HS codes and import duties from China, explained
Every product you import has a code. That code — the HS code — decides how much duty you pay and which rules apply at the border. Get it right and clearance is boring. Get it wrong and you're either overpaying or stuck explaining yourself to customs.
What an HS code actually is
HS stands for Harmonized System, a global standard for classifying goods. The first six digits are the same worldwide; countries add a few more for their own tariff detail. So a code starting 8471 is "computers" everywhere, but your country tacks on extra digits for the exact type and its duty rate.
Why the right code matters
- It sets your duty rate. The same product under two plausible codes can carry very different rates.
- It controls compliance. Some codes trigger certificates, labels, or inspections (electronics and food are common ones).
- It affects clearance speed. A mismatch between your code and what's in the box gets your shipment flagged.
A single wrong digit can mean paying more than you should — or a hold while customs reclassifies the goods.
How to find your code
1. Describe the product plainly: what it is, what it's made of, what it does.
2. Search an official tariff database for that description.
3. Read the heading notes — they often exclude things you'd assume belong there.
4. When in doubt, ask a customs broker or use a classification tool. Our platform's customs tools can suggest a likely HS code and show the estimated duty for your lane before you ship.
Duties: what you'll actually pay
Your landed cost is more than the goods price plus freight. Budget for:
- Import duty — a percentage of the customs value, set by the HS code.
- VAT or sales tax — charged on most imports in most countries.
- Customs and handling fees — small but real.
Rates vary by destination. China to the EU, China to Turkey, and China to the US each run on different tariff schedules, so the same product can cost different amounts to land depending on where it's headed. You can check typical lane details on our China freight pages and price the freight portion in the estimator.
A simple habit that saves money
Lock the HS code before you place the order, not after the goods arrive. Knowing your duty rate up front lets you price the product properly and avoid the nasty surprise of a landed cost that wipes out your margin.