Classify any product with confidence
Simply describe your product and get an HTS code recommendation in seconds. Plus, we show our thinking to back it up.
Takes about a minute to set up
Why correct classification matters
Every product imported into the United States must be classified under a 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code before customs will release it. That single code determines the base duty rate, whether Section 232, Section 301, or IEEPA tariffs stack on top, and which regulations and agencies apply — from the FDA for food and cosmetics to the FCC for electronics and the DOT for automotive parts.
Getting the code wrong is expensive. Under-classification triggers CBP penalties that can reach 40% of the declared value plus interest, and repeated violations can flag your account for intensive audits. Over-classification means you overpay duties on every shipment. For B2B importers running bulk orders from Alibaba, Amazon FBA restocks, or wholesale distribution, a 2% duty-rate error on a $50,000 shipment is $1,000 down the drain — multiplied across dozens of containers a year, that adds up fast.
Classification also sits at the heart of landed-cost planning. The HTS code drives the calculator on this site: enter it with your shipment value, origin country, and entry date, and we'll break down every fee — MPF, HMF, Section-specific tariffs, and any trade-program exclusions you might qualify for.
AI-assisted classification vs. manual lookup
Traditional classification means flipping through the 99 chapters of the HTS, comparing your product against hundreds of subheadings, and guessing which description fits best. Our AI tool does that in seconds and shows you exactly which subheadings it considered — so you can audit the recommendation instead of taking a blind guess.
| Dimension | Manual HTS lookup | AI classification |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 20–60 min per product (flipping through the HTS manual + checking applicable Sections) | Candidate list in seconds, with the AI’s reasoning shown |
| Traceability | Relies on personal experience — hard to explain why a code was chosen | Top 3 candidates + matched HTS descriptions, each one auditable |
| Section stacking | Easy to miss 301/232/IEEPA when only checking the MFN rate | Automatically stacks every applicable Section tariff by origin + HTS |
| Consistency | Different people may pick different subheadings | Same description returns the same result every time |
| Learning curve | Requires knowing HTS structure + dozens of Section rules | Just type an English description — no classification knowledge needed |
Common classification pitfalls
Material vs. use. Chapter 39 covers plastics by composition, but a plastic toy lands in Chapter 95 based on its end use — and Chapter 95 has a 6.5% general duty plus potential Section 301 surcharges, while Chapter 39 plastics can be duty-free under GSP. Always classify by the primary use, not the material.
Set vs. individual items. A kitchen knife set with steel blades and wooden handles ships as a set under HTS 8211.91.40 (general rate 0%, but Section 232 steel tariffs apply to the blades), whereas the same knives imported individually would classify under different subheadings. The "chief use" and "assembly rule" determine whether a bundle ships as one classification or many.
Origin matters for Section tariffs. An HTS code tells you the general (MFN) rate, but it does not tell you whether Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, Section 232 tariffs on steel/aluminum, or IEEPA reciprocal tariffs apply — those depend entirely on where the product ships from. Our calculator layers all three programs together so you see the true total.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to classify your next shipment?
Head to the simulator and enter a product description like "wireless Bluetooth headphones" or paste a 10-digit HTS code. We'll show you the duty breakdown and every tariff program that applies.
Open the simulator