HS/HTS code and import duties
also: HTS code · HS code · tariff classification · customs duties · de minimis
The tariff classification number that identifies a product at customs and sets its import duty rate; the first six digits are harmonized internationally.
Every imported product is classified under the Harmonized System (HS), maintained by the World Customs Organization; the first six digits are shared worldwide. Countries extend it: the US uses the 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), published by the US International Trade Commission. The classification sets the duty rate, any additional tariffs and sometimes other import requirements.
Classifying multifunction hardware can be genuinely debatable: is it a sensor, a controller, a radio, or a part of a larger machine? The importer is responsible for getting it right, and a binding ruling from customs can provide certainty.
US duties and additional tariffs changed frequently in 2025 and 2026, including the suspension of the de minimis exemption that previously let low-value shipments enter duty-free. Check the current rules before pricing a product.
Founder takeaway
Get a classification and current duty rate for your product (and key imported parts) from a licensed customs broker before setting prices, and recheck when trade rules change.
sources
engineer review pending