{"id":13093,"date":"2025-09-26T12:29:30","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T05:29:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/?p=13093"},"modified":"2025-09-26T17:08:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T10:08:06","slug":"hts-code-for-usa-shipping-sending","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/hts-code-for-usa-shipping-sending\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an HTS Code? Understanding shipping to the USA."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hello. Having worked in international parcel shipping for over 10 years, I've noticed that the recent changes to US customs regulations have had the biggest impact on senders since I started working in this field. Today, I'll explain... HTS Code<\/strong> Let me explain it in simple terms so that...To USA<\/a>Your experience went more smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an HTS Code?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

HTS Code<\/strong> Abbreviation for Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code<\/strong> It's a 10-digit code that the United States uses to categorize goods entering the country, much like a product's identification card. Every item you send to America, whether it's clothing, cosmetics, souvenirs, or even Thai sweets, is subject to this code. All HTS codes must be included.<\/strong> This lets American customs officials know what your goods are and how much tax you have to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do I need to enter an HTS code?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Mandatory law<\/strong> \u2013 You absolutely have to include this; the package will be held up at customs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Calculate tax<\/strong> \u2013 To enable customs to calculate import taxes correctly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Inspect the goods.<\/strong> \u2013 It helps officials know what they need to check.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    10-digit HTS Code structure<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Let's look at an example. Home decorations<\/strong> (For example, bamboo lamps or wicker baskets) You can see that the codes are separated into layers like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: Home decor made from bamboo.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Code: 9403.89.6010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    level<\/strong><\/td>main<\/strong><\/td>code<\/strong><\/td>meaning<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Chapter<\/strong><\/td>2 digits<\/td>94<\/strong><\/td>Furniture category: Beds, mattresses, lamps.<\/td><\/tr>
    Heading<\/strong><\/td>4 digits<\/td>9403<\/strong><\/td>Other furniture and parts.<\/td><\/tr>
    HS Code<\/strong><\/td>6 digits<\/td>9403.89<\/strong><\/td>Furniture made from materials other than metal\/wood\/plastic.<\/td><\/tr>
    Subheading<\/strong><\/td>8 digits<\/td>9403.89.60<\/strong><\/td>Furniture made from rattan, bamboo, or similar materials.<\/td><\/tr>
    Statistical<\/strong><\/td>10 digits<\/td>9403.89.6010<\/strong><\/td>Home decor items made especially from bamboo.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    To put it simply like this:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • First 2 digits (94)<\/strong> = It's in the furniture category.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 4 digits (9403)<\/strong> = It's another type of furniture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 6 digits (9403.89)<\/strong> Made from special materials (not ordinary metal, wood, or plastic).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 8 digits (9403.89.60)<\/strong> Indicate that it is made of bamboo or rattan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 10 digits (9403.89.6010)<\/strong> Specifically, it is described as "home decor" made from bamboo.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      First 6 digits<\/strong> All countries use the same one, but...Principles 7-10<\/strong> It's unique to America, in order to categorize things more precisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Examples of typical product descriptions and HTS codes.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Cotton t-shirt<\/strong>: 6109.10.0040<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • leather bag<\/strong>: 4202.22.8020<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Dried Thai desserts<\/strong>: 1905.90.9040<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Cosmetics (cream)<\/strong>: 3304.99.0000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Tips for finding the correct HTS code.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Describe the product in detail.<\/strong> \u2013 What material is it made of? And what is it used for?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Use the U.S. Customs website.<\/strong> (usitc.gov) Free search available.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Inquire with the shipping company.<\/strong> \u2013 We have the experience to help advise you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Beware of misidentification.<\/strong> \u2013 This may result in additional taxes or confiscation of the package.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Caution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • Do not enter the wrong code.<\/strong> To avoid paying taxes, as it could lead to problems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Prohibited items<\/strong> Certain items, such as fresh food and meat, are strictly prohibited from being shipped.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Product price<\/strong> It must be stated accurately.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            summarize<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            HTS codes sound complicated, but once you understand them, they're not difficult. The important thing is...Please provide accurate and complete product information.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            If you're unsure, always feel free to ask the SME Shipping team. Entering the wrong code may result in your package being held up at customs or incurring additional charges. Contact SME Shipping at 02-105-7777 or Line @Shipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            We hope your parcel delivery goes smoothly! <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Hello. Having worked in international parcel shipping for over 10 years, I've noticed that the recent changes to US customs regulations have had the biggest impact on senders. Today, I'll explain HTS Codes in simple terms to help you ship to the US more smoothly. What is an HTS Code? HTS stands for Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code. It's a 10-digit number used by the US to categorize goods entering the country, like a product's identification card. Every item you send to the US, whether clothing, cosmetics, souvenirs, or even Thai snacks, must have an HTS Code so that US customs knows what your product is and how much tax you need to pay. Why do you need an HTS Code? Let's look at an example of a 10-digit HTS Code for home furnishings (such as bamboo lamps or wicker baskets). You'll see the code is separated into layers like this:\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":13099,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13093"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13093\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13097,"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13093\/revisions\/13097"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13099"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smeshipping.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}