Commodity Code Finder: Free UK HS Tariff Code Lookup
Short answer: a commodity code is the number customs uses to classify your goods. UK imports need a 10-digit code and exports an 8-digit one. The first 6 digits are the international HS code. Search below by product or by code to find yours, with its import duty and VAT rate, straight from the UK Trade Tariff.
This finder is for UK online sellers who import stock, ship to customers abroad, or fill in a customs declaration for the first time. It searches the official UK Trade Tariff live, so the codes and rates are the government’s own.
How to find a commodity code
Section titled “How to find a commodity code”- Describe what the product is, not what it’s called. “Candle”, “necklace of silver” or “cotton t-shirt” work. Brand names and style words (“boho”, “aesthetic”) don’t. If a two-word search finds nothing, the finder tries the main word on its own.
- Pick the closest result. Results show where each code sits in the tariff: chapter, then heading, then the detailed lines. If you land on a heading, press Show codes to see the 10-digit codes under it.
- Read the whole description. Material, use and how it’s made all matter. A mug is a different code in porcelain, stoneware or earthenware, and “hand-made” often has its own line.
- Open the official tariff page to read the chapter notes and the full list of measures for the country you’re trading with.
- Use 10 digits for imports and the first 8 for exports. The 9th and 10th digits can change the duty and measures on imports (gov.uk).
When you’ve found it, the import duty calculator works out the duty and import VAT for a real shipment from a specific country.
How commodity codes work
Section titled “How commodity codes work”Each pair of digits narrows the goods down. Here’s the code for cotton T-shirts:
| Digits | Level | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Chapter | 61 | Clothing, knitted or crocheted |
| 6109 | Heading | 6109 | T-shirts, singlets and other vests, knitted |
| 6109 10 | Subheading (HS code) | 6109 10 | Of cotton |
| 6109 10 00 | UK export code (8 digits) | 6109 10 00 | The code you use for exports |
| 6109 10 00 10 | UK import commodity code (10 digits) | 6109 10 00 10 | T-shirts of cotton, for import declarations |
The tariff runs from chapter 1 (live animals) to chapter 97 (works of art and antiques). The chapter is the first thing to get right: once you’re in the right one, the headings under it are usually easy to tell apart.
HS code, tariff code, commodity code: what’s the difference?
Section titled “HS code, tariff code, commodity code: what’s the difference?”People use these names loosely, which causes most of the confusion:
- HS code, HS tariff code, harmonised tariff code: the first 6 digits, from the World Customs Organization’s Harmonized System. Almost every country uses the same 6 digits, so it’s a good starting point, but it isn’t enough on its own for a UK declaration.
- Commodity code, tariff code: the full national code. In the UK, 8 digits for exports and 10 for imports. HMRC calls it the commodity code.
- HTS code, TARIC code: the US and EU versions of the full code. They share the first 6 digits with the UK but often differ after that.
If a supplier or a marketplace gives you an HS code, use it to search here, then pick the 10-digit UK line that fits.
Commodity codes for common products
Section titled “Commodity codes for common products”These are the codes the finder’s “Popular” shortcuts use, checked against the UK Trade Tariff on 28 October 2026. The duty is the third-country rate: what you pay importing from a country with no UK trade deal, such as China or the US. Goods from the EU and other trade-deal countries often pay 0% if they meet the rules of origin.
