About LookupHTS

Why I Built This

I'm Omar, the developer behind LookupHTS. My background is in building data tools — taking messy, complicated datasets and turning them into something people can actually use without pulling their hair out.

The idea for LookupHTS came from a simple frustration. I was working on a project involving U.S. import data, and every time I needed to look up an HTS code or check a duty rate, I found myself slogging through the official USITC website. The data was all there — it's public domain, freely available — but the interface felt like it was designed in 2004 and hadn't been touched since. Searching was clunky. Navigating between chapters was slow. And if you wanted to quickly check whether an FTA rate applied to a specific code, good luck finding that information without clicking through five different pages.

I figured if I was having this problem as someone who works with data for a living, importers and customs brokers who deal with this every single day must be dealing with it ten times worse. So I started building.

What LookupHTS Actually Is

LookupHTS is a free, independent search tool for the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule. It covers all 13,650+ HTS codes across 98 chapters from the current 2026 USITC schedule. You can search by keyword, browse by chapter, check duty rates, see which free trade agreement programs apply to any code, and use the built-in duty calculator to estimate what you'll owe at the border.

I also write the guides and articles on this site. They're not filler content — they're the explanations I wish existed when I was first trying to understand how tariff classification works. Topics like how Section 301 tariffs actually stack on top of regular duties, what Chapter 99 codes mean on a customs entry, why the $800 de minimis rule is changing, and when it's actually worth paying for a customs broker. I try to write them the way I'd explain things to a friend: plainly, honestly, and with real examples instead of legal jargon.

My Approach to Data

All tariff data on LookupHTS is sourced directly from the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which is public domain data published by the U.S. government. I parse the raw USITC data, structure it for fast search, and update the database when new revisions are released. The current data reflects the 2026 Revision 5 of the HTS.

I care a lot about accuracy. Trade data has real financial consequences — a wrong duty rate or a missed Chapter 99 provision can cost an importer thousands of dollars. That said, I'm a developer, not a licensed customs broker. Which brings me to the important part:

Important Disclaimer

LookupHTS is an informational resource, not a licensed customs brokerage, law firm, or trade advisory service. Nothing on this site constitutes official customs classification advice, legal advice, or a substitute for working with a licensed customs broker or trade compliance professional.

Tariff classifications and duty rates change frequently — sometimes multiple times per year — due to Presidential proclamations, executive orders, trade agreement modifications, and Congressional action. The HTS data on this site is updated regularly, but there may be a lag between when the USITC publishes a revision and when it's reflected here. Always verify classifications against the official USITC database or consult a licensed customs broker before filing customs entries.

What's Next

I'm actively improving LookupHTS. Things on my roadmap include better Chapter 99 cross-referencing so you can instantly see which additional tariffs apply to any code, expanded coverage of trade remedy orders (anti-dumping and countervailing duties), and more in-depth guides covering the topics that importers and trade professionals ask about most. If there's a feature you'd find useful, I genuinely want to hear about it.

Get in Touch

Whether you have a question about the site, found a data error, want to suggest a feature, or just want to say hi — I'd love to hear from you. Reach me at [email protected].