Commodity codes, often referred to as Harmonised System (HS) codes, are standardised numerical identifiers used to classify various goods in international trade. These codes play a crucial role in systematically categorising products, facilitating efficient tracking, and enabling proper customs and taxation procedures.

These codes are applied worldwide to ensure that there is a universal way for customs in each country to understand what you are sending by the code alone.

Commodity Codes consist of a minimum of 6 digits but can also be 10 digits depending on the product and the country you are sending to.

Every tariff code consists of a structured arrangement of chapters, headings, and subheadings, and as you delve deeper into this arrangement, the length of the tariff code increases.

The first 6 digits are normally the same worldwide however the remaining 4 digits often gives a more detailed picture of the code and how it is classified in each country.

At a minimum you must now provide a 6 digit commodity code.

There are many tools online to help find the specific codes however the official UK code finder can be found here and the official EU tool here.