Managing your HS (Harmonized System) Codes
What is an HS code? The short answer is: a product code. The Harmonized System (HS) is a standardized international system used to classify globally traded products, managed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). All countries use HS classification to identify and regulate imports and exports and calculate duty fees and taxes.
Each product is classified with a universal commodity code of up to six digits. Individual countries can then add further digits to classify in more detail (for specific tariffs and regulations). FlavorCloud takes the six-digit HS code from your product listing in your online store, then determines the country-specific detail from the destination address of the order. The most common example of this is importing into the US needs a full 10-digit HS code for formal clearance.
FlavorCloud uses this HS code to calculate shipping rates and options for your orders.
How do HS Codes work?
The first two digits identify the category of the goods, known as the 'Chapter'. The next two digits, known as 'Heading', identify sub-groups. The next two digits, known as 'Subheading', are even more specific about identifying the object. For example, if you are looking at:
- Chapter HS-18 would mean cocoa and cocoa preparation
- Heading HS-1806 indicates chocolate and other foods containing cocoa
- Subheading: HS-180610 refers to Cocoa powder containing added sugar or other sweeteners.
Dynamically Classify your HS Codes
When shipping with FlavorCloud, FlavorCloud can automatically and dynamically classify your products for your customs information. If your products have no manual HS code information provided, FlavorCloud will automatically classify your products with 95%+ accuracy. If you have 6 digit codes, it will dynamically figure out the remaining digits by country. Therefore, if you have existing classification in place in your ecommerce platform then this information will be what is used as basis for classification.
Manually Update your HS Codes
To manually update HS codes in FlavorCloud, go to the App and select the product you would like to adjust. In the product details section you can manually update the HS code. See Managing your products for more information.
Update HS codes in Shopify
Adding the HS code is mandatory in Shopify for international orders. Shopify has instructions in their Help Center on Adding HS codes to products. FlavorCloud automatically ingest all product details and can classify automatically for you.
Classify Your Products with HS Look Up Tool
If you are unsure of how to classify a product that is not currently in the FlavorCloud system, you can use the HS Code Look Up Tool in the FlavorCloud Admin. This can be useful for when you need to check a HS Code with a different description or ingredients than is displayed on your ecommerce store or if you need to classify a product that has not shipped with FlavorCloud yet.
Steps:
- In your FlavorCloud Admin, go to Tools > Hs Code Look Up
- Enter your product Title, Description, Material and Catagory.
- Click Submit.
Your HS Code will automatically generate below.
Classify Your Products with HS Codes in Bulk
If you need to classify your products in bulk, connect to the FlavorCloud API to submit bulk requests for HS codes. The API reference has indepth instructions and examples on how to connect.