HS Code vs HTS Code: What's the Difference?
April 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Importers often use "HS code" and "HTS code" interchangeably. They're related but not the same — and the difference affects what you pay at the border.
Quick Answer
HS Code (6 digits)
International standard used by 200+ countries. Identifies the product category. Same worldwide. Maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
8517.62
HTS Code (10 digits)
US-specific classification that determines your exact duty rate. Built on the HS code with 4 additional digits. Maintained by the USITC.
8517.62.0090
HS Code: The International Standard
The Harmonized System (HS) is maintained by the World Customs Organization and used by over 200 countries. It provides a 6-digit classification for every tradeable product.
When your Chinese supplier puts an HS code on a commercial invoice, they're using the same first 6 digits that US Customs will recognize. This is what makes international trade work — a shared language for classifying goods.
HS codes are organized into 97 chapters (01-97) grouped into 21 sections. The structure goes from raw materials (Chapter 01: Live animals) to manufactured goods (Chapter 85: Electrical machinery).
HTS Code: The US-Specific Extension
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) takes each 6-digit HS code and adds 4 more digits to pinpoint the exact product and its duty rate.
This is where it gets critical for importers: two products with the same HS code can have very different HTS codes — and very different duty rates. For example:
- 6109.10.0012 — Men's cotton T-shirts: 16.5% duty
- 6109.10.0027 — Women's cotton T-shirts: 16.5% duty
- 6109.90.1007 — Men's synthetic T-shirts: 32% duty
Same basic product (T-shirts), same HS heading (6109), but the material composition doubles the duty rate.
When to Use Each
| Situation | Use |
|---|---|
| Communicating with foreign suppliers | HS code (6 digits) |
| Filing US customs entry | HTS code (10 digits) |
| Calculating US import duty | HTS code (8-10 digits) |
| Determining FTA eligibility | HTS code (varies by agreement) |
| International trade statistics | HS code (6 digits) |
| Exporting from the US | Schedule B code (10 digits, different from HTS) |
Other Countries Have Their Own Extensions
Just as the US adds 4 digits to create HTS codes, other countries add their own:
- EU: CN code (Combined Nomenclature) — 8 digits
- China: Chinese Tariff code — 10 digits
- Japan: HS-J code — 9 digits
- India: ITC-HS code — 8 digits
The first 6 digits match internationally. Everything after that is country-specific.
Bottom Line
Your supplier gives you an HS code. Your customs broker needs an HTS code. The first 6 digits are the same — but those last 4 digits determine what you actually pay.
Next Steps
- Look up the full HTS code for your product
- Calculate your total landed cost with our free calculator
- Read our complete HTS code guide for a deeper dive