# What Is an HS Code and How Do You Find It? A Customs Duty Guide

> The structure of HS and national tariff codes, the difference between 6 and 12 digits, steps to find the right code and the duty and penalty risks of misclassification.

- URL: https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/customs/what-is-an-hs-code
- Language: en
- Updated: 2026-10-03
- Publisher: FCRSOFT (https://fcrsoft.com)

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# What Is an HS Code and How Is It Found?

Every product is classified in customs under a Harmonized System code. Duty rates, import restrictions, rules of origin and statistics depend on it; a wrong code means wrong duty and penalties.
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## Code structure

- 2 digits: chapter (e.g. 03 — fish)

- 4 digits: heading (e.g. 0302 — fresh fish)

- 6 digits: subheading; the same worldwide (e.g. 0302.89)

- Further digits are national: 8-digit CN in the EU, 12-digit GTİP in Türkiye, 10-digit HTS in the US.

[Free tool HS to National Code](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/customs/hs-to-gtip)

## Steps to find the right code

- Describe the product by material, degree of processing and intended use.

- Find the relevant chapter and heading and read the chapter and section notes.

- Apply the General Interpretative Rules in order.

- If unsure, request a binding tariff information (BTI) ruling.

[Free tool HS Code Lookup](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/customs/hs-code-lookup) **Calculate Customs Duties Automatically in Every File**HS codes and tax rates are stored in FCRSOFT; customs value, duty, VAT and clearance cost are calculated automatically for every import file.
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## How does the code affect duty?

Two candidate codes for the same product can carry very different duty rates; fresh fish and prepared fish products, for example, are in different chapters. In most countries the duty base is the CIF value.
[Free tool HS Code Comparison](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/customs/hs-code-comparison)

## Duty calculation

Customs duty = Customs value × Rate; VAT = (Customs value + Duties) × VAT rate
[Free tool HS Code Tax Calculator](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/customs/hs-code-tax-calculator) FCRSOFT

## FCRSOFT does this for you automatically

You don’t need to do the calculations and checks on this page by hand every day. FCRSOFT derives them all automatically from the records entered in the field.

- HS codes and tax rates are stored on product cards.

- Duties and VAT are calculated automatically in every import file.

- Customs declarations and charges are linked to the file.

[Open the live demo](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/login.php?package=trade) [Explore the Trade & Customs package](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/demo/trade?hl=en)

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## Frequently asked questions

Is GTİP the same as the HS code?
The first 6 digits are identical. GTİP adds 6 Türkiye-specific digits to the HS code to make 12.

What happens if I use the wrong code?
Underpaid duty is collected with interest and administrative fines may apply; if import restrictions were bypassed, the goods may be held.

Last updated: 10/3/2026

## Related tools and guides

[Free tool ### HS Code Lookup Search Harmonized System chapters and headings by product name or part of a code; see the 6-digit HS code and the national code structure. Open the tool](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/customs/hs-code-lookup) [Free tool ### HS to National Code Convert a 6-digit HS code into the 12-digit Turkish national structure (chapter, heading, subheading, national split) and format it. Open the tool](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/customs/hs-to-gtip) [Free tool ### HS Code Tax Calculator Calculate all taxes payable with the code’s customs duty, additional duty, anti-dumping, excise and VAT rates. Open the tool](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/customs/hs-code-tax-calculator) [Free tool ### Customs Duty Calculator Calculate the customs duty payable from customs value, ad valorem duty, additional duty and specific duty per kg. Open the tool](https://demo.fcrsoft.com/en/trade/customs-duty-calculator)