Customs Classification: More Support

These WCO Nomenclature and Classification of Goods Instruments Support tools assist you in customs classification.

Instruments and Tools

HS Convention

The HS is governed by "The International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System". It can be accessed here.

HS Nomenclature 2022 Edition

HS 2022, which is the seventh edition of the Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature, is used worldwide for the uniform classification of goods traded internationally, and has been accepted by all Contracting Parties to the Harmonized System Convention. It can be accessed here.

Recommendations Related to the Harmonized System

This is a list of the WCO Recommendations related to the HS Convention, with the aim of ensuring the correct and uniform application of the Harmonized System Convention. You can find these here

Tools to assist with the classification in the HS

As the custodian of the Harmonized System, the WCO offers numerous resources to its members and the public to aid in classifying commodities within the system.

Among these resources are the following key tools:

1. Explanatory Notes. Comprising five volumes in both English and French, the Explanatory Notes are not formally incorporated into the Harmonized System Convention. Nonetheless, endorsed by the WCO Council, they serve as the authoritative interpretation of the Harmonized System on the global stage, providing an essential supplement to the system itself.
   

2. Classification Opinions includes a list of the most significant/difficult classification decisions the Harmonized System Committee took.
   

3. Alphabetical Index. To facilitate the location of references in the Harmonized System Nomenclature or in the Explanatory Notes to any of the products or articles mentioned therein, the WCO has also published an Index.
   

4. Classification Decisions. Classification Decisions are taken by the Harmonized System Committee. View main page. View the Latest Classification Decisions of the HS Committee

Activities and Programmes

• Exploratory study on a possible strategic review of the HS In this section, you will find all the information and resources about the study project. read more
  

• 30 years of HS In this section, you will find articles and publications on the HS that were issued to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Harmonized System Convention. read more
  

• Amending the HS The WCO manages the HS review process through the Harmonized System Committee – representing the Contracting Parties to the HS Convention – and more specifically through its HS Review Sub-Committee. Each Review Cycle typically lasts five years. read more
  

• HS Dispute Settlement The HS Convention has set up the HS Committee as an international dispute settlement body. To date, the HS Committee has solved many disputes, thus contributing to achieving uniform classification and ensuring transparency with regard to HS classification. read more
  

• HS Reservation Process If a Contracting Party to the Harmonized System (HS) Convention has notified the Secretary General that it requests that a certain matter be (i) re-examined by the HS Committee or (ii) referred to the Council, a so called “reservation” is entered by a Contracting Party to the HS Convention. In such instance, the matter of concern to the Contracting Party shall be re-examined by the HS Committee. read more

Resources

• Contacts WCO Officers in charge of NomenclatureHS Contact Points in Member administrationsContact points for exchange of information on HS classification matters read more
  

• Publications Free and payable publications related to the nomenclature and classification work. read more
  

• Historical documents of the Harmonized System Committee The WCO maintains a historical documentation database. This database contains Harmonized System Committee documents and reports (without disclosing the business confidential information or classification questions currently under consideration). read more
  

• Tariff Classification and Duty Rates WCO does not provide information about tariff classification of goods or duty rates to private parties. Enquirers are, therefore, advised to contact the Customs administration of the country concerned, or to consult one of the following web sites with respect to duty rates. read more
  

• National and international Customs tariff Links to national and international Customs tariff data. read more
  

• Percentage of national revenue represented by Customs duties This publication provides information about the share of national revenues represented by Customs duties. read more