HTS codes & tariffs
HTS codes and Section 301 tariffs on imports from China
Your product's HTS code sets the duty you pay, decides whether Section 301 tariffs apply, and flags which other agencies regulate it. Here's how to find the right code and work out what you'll actually owe.
- Code length
- 10 digits in the US
- Where to look it up
- USITC tariff database
- Certainty
- CBP binding ruling
Updated
What an HTS code is
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) classifies every product that can be imported. Each product has a 10-digit code:
- Digits 1–2: the chapter — broad product groups, such as chapter 94 for furniture or chapter 61 for knitted clothing.
- Digits 1–6: the international HS code — the same in China, the US and most other countries.
- Digits 7–8: the US tariff line — this is where the duty rate is set.
- Digits 9–10: the statistical suffix — used for trade statistics.
How to find your HTS code
Describe the product precisely
What it is, what it's made of (with percentages if it's a mix), how it works, and what it's used for. Classification follows the product's physical nature, not how you describe it in your store.
Search the official schedule
The US International Trade Commission publishes the full HTS online at hts.usitc.gov. Search by keyword, then read the chapter and heading notes, which often include or exclude specific products.
Check how CBP has ruled before
CBP's CROSS rulings database (rulings.cbp.gov) contains thousands of past classification decisions. Search for similar products to see which code CBP chose and why.
Confirm with your customs broker
Before production, not after the goods have shipped. If the classification is genuinely uncertain, you can request a binding ruling from CBP, which applies to all future imports of the same product.
Working out what you will actually pay
The duty on goods from China is usually built from several layers, all charged as a percentage of the customs value:
| Layer | What it is |
|---|---|
| General duty | The "General" column rate for your HTS code. Ranges from free to over 30%. |
| Section 301 tariffs | Additional tariffs on many Chinese-made goods, set out in lists by HTS code. Rates vary by product. |
| Other additional duties | Tariffs under other legal authorities have been added, changed and challenged in court since 2025. Check what is in force on the date of entry. |
| Anti-dumping and countervailing duties | Product-specific duties on items such as wooden bedroom furniture and mattresses. They can be very large. |
| MPF and HMF | The Merchandise Processing Fee and, for ocean cargo, the Harbor Maintenance Fee. |
Because these layers change, and because the rate is the one in force on the day of entry rather than the day you ordered, always confirm the total rate for your specific code when you place the order and again when you book the shipment.
Section 301 tariffs in practice
Since 2018, the US has imposed additional tariffs on a large share of goods from China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. They were introduced in several lists, each covering a set of HTS codes. A 2024 review raised rates further on selected strategic products such as electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors, solar cells and some steel and aluminium items.
Some products have been granted temporary exclusions, which are extended or allowed to lapse from time to time. If your product might qualify, check the current exclusion list for its exact HTS code.
Classification mistakes that cost importers money
- Using the supplier's Chinese code as if it were a US code.
- Classifying by use instead of material. A storage box is classified by whether it's plastic, wood or metal.
- Ignoring sets and kits. Items sold together have their own classification rules, usually based on the component that gives the set its essential character.
- Picking the lowest-duty code that "could" fit. CBP can reclassify, collect the difference with interest, and impose penalties for negligence.
- Checking duty after production. By then, the margin is already gone.
See also: how US customs clearance works and every charge in your landed cost.
FAQ
HTS codes & tariffs: common questions
The questions importers ask us before the first booking. If yours is not here, ask us directly — a real coordinator replies, not an auto-responder.
How do I find the HTS code for my product?
Search the official schedule at hts.usitc.gov, check past CBP rulings for similar products at rulings.cbp.gov, and confirm the result with a licensed customs broker. For certainty, request a binding ruling from CBP.
Can I use the HS code from my Chinese supplier?
Only the first six digits. They should match internationally, but the last four digits of the US code are specific to the US schedule and decide the duty rate.
How do I know if Section 301 tariffs apply to my product?
Section 301 tariffs are listed by HTS code. Once you have the correct 10-digit code, check it against the current Section 301 lists and any active exclusions.
What happens if I use the wrong HTS code?
CBP can reclassify the goods, collect any unpaid duty with interest, and impose penalties. If you overpaid, you may be able to file a correction or protest to recover the difference.
Do tariff rates change after I place my order?
They can. Duty is charged at the rate in force on the date the goods are entered into the US, not the date you ordered. Check the rate again when you book shipping.