Schedule B numbers & harmonized tariff schedule numbers

Technically called Schedule B: Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United States, a Schedule B number is a 10 digit classification number that answers the question: What am I exporting?

The classifications are organized into chapters from 01 to 98. Schedule B Classification Numbers will start with the appropriate chapter number, and then become more specific as you look at headings and subheadings.

You can browse through the various chapters here.

Or you can use this handy new search feature here.

Each commodity requires its own reportable quantity/ies. For example, if you are shipping some form of fabric, you might be required to report the square meters of the fabric you are shipping. If you are shipping a metallic ore, you might be required to provide the actual ore content, in kilograms.

To determine the reportable quantity, first, determine the appropriate Schedule B Classification number, then look at the third column from the left called "Unit of Quantity." If you are unsure what the abbreviation is asking for, cross-reference using this page here.

Word of Caution: "No." does not mean no unit of quantity required. "No." means number (like the number of units you are shipping). If no reportable quantity is required, this will be indicated by an "X" in the third column from the left.

For statistical purposes, the U.S. Census Bureau (part of the Department of Commerce)  uses Schedule B Classification to collect information regarding exports from the U.S. The U.S. Census Bureau updates the classifications every year so you will want to confirm your numbers at least once per year to be sure that a number you have used in the past did not become obsolete.

In absence of license requirements for export (such as shipping to a restricted country, person, or restricted commodities), the Schedule B number is only necessary if the commercial value of any one commodity exceeds USD 2500.00.

What is a Harmonized Number?

If Schedule B Classification numbers are what the U.S. Census Bureau uses for exports, Harmonized Classification numbers are what every other country in the world uses for exports, and for imports into the USA.

Called Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), you will also see this referred to as "HS" (Harmonized Schedule), "HS #" (Harmonized Schedule Number), and sometimes even "HS Classification." The tariff schedule is published by The U.S. International Trade Commission. They are harmonized in that this is a global system of nomenclature: the first six to eight numbers will be the same in nearly every country in the world.

You can browse the Harmonized Tariff Schedule by chapter here.

If you are already familiar with Schedule B numbers, you will be well versed in HTS numbers as they are very similar. Both classifications tend to require the same Quantities of Measure (fourth column from the left). Use this link here (scroll to page 9) to cross-reference abbreviations it looks unfamiliar.

Word of Caution: Many commodities have the same Schedule B number as HTS number; however, the slight variations between Schedule B are just enough to frustrate your import and export declarations, so watch out!

You can use the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to determine your applicable duty rate if you are importing into the USA. The last three columns of the classification listings fall under the category "Rates of Duty." You'll see one column, "1" further split into two columns called "General," one called "Special." The majority of US imports fall under these categories. "Special" duty rates are usually imports from countries with free-trade agreements or other preferential treatment, and the duty rates themselves are either free or deeply discounted. "General" duty rates are for everyone else, with the exclusion of Cuba and North Korea. Column 2 duty rates apply to Cuban and North Korean imports.