Assign accurate 6-digit HS codes to your entire product catalog in minutes, not weeks. ClassifyHQ's AI classifies products, runs cross-checks, and outputs country-specific tariff codes for US, EU, UK, Norway, and Canada.
90%+
Exact HS6 accuracy
96%+
Defensible accuracy
5×
Country outputs
The Basics
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature for classifying traded products. Maintained by the World Customs Organization, it assigns every physical product a 6-digit code that customs authorities in 200+ countries recognize.
HS code classification is the process of determining the correct 6-digit code for a product based on its physical characteristics, materials, function, and intended use. Getting it right determines the duty rate applied at every border your goods cross.
Countries extend the 6-digit HS base with additional digits for their national tariff schedules — the US uses 10-digit HTS codes, the EU uses 10-digit TARIC codes, and so on. ClassifyHQ derives all country-specific extensions automatically.
HS Code Anatomy
Chapter (2 digits)
Broad product category — Chapter 61: Knitted or crocheted clothing
Heading (4 digits)
Product type — 6109: T-shirts, singlets, and similar garments
Subheading (6 digits)
Material/spec — 6109.10: Of cotton · HS6 stops here
National extension (8–10 digits)
Country-specific — varies per market · derived automatically by ClassifyHQ
Comparison
Traditional HS classification relies on customs brokers or in-house trade specialists — expensive, slow, and difficult to scale. Here's how AI compares.
| Factor | Manual (Broker) | Manual (In-house) | ClassifyHQ AI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 2–5 days per batch | Hours per product | 5–15 seconds per product |
| Cost | $15–50 per product | $60–100k/yr salary | Flat monthly subscription |
| Scale | Limited by headcount | Limited by headcount | Thousands per day |
| Accuracy (HS6) | ~95% (experienced) | 70–85% | 90%+ exact, 96%+ defensible |
| Audit trail | Email thread, if any | Spreadsheet notes | Structured reasoning per product |
| Multi-country output | One country at a time | One country at a time | 5 markets simultaneously |
| Cross-checks | Manual peer review | Rare | Automated on every product |
| Available 24/7 | No | No | Yes |
* Accuracy figures based on internal benchmark evaluation against CBP ruling database samples. Manual accuracy varies significantly by practitioner experience.
How It Works
ClassifyHQ doesn't use a simple keyword lookup. Each classification runs through a multi-stage AI pipeline designed to match how customs authorities reason.
The AI reads the product name, materials, construction method, intended use, and any additional attributes you provide.
The model applies WCO General Rules of Interpretation to navigate through HS chapters, headings, and subheadings to the most specific applicable code.
A second independent pass validates the result. Disagreements are flagged for review. Confidence scores reflect agreement level between reasoning passes.
The base HS6 code is mapped to HTS10 (US), TARIC (EU), UK Tariff, Norwegian Tariff, and Canadian CT using authoritative tariff schedule data.
Accuracy
ClassifyHQ is continuously evaluated against a ground-truth set of US Customs and Border Protection binding rulings — publicly available decisions where a customs authority confirmed the correct code for a specific product description.
Same 6-digit code as the ruling
Correct chapter + heading (auditably defensible)
Full 10-digit HTS code for US customs
Accuracy improves with richer product descriptions including material composition and intended use.
CBP Ruling Sample
Organic cotton crewneck sweater
CBP Ruling
6110.20
ClassifyHQ AI
6110.20
CBP Ruling Sample
ABS plastic wireless speaker
CBP Ruling
8518.22
ClassifyHQ AI
8518.22
Use Cases
Classify new product lines before launch. Avoid customs delays and duty miscalculations that erode margins on cross-border orders.
Speed up pre-clearance classification for shipper catalogs. Reduce the back-and-forth with clients over missing product data.
Audit and reclassify existing catalogs. Generate structured audit packets with reasoning trails for customs authority review.
FAQ
Join the waitlist for early access. Or explore the free HS code browser — no account needed.
Also see: HTS classification software comparison →