Classification
Systems
There are several major classification systems used
in international trade. The systems most affecting the trade of the
United States are HS, Schedule B and the NAICS.
The Harmonized System (HS) is the internationally
recognized system of trade classification, upon which nearly all tariff
and tax information is based and organized; this is used for U.S.
imports. The Schedule B numbers are used primarily for U.S. export
documentation. Both systems use the same classification to 6 digits.
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
codes are useful mainly for locating industry data and tracking macro
level trends.
USITC Code Listings offers code listings of HS,
SIC, NAICS, and export and import end use codes listings.
http://reportweb.usitc.gov/commodities/naicsicsitc.html
The Harmonized System (HS) – HS Codes
The World Customs Organization (WCO) developed the Harmonized Commodity
Description and Coding System, to describe products for customs
purposes. HS codes are descriptions of products specific to 2, 4, 6, 8,
or 10 digit levels. The Harmonized System is recognized in 179
countries, and trade based on its classifications represents 98 percent
of world trade.
Schedule B Commodity Codes – Schedule B numbers
Schedule B commodity codes are 10-digit numeric codes used to identify
products that are exported from the U.S. to other countries. They are
similar to 10-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) codes (the import
codes) in that the groups are the same up to the 6-digit level.
For more information on HS codes and Schedule B
code listings please refer to the following resources.
This Export America Article on Product
Classification article helps to answer basic questions about HS codes
and classification. It also provides resources for further assistance
and links to U.S. tariff schedules.
http://www.ita.doc.gov/exportamerica/Volume 2/April 2001/ta_asktic.htm
U.S. International Trade Commission – HS Codes
Information offers information about HS codes and tariff rate
information.
http://www.usitc.gov/tata/index.htm
The U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics is
a U.S. government search engine of U.S. Schedule B classification codes.
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/index.html
Tariff and Tax information
http://www.export.gov/logistics/country_tariff_info.asp
The North American Industry Classification
System – NAICS Codes
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was developed
jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to provide comparability in
statistics about business activity across North America by classifying
business establishments for the collection, analysis, and publication of
statistical data related to the business economy.
U.S. Census Bureau – NAICS website has links to a
searchable NAICS directory, as well as information about the NAICS.
http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html
Tariff Rate
Schedules
A tariff rate schedule is a comprehensive list or
"schedule" of merchandise with applicable duty rates (tariffs) to be
paid or charged for each listed article; together with governing rules
and regulations. Tariff rates vary by country, product, and trading
arrangement. Tariffs can change daily with new rulings issued in trade
cases and government regulations.
http://www.export.gov/logistics/country_tariff_info.asp
U.S. International Trade Commission, Tariff
Information Center, is a U.S. government website with a complete listing
of U.S. import tariffs and a description of tariffs and how they
function.
http://www.usitc.gov/tata/index.htm
Value Added Taxes
A value added tax is a levy (tax) imposed at each
level of manufacture and production of a good or service. The tax is
based on the rise in value, or price provided by each level of
production. Originally introduced in France (1954), it is now a major
part of the tax structure of most Western European nations.
In Europe there are generally two value added tax
rates, the standard rate (applicable to most products) and reduced rate
(applicable to certain products, generally basic necessities such as
food).
U.S. International Trade Administration, Taxes and
Tariff Database, sorts applicable tariff and value added tax rates by
country. Included also are links to the EU value added tax schedule
searchable by 8 digit HS code.
http://www.export.gov/exportbasics/ticredirect.asp |
