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What is HS Code?

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan

HS Code
The Harmonized System (HS Code) is a commodity classification system. HS code was introduced by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to harmonize international trade by creating a coding system that is globally acceptable. The HS code is used as a basis for customs tariffs and for the collection of international trade statistics.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan

Country specific product codes consist of at least 8 digits, of which the first 6 digits will be the same for a given product produced anywhere in the world. For example; the HS code for Basmati rice is

1006.3010

The first two digits signify the chapter to which the product belongs. Here rice comes under chapter 10, which is Cereals.

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The next two digits denote the heading in the chapter associated with the product. In our example, 10.06 refers to the heading Rice. So if you are exporting rice, your HS code would start with 10.06.
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This is how it would appear in the HS Code list that will be provided to you

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The two red digits in our Basmati rice HS code example denote the product subcategory. So the product subcategory under which Basmati rice falls is; Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed.

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The final 2 digits shown here in green are country specific and are assigned by individual countries. Custom duties are assigned on eight digit codes, so without these last two digits determining the custom duty applicable on your products would not be possible!

Hence the HS code for Basmati rice is 10.06.3010


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Now we know that the customs duty applicable on Basmati rice in Pakistan is 10%

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The products which are not further categorized have 0000 added to the 4 digit code to complete the 8 digits requirement. For example Rye, Barley and Oats have no further subcategories.

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Thank you
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