hs_code_lookup
Search HS 2022 commodity codes by keyword, code prefix, or section to retrieve the 6-digit international customs classification and hierarchy context.
Instructions
Search 6,940 WCO Harmonized System (HS 2022) commodity codes — the 6-digit international customs classification layer. The first 2 digits are the chapter, 4 the heading, 6 the subheading.
Provide ONE of: query (free-text description search, min 2 chars), code (2-6 digit lookup, returns the code plus its hierarchy), or section (Roman numeral I-XXI to browse a section).
Behavior: read-only; description search is keyword-based against official HS descriptions, so everyday product words can return zero rows — count 0 with an empty results[] is a valid answer (e.g. "laptop" and "computers" find nothing; "automatic data" matches the official phrasing "automatic data processing machines"); prefer the formal tariff wording. Rate-limited (anonymous use: 25 requests/day per IP): a 429 error body carries retry_after_seconds and a Retry-After header — back off and retry, or call get_subscribe_link for higher limits.
Returns: the query/code echo, count and results[] (hscode, description and hierarchy context) under result, plus confidence, _source and citation (the FreightUtils v1 response envelope).
Limitations: the 6-digit international level only — national tariff lines (8-10 digits) and duty rates are set per country; classification here is indicative, not a binding ruling.
Related: uk_duty_calculator (duty/VAT for a code found here), ics2_check (EU ENS goods-description quality — a different check entirely).
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| code | No | Exact HS code or prefix — 2, 4 or 6 digits. Example: "8471". | |
| query | No | Keyword search on official HS descriptions (min 2 chars). Formal tariff wording works best. Example: "automatic data" rather than "laptop". | |
| section | No | Browse a section by Roman numeral I-XXI. Example: "XVI" (machinery). |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| ok | Yes | ||
| result | Yes | ||
| _source | Yes | ||
| citation | Yes | ||
| validity | No | ||
| warnings | No | ||
| confidence | Yes | ||
| blocking_errors | No | ||
| envelope_version | Yes | ||
| normalized_input | No |