes are AI-generated with no accuracy guarantee. Check the line text and the rate on hts.usitc.gov.
Sources
- USITC HTS search
- USITC HTS external user guide
- Etsy Help: HS codes and the estimated tariffs calculator
- CBP rulings (binding rulings)
Estimate and general information only, not legal, tax or customs advice.