Classifying a product under the correct HTS code is part science, part art. The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule has 13,650 codes across 98 chapters — finding the right one requires a systematic approach. Here's how to do it.
Step 1: Describe Your Product Precisely
Start with a detailed written description of your product. Include:
- What it is — its common name and function
- What it's made of — material composition matters enormously (e.g., cotton vs. polyester, steel vs. aluminum)
- How it's processed — fresh, frozen, dried, assembled, etc.
- Its primary use — industrial, consumer, medical, agricultural
Step 2: Search LookupHTS
Enter your description in the LookupHTS search bar. The tool searches all 13,650 codes from the 2026 USITC schedule and surfaces the most relevant results. Look at the description, heading title, and duty rate for each result.
Step 3: Navigate the Chapter Structure
The HTS schedule is organized into 21 sections and 98 chapters. If you know roughly what category your product falls into, browse directly to that chapter. For example:
- Live animals → Chapter 01
- Electronics → Chapters 84–85
- Apparel → Chapters 61–62
- Vehicles → Chapter 87
- Plastics → Chapter 39
Step 4: Apply the General Rules of Interpretation
The USITC schedule includes six General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs) that govern how goods are classified. The most important: goods should be classified according to the terms of the headings, not by inference. When in doubt, the more specific description wins over a general one.
Step 5: Check the Duty Rate and Special Programs
Once you have a code, note three duty columns:
- General (MFN): The standard rate for most countries
- Special: Reduced or zero rates for FTA partner countries (see the letter codes in parentheses)
- Column 2: Higher rates for non-market-economy countries (currently Russia and Belarus)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Classifying by appearance rather than material (a plastic bowl and a ceramic bowl have different codes)
- Ignoring the "other" or residual subheadings
- Confusing the product's end use with its classification (HTS classifies what it is, not always what it's used for)
When to Get a Binding Ruling
If you're unsure about a classification — especially for high-value goods or goods with high duty rates — you can request a binding ruling from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. CBP will tell you definitively which HTS code applies, and you can import with confidence. Apply at rulings.cbp.gov.