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Product Classification
 A
relatively small number of products exported from the
United States require an export license from either the
U.S. Department of Commerce or another U.S. agency like
the State Department. Before you can determine whether
or not your product requires an export license, you must
first investigate whether or not your product has an Export
Control Classification Number (ECCN).
In addition, before you can export or import a product,
you must first identify your product’s proper Schedule
B (for exports) or Harmonized
Schedule (HS) (for
imports) number. This number must appear on both export
and import documentation that accompanies a shipment.
The Online Product Classification Tool provides several
search methods that make the product classification process
faster and easier than the traditional method of pouring
through volumes of printed books and regulations. And
because this information is stored online on our secure
web server, you can be sure that you are accessing the
most current information available.
Export
Control Classification Number
Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
To help determine whether or not your product requires
an export license, you must first determine its correct
ECCN code. (Since ECCN is an acronym for the U.S.-specific
export control number, we use the abbreviation “ECN” to
include classification numbers for exports from other
countries.)
The Online Product Classification Tool allows you to
search for the correct ECN number for your product by
entering either the first part of the ECN number or a
text description of your product. This is how most subscribers
use this service.
Export
Control Classification Number - Step 1
For example, you can search for the proper
ECCN code for your product by typing in the search term “machine
tool laser.”
Export
Control Classification Number - Step 2
The double red arrows indicate that the term “machine
tool laser” is found in Category 2. Clicking on
the + symbol before the category allows you to drill
down to find your complete ECCN code.
Export
Control Classification Number - Step 3
For determining an ECN code for most European countries,
you also have the option of searching by Harmonized System
(HS) number. Or you can display the entire first level
of the ECN codes and drilling down based on the description,
much like you would with the printed Export Administration
Regulations.
Now that you have identified the correct ECN code for
your product, you can use that number to determine if
there are any export controls based on your product
and destination country.
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Information
Schedule B Classification
Schedule B Classification
Before you can export a product from the United States,
you must first determine its correct 10-digit Schedule
B Classification Code. These codes are valid for only
U.S. exports and are maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Online Product Classification Tool allows you to
search for a specific Schedule B number either based
on a partial code of at least the first two digits or
by entering a text description of the product.
Schedule B Classification - Example
For example, you can enter the search term “laser” to
find a list of Schedule B codes that include “laser” in
the description.
Schedule B Classification - Results
The resulting list includes all Schedule B codes that
include the word “laser” and allows you to
select the code that best matches your specific product.
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Harmonized Schedule (HS) Classification
Harmonized Schedule (HS) Classification
The World Trade Organization has classified all commodities
with a number. This number is called a Harmonized Schedule
code and ranges from six to 12 digits, depending on the
country. However, the first six digits of this number
are more or less uniform throughout the world.
Customs uses the HS number to determine the import duties,
taxes and import license requirements for goods entering
a country. This number is required for filling in the
Customs documentation.
The Online Product Classification Tool allows you to
search for the proper HS Number for your products in
several ways:
- HS Number Search allows you to enter a partial HS
number.
- Legal Tariff Search allows you to enter one or more
words that match the exact legal description assigned
to each HS Number.
- Common Tariff Search allows you to enter one or more
words that match all the exact legal descriptions and
common synonyms assigned to each HS Number. This is
the most useful search method if you’re not sure
what the exact legal description of the product.
- HS Tree displays all the chapter headings and allows
you to drill down to specific numbers by reviewing
the descriptions of each chapter, heading and ultimate
tariff number.
Along with displaying HS numbers, the HS Classification
Tool displays the default duty rate if there is one.
Harmonized
Schedule (HS) Classification Tool
To use the Common Tariff Search, enter a search term
such as “crude oil.”
Harmonized
Schedule (HS) Classification Tool Results
The search tool will display all potential HS headings
and descriptions that contain the words you entered and
all their synonyms. Click on the appropriate heading,
in this case “15,” to search further.
Harmonized
Schedule (HS) Classification Tool Results
The resulting screen not only displays potential HS
number with 10 digits, it provides the official product
description and the default duty rate for that particular
HS code. For complete information about your particular
HS code, simply click on the number.
Harmonized
Schedule (HS) Classification Tool Final Results
The final results screen displays the complete HS number,
the official description, the default duty rate, and
the correct unit of measure.
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