| Product | Commodity code | Import duty (third-country) | VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candles | 3406 00 00 00 | 0% | 20% |
| Silver jewellery | 7113 11 00 00 | 2% | 20% |
| Costume (imitation) jewellery, base metal | 7117 19 00 90 | 4% | 20% |
| Cotton T-shirts | 6109 10 00 10 | 12% | 20% (0% for children’s) |
| Make-up and skincare | 3304 99 00 00 | 0% | 20% |
| Soap bars | 3401 11 00 00 | 0% | 20% |
| Printed books | 4901 99 00 00 | 0% | 0% (zero-rated) |
| Stoneware mugs and tableware | 6912 00 23 10 | 4% | 20% |
| Hand-made ceramic ornaments (common pottery) | 6913 90 10 10 | 2% | 20% |
| Greeting cards | 4909 00 00 00 | 0% | 20% |
| Art prints and posters | 4911 91 00 90 | 0% | 20% (5% for some works of art) |
| Leather handbags | 4202 21 00 90 | 2% | 20% |
| Cotton socks | 6115 95 00 00 | 12% | 20% (0% for children’s) |
| Laptops | 8471 30 00 00 | 0% | 20% |
Small changes to a product can move it to another code. A candle holder isn’t a candle, a gold-plated silver ring is still “of silver”, and a hand-made earthenware mug is a different line from a stoneware one. Always check the description, not just the product name.
HS code for clothing
Section titled “HS code for clothing”Clothing splits first by how the fabric is made: chapter 61 for knitted or crocheted garments (T-shirts, jumpers, hoodies, socks, leggings) and chapter 62 for woven ones (shirts, jeans, most dresses and coats). Then the code depends on the garment, whether it’s for men or women, and the main fabric by weight.
Most clothing pays 12% duty from countries without a trade deal. Children’s clothing is usually zero-rated for VAT, which is why the finder shows “0% in some cases” next to the VAT rate on clothing codes. Worn clothing has its own heading (6309), which matters for Vinted and eBay resellers who import second-hand stock in bulk.
Commodity code for a laptop
Section titled “Commodity code for a laptop”A laptop is 8471 30 00 00: portable automatic data-processing machines weighing no more than 10 kg. Duty is 0% and import VAT is 20%. Laptop bags and cases (heading 4202) and chargers and power supplies have codes of their own, so search them separately if you sell accessories.
What the results show
Section titled “What the results show”Each declarable result shows:
- The commodity code. Ten digits for imports. Copy it into your customs declaration or courier’s paperwork.
- The hierarchy. Chapter, heading and the lines above the code, so you can see why it fits (or doesn’t).
- Import duty, third-country rate. The standard UK Global Tariff rate. Preferential rates under trade deals, quotas and trade remedies vary by country of origin, so they’re in the import duty calculator instead.
- VAT. Usually 20%. “0% in some cases” or “5% in some cases” means the code also has a zero or reduced VAT rate that applies to some goods under it, such as children’s clothing or printed books. The official tariff page explains the conditions.
- Official tariff page. The government’s page for that code, with every measure and footnote.
Worked examples
Section titled “Worked examples”Hollie sells hand-poured candles on Shopify from Bristol and wants to buy scented soy candles from a US maker to resell. She searches “scented candle”. Nothing matches that exact phrase, so the finder searches “candle” and lands on commodity code 3406 00 00 00, candles, tapers and the like. The duty is 0% and VAT 20%. On an order costing $800 with $120 shipping, converted at HMRC’s October 2026 rate of $1.3456 to £1, the customs value is £594.53 + £89.18 = £683.71. Duty is £0, and import VAT is 20% of £683.71 = £136.74.
Sam sells stoneware mugs on Etsy from Cardiff and is thinking of switching to a factory in China. Searching “mugs” gives several options. Sam’s mugs are stoneware tableware, so the code is 6912 00 23 10, with 4% third-country duty. But the import duty calculator shows China-specific measures the headline rate doesn’t: ceramic tableware from China carries a definitive anti-dumping duty, with a residual rate of 36.1% for manufacturers that don’t have their own rate. On a £1,000 customs value:
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Customs duty at 4% | £40.00 |
| Anti-dumping duty at 36.1% (residual rate) | £361.00 |
| Import VAT at 20% of £1,401.00 | £280.20 |
| Total import taxes | £681.20 |
That’s why it pays to check the measures for your origin country, not just the headline rate, before you commit to a supplier.
Checking commodity codes
Section titled “Checking commodity codes”Choosing the code is the importer’s job, even when a courier or customs agent fills in the declaration for you. If the code is wrong, you can pay the wrong duty and VAT. HMRC can recover any underpayment with interest, and you can reclaim an overpayment.
