Guide
"Which HS code is right for my product?" is the most common question traders ask. It is also one of the most expensive to get wrong.
Last checked: November 2026
Please note: Rules, duty rates and procedures change. Check the position in force on the date of your shipment. We are consultants, not a law firm.
The short answer
- The first six digits of the HS code are the same worldwide. India uses an 8-digit ITC-HS code, and the duty follows that code.
- Read the chapter notes as well as the heading. Many products are decided by the notes.
- Describe the goods by what they are, what they are made of and how they are used.
- If two headings are possible, think about an Advance Ruling before the first shipment.
What a wrong code can cost
- Duty calculated at the wrong rate.
- A Customs query and a held shipment.
- A demand for differential duty and penalty after clearance.
How to choose the code
- Describe the goods in plain words: material, form, function and use.
- Find the chapter and read its notes, including what the chapter excludes.
- Pick the heading that describes the goods most specifically.
- Go to the 8-digit level and check the duty and any policy conditions.
- Check earlier treatment of the same goods by Customs.
- Keep a note of why you chose the code, with the catalogue or specification.
When to ask for an Advance Ruling
If two headings could apply and the duty difference is large, an Advance Ruling from the Customs Authority for Advance Rulings can settle the question before you ship. It takes time and a fee, so it suits regular or high-value imports. A ruling applies to the applicant and the goods described in it.
Use our free tool
Our HS Code Finder lets you search the Indian Customs Tariff by chapter, with the chapter notes.
Common questions
What is the difference between an HS code and an ITC-HS code?
The HS code is the international system, and its first six digits are the same in most countries. India adds two more digits for its own Customs Tariff and trade policy, which gives the 8-digit ITC-HS code that you use on Indian import and export documents.
Can I change the HS code after clearance?
Sometimes. A Bill of Entry can be amended or reassessed within the limits the law allows, and a later change may mean paying differential duty or going through an appeal. If you think your code is wrong, ask us before you act.
When should I apply for an Advance Ruling?
Consider it when two headings could apply, the duty difference is large, and you will import the goods regularly. Apply before the first shipment. A ruling applies to the applicant and the goods described in it.
Related on this site
- HS Code Finder (free tool)
- How to classify goods: the 8-digit ITC-HS code explained
- Customs Advance Ruling on classification
- Landed cost and Incoterms: what an import really costs
- Shipment Readiness Check
Talk to us
Send us two lines on WhatsApp: the goods, the port or country, and what you need. We tell you what we need from you and our fee, in writing, before any work starts. We reply within one working day (Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM IST).
Multimodal Logistic Systems Pvt. Ltd., Pune, India. Written by Shankar Jha, Customs and EXIM consultant with 27+ years of experience. Rules and notifications change; we check those in force on the date of your query.