Harmonized Codes are internationally recognized codes to classify an item for tax purposes. Harmonized Codes (also referred to as Tariff Codes, TARIC, Customs Tariffs, Harmonized Tariff Codes, and Harmonized System Codes) expedite the shipping process for international orders. Once an order reaches an international border, a country's customs office uses these codes to identify the goods and then assess taxes, duties, and fees for what you are shipping.
Most destination countries use the Harmonized Code system, while a few countries require the description instead. It is best practice to include both the Harmonized Code and a detailed description when shipping internationally. While it is not always required, using Harmonized Codes for your international shipments will:
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Help your packages move through customs more quickly
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Help to ensure correct taxation on your exported products
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Help to minimize the chances of loss of your products
Harmonized Code Requirement for Shipping to the EU
All shipments from non-EU countries destined for and passing through most countries in the EU require HS (Harmonized System) codes included on customs forms along with a more detailed description of the package contents.
This means that descriptions such as "Clothes" will not be accepted. Instead, a more detailed description such as "Men's Cotton Shirt" or "Women's Leather Shoes" will be required.
Learn more about HS code requirements from the following resources:
Look up HS codes for your products using the following resources:
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GlobalPost HS Classification Tool (may limit the number of codes you can look up in a 24-hour period)
When shipping international orders in Stamps.com:
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Enter the Harmonized Tariff Code into the HS Tariff field of the Customs Information screen for each product on the order.
When managing Products in Stamps.com you can add a product's Harmonized code to the HS Tariff field in the Custom Override section of the product record.
The HS Tariff code will be used to create customs declarations for international shipments that include this product.