How to Find the HS Code

What the digits mean

The first six digits are shared worldwide; everything after them is added by the importing territory:

The first six digits your producer gives you are usually right, but the full national code in the country of import is yours to confirm. Two countries can classify the same alloy differently beyond the sixth digit.

Why it matters

• The customs duty rate and the import VAT rate are set by this code.
• Additional duties, anti-dumping duties and safeguard measures are applied on a code basis.
• Which documents are required — conformity assessment, control certificates, registration in national systems — depends on the code.
• Rules of origin and preferential tariff treatment operate through the code.
• An incorrect declaration can result in a duty difference plus an administrative fine.

How to find the right code

1. Read the tariff schedule of the country of import. The EU publishes the Combined Nomenclature and TARIC, the United States the HTSUS, Türkiye the Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule. Identify the chapter your article falls into, then read the heading texts in order.
2. Apply the General Rules for the Interpretation of the HS. Classification follows the material and the intended use of the article, not its commercial name. Chapter and section notes are binding.
3. Look at comparable binding rulings. The EU publishes its Binding Tariff Information decisions in a public database, with the article description and the reasoning; US Customs publishes its rulings in CROSS.
4. Ask your customs broker. With alloys and mixtures in particular, the proportion of each element can change the code, so a specialist opinion saves time.
5. If there is genuine doubt, apply for a binding ruling. See below.

Binding tariff rulings

A binding tariff ruling is an administrative decision in which the customs authority determines, bindingly, which tariff heading your article falls under. If you will be importing regularly, it removes the uncertainty.

European Union

Binding Tariff Information (BTI), applied for through the EU Customs Trader Portal. Valid for three years and binding on every member state.

United Kingdom

Advance Tariff Ruling (ATaR), applied for through HMRC. Valid for three years.

United States

A tariff classification ruling from CBP under 19 CFR Part 177, requested through the eRulings template. Binding at every port of entry.

Türkiye

Binding Tariff Information (BTB), issued by the Directorate General of Customs or an authorised regional directorate. Valid for six years from the date of issue.

Cost

The application itself is normally free of charge. Only chemical analysis, expert examination and the return of the sample are at the applicant's expense.

What you need to supply

The name and address of the applicant and the holder, the proposed tariff heading (optional), a detailed description of the article, its commercial designation and supporting documents.

Headings commonly used for metallurgical raw materials

The table below is a pointer at four-digit heading level. The full national code depends on the purity, the form and the proportions of the article, and is determined by the customs authority of the country of import.

When you request a quote

The HS code field in our quote and request forms is optional. If you know the code, write it: it lets us work out the import cost and the required documents in advance. If you do not, leave it blank and we will settle it together from the material description.