To check commodity codes before your first shipment:
- Read the chapter and section notes on the official tariff page. They often settle borderline cases.
- Compare with your supplier’s code, but don’t copy it blindly. Only the first 6 digits are shared internationally (gov.uk).
- Ask HMRC for a ruling if you’re still unsure. An Advance Tariff Ruling is a legally binding decision on your goods’ code. It generally lasts 3 years, and you need a GB EORI number to apply (gov.uk). See EORI numbers if you don’t have one yet.
Limitations
Section titled “Limitations”- Search is keyword-based. The UK Trade Tariff’s search matches words, not meaning. If you get nothing, try a simpler or more literal word.
- Headline rates only. Results show the third-country duty. Preferential rates, quotas, anti-dumping duties and import controls depend on the origin country. Use the import duty calculator or the official page for those.
- Great Britain tariff. Codes and rates are from the UK Global Tariff for Great Britain. Goods moving into Northern Ireland can fall under EU rates.
- Not a ruling. The finder helps you find the likely code. It can’t classify your product for you, and the result isn’t legally binding.
- Rates change. Data comes live from the tariff, so it’s current when you search. The table above was checked on 28 October 2026.
What is a commodity code?
Section titled “What is a commodity code?”A number that classifies goods for customs. In the UK, imports need a 10-digit commodity code and exports an 8-digit one. The code decides the customs duty and import VAT you pay, and whether any licences or restrictions apply. The first 6 digits are the international HS code, used by almost every country.
How do I find the commodity code for my product?
Section titled “How do I find the commodity code for my product?”Search the UK Trade Tariff by what the product is and what it’s made of, for example ‘cotton t-shirt’ or ‘silver necklace’. Then work down from the chapter to the heading to the 10-digit code that describes your goods most precisely. The finder on this page does the search and shows the duty and VAT for each result.
Is an HS code the same as a commodity code?
Section titled “Is an HS code the same as a commodity code?”Not quite. The HS code is the first 6 digits, set internationally by the World Customs Organization. A UK commodity code adds digits on the end: 8 for exports and 10 for imports. So the HS code for cotton T-shirts is 6109 10, and the UK import commodity code is 6109 10 00 10.
What is the HS code for clothing?
Section titled “What is the HS code for clothing?”Clothing is in chapter 61 if it’s knitted or crocheted (T-shirts, jumpers, socks) and chapter 62 if it’s woven (shirts, jeans, most dresses). The exact code then depends on the garment and its main fabric. Cotton T-shirts are 6109 10 00 10, and most clothing pays 12% duty from countries without a UK trade deal.
What is the commodity code for a laptop?
Section titled “What is the commodity code for a laptop?”Laptops are 8471 30 00 00, portable automatic data-processing machines weighing no more than 10 kg. The UK charges 0% customs duty on them and 20% import VAT. Laptop bags, cases and chargers have codes of their own.
What happens if I use the wrong commodity code?
Section titled “What happens if I use the wrong commodity code?”You may pay the wrong duty and VAT. If you underpay, HMRC can ask for the difference, plus interest and possibly a penalty. If you overpay, you can claim it back. If you’re unsure, you can ask HMRC for an Advance Tariff Ruling, a legally binding decision on your product’s code that generally lasts 3 years.
Are commodity codes the same in every country?
Section titled “Are commodity codes the same in every country?”Only the first 6 digits. Countries add their own digits after the HS code, so a 10-digit US HTS code or EU TARIC code won’t always match the UK commodity code. If a supplier gives you their code, check it against the UK tariff before you use it.
Related guides
Section titled “Related guides”- UK import duty calculator: duty and import VAT for a shipment from any country.
- Import VAT and postponed VAT accounting: how VAT-registered businesses handle VAT on imports.
- EORI numbers for online sellers: the customs number you need to import or export.
- Selling to US customers from the UK: duties, de minimis and US sales tax.
- Selling to EU customers: VAT and customs when you ship to the EU.
- UK VAT guide: the full picture for UK sellers.