What is a Commodity Code?

A commodity code is a six-, eight-, or ten-digit number used to classify goods for customs and trade, both within the European Union and in trade with non-EU countries. The code determines how a product is treated when it crosses a border.

What a commodity code determines

• the customs duties and other charges levied on the goods
• any preferential treatment that may apply to imports
• restrictions or prohibitions on import, export or transit

Commodity code lengths

The six-digit level is the international HS code, used worldwide to track trade and apply trade measures. Eight-digit codes are used for export and Intrastat declarations (statistics on intra-EU trade). Ten-digit codes are the TARIC numbers required for import declarations from outside the EU.