Products shipped internationally are classified under the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding system - generally called the “Harmonised System” (HS). More than 200 countries use the system for customs tariffs and collecting international trade statistics and duty revenue.
HS has around 5,000 commodity groups, each identified by a six-digit code arranged in a legal and logical structure. It is supported by well-defined rules to ensure uniform classification.
Are HS Codes required for each of the items in my exports?
HS Codes are required for most destinations in the world and are compulsory for all shipments into the EU.
We highly recommend adding them regardless of the destination you ship your goods to. They help with faster processing of shipments, and more accurate calculation of taxes and duties payable in the destination country.
An accurate Goods Description is also required, as this helps with the classification of items by carriers. Simply typing "Shoes" is not acceptable, you need to be more specific, eg. "Womens Running Shoes".
Where do I add HS codes to my items and orders in ReadyToShip?
Where possible ReadyToShip will import tariff codes when they are already stored against your Products in stores (Shopify is an example of this).
Otherwise, you can modify the SKU options in an international order by clicking on the "world" icon like this:
Once the HS Code and Goods Description have been entered for an item, ReadyToShip stores it and uses it the next time the item is imported.
HS Codes must be entered as numbers only, between 6 and 12 digits.
HS codes for export in Australia
Australia uses an eight-digit code to classify goods for export. The first six digits align with the international classification, and the last two digits are specific to Australian exports. The classifications are subject to change, so you need to keep up-to-date.
The Australian Harmonized Export Commodity Classification (AHECC) is usually updated every January and July, and classifications can be found on the ABS Website.
Warning: Failure to properly classify your product could lead to incorrect taxation on your exports and the potential loss of the product.
Customs and Border Protection provides a formal AHECC Advisory Service. This service has been developed specifically for clients who require assistance with the classification of goods for export. For more information, go to AHECC Classification.
How to Find HS Codes for your products
Using the correct HS Code is crucial. Help is available on Australian Government websites, and many businesses get professional help. We suggest you start here: