What an HS code is
The Harmonized System is the international product coding used by customs almost everywhere. The code decides the duty a buyer pays, which rules apply, and whether a trade agreement discount is available. It is also how trade data is organised, so you need it to research markets and buyers.
| Level | Name | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2 digits | Chapter | 82: tools and cutlery of base metal |
| 4 digits | Heading | 8204: hand-operated spanners and wrenches |
| 6 digits | Subheading, the same in every country | 8204.11: non-adjustable spanners |
| 8 digits | India's ITC(HS) national code | Used on Indian shipping bills |
Find your code
- Check the code on your past shipping bills, or ask your customs broker what they have used.
- Look it up in India's ITC(HS) classification published by DGFT, reading the chapter and section notes, not just the description.
- Check how competitors' shipments of the same product are coded in trade data. Treat this as a hint, not proof.
Look up the destination duty
Market Access Map, run by the International Trade Centre, is free and shows the duty any country charges on a six-digit code, including the standard (MFN) rate and any preferential rate for Indian goods. Search by product code, choose India as the exporter and your target as the importer.
Check for a trade agreement
If India has a trade agreement with the destination, your buyer may pay lower or zero duty, but only if the goods meet that agreement's rules of origin and you provide a certificate of origin. Certificates are applied for on the government's Trade Connect platform. Agreements it covers include:
- India–UAE CEPA
- India–Australia ECTA
- India–Japan CEPA
- India–Korea CEPA
- ASEAN–India FTA
- India–Singapore CECA
- India–Malaysia CECA
- India–Oman CEPA
- India–EFTA TEPA
- India–UK CETA
- SAFTA
A lower duty is a genuine selling point. Mention it to buyers in agreement countries, once you've confirmed your product qualifies.
Check the other import rules
Duty is only part of it. Market Access Map also lists non-tariff measures such as standards, testing, labelling and licences for each product and country. These often matter more than duty, and they decide which certificates your buyers will ask for.
Next, use the code to see who imports your product: our guide to choosing an export market shows how.
Questions
Can I choose the HS code that gives the lowest duty?
No. Classification follows the product's description and the official rules, not the duty. A wrong code can mean held shipments, penalties and lost trade-agreement benefits. When in doubt, ask a licensed customs broker.
Why does my code differ between India and the buyer's country?
The first six digits are shared internationally. Each country adds its own digits after that, so the eight- or ten-digit code differs. Check that the first six digits match.
Who pays the import duty?
Usually the importer, unless you've agreed to deliver duty paid (DDP). Buyers still care about it, because duty adds to their landed cost and affects whether your price competes.