0:00Every product that crosses a border has a code.
0:03It comes from the Harmonized System.
0:07The Harmonized System is an international product classification,
0:11maintained by the World Customs Organization and used,
0:16with local extensions, by virtually every customs authority.
0:21It organises all traded goods into chapters,
0:25which are broad categories, headings, and subheadings.
0:29Together they build up to a numeric code,
0:32usually six to ten digits.
0:35That code determines the duty rate,
0:37any permits you need, and how the product appears in trade statistics.
0:43General rules of interpretation decide which code applies when a product could
0:49fit more than one heading, such as one made of several materials,
0:54or with more than one function.
0:56They matter because two importers bringing in the same physical product can end up
1:01with different codes, and different duty bills, if one of them is wrong.
1:07Before you ship, get the code right.