List of Commodities Code: Definition, Purpose & How To Search For

Key takeaways

• Commodity codes act as universal product identifiers used worldwide to classify goods in cross-border trade, helping customs authorities properly identify, regulate, and tax physical products.
• Incorrect commodity classification codes can cause serious consequences, including customs penalties, shipment delays, interest charges, and recovery of unpaid duties for several years.
• Businesses must use commodity codes whenever a product crosses an international border, such as importing stock, exporti ng goods, or sourcing from foreign vendors, to ensure compliance and accurate duty calculation.
• Importers, exporters, and customs agents are legally responsible for using the correct codes, while roles like accountants, small business owners, and sales teams benefit strategically from understanding them for cost planning and quoting.
• Companies can find commodity codes through government tariff databases like the WCO or trade intelligence platforms like yTrade, which offer granular HS data, shipment insights, and industry-specific classification support.

What is a commodity code?

When discussing what is a commodity code, think of it as a universal “ID number” for products being traded across borders. In global trade, every physical good, such as it’s machinery, apparel, chemicals, or electronics, must be assigned a standardized code so customs authorities can correctly identify, tax, and regulate that item. These codes are part of the broader commodity classification codes framework used worldwide.

A commodity code (sometimes called a tariff code) is a structured sequence of digits that helps customs systems define the type of product being imported or exported. The list of commodity codes typically follows the globally recognized Harmonized System (HS). The digits provide increasing levels of detail:

• 6-digit HS Code: Used worldwide for basic product classification.
• 8-digit Code: Adds more detail for export declarations within regions such as the EU and for Intrastat reporting.
• 10-digit Code: Used for highly specific classification on imports, often required for customs tariff databases like TARIC.

Classification and commodities codes. Source: ResearchGate

The purpose to define commodity code

Ultimately, the main purpose of commodity classification codes is to create a unified system for identifying goods in international trade. Wrong use of commodity code can lead customs authorities to:

• Recover unpaid duties for four to six years (and up to 20 years if they suspect deliberate misclassification)
• Apply penalties and interest
• Delay or detain shipments at the border

Hence, when organizations define commodity code values correctly, they ensure smoother border clearance, cost control, and regulatory compliance.

1. For customs and trade operations

• Duty and tax calculation: Commodity codes determine the correct rates of customs duty, import taxes, and VAT for cross-border shipments. Without accurate classification, charges can be miscalculated—leading to financial penalties or refund claims.
• Regulation and compliance enforcement: Customs use these codes to control product movement, identify restricted goods, and verify whether importers must obtain licenses, meet safety standards, or comply with sanctions.
• Accurate cargo documentation: Declaring the right code on customs entries and commercial invoices is a legal requirement. Errors may cause shipment delays, inspections, seizure, or fines.
• Global trade consistency: Because governments rely on a harmonized system, commodity codes ensure that goods are classified consistently across countries, enabling fair trade, rules of origin checks, quota application, and monitoring of sensitive sectors.

Commodities code structure breakdown. Source: Shippo-LCL Shipping

2. For procurement and spend management

• Structured purchasing: Commodity codes help organizations group goods and services into standardized categories, providing clarity on what the business is buying and from which supplier.
• Spend analysis: Procurement teams use these codes to track cost trends, identify savings opportunities, and allocate budgets more effectively.
• Supplier oversight: With clear categorization, buyers can evaluate supplier performance, ensure product suitability, and maintain strategic sourcing relationships.

How do you know if your business needs commodity codes?

To determine whether your business needs commodity classification codes, follow one clear rule: if a product crosses an international border, you must define commodity code values correctly on customs documentation.

Specifically, you’ll need a commodity code when you:

• Import goods into your country such as stock for resale, equipment, packaging materials, or spare parts.
• Export goods to customers overseas, where customs authorities require accurate codes to calculate duties and verify regulations.
• Source products from foreign vendors, even when purchases are made through marketplaces, your business is still accountable for proper classification, making searching for the list of commodity codes essential.

This requirement applies across multiple sectors, commonly for ecommerce retailers sourcing from overseas factories, construction companies importing heavy machinery, electronics distributors managing components from multiple regions, and consumer brands shipping products globally.

Not everyone involved in trade has the same legal responsibility when it comes to commodity classification codes. Some parties are required by law to use the correct codes, while others simply benefit from understanding how they work.

Who’s legally responsible for using commodity codes?

When it comes to using the correct commodities code, individuals or businesses that are legally required to apply the correct commodity classification codes when importing or exporting goods, ensuring accurate duty calculations and compliance with customs regulations.

• Importer of record: The importer of record is legally responsible for bringing goods into a country. They must use the correct commodity code to calculate customs duty, VAT, and check for any restrictions or licensing requirements. Misclassification can lead to delays, penalties, or overpayment.
• Exporter: Exporters are responsible for providing the correct commodity code when shipping goods out of the country. These codes are used on export declarations and help ensure the goods meet the regulatory requirements of the destination market.
• Customs agents or freight forwarders: When acting on behalf of a business, customs agents and freight forwarders are legally obligated to apply the correct commodity codes on customs documents. They ensure compliance to avoid delays or fines during clearance.

Nonetheless, there are individuals or businesses that are legally required to apply the correct commodity classification codes when importing or exporting goods, ensuring accurate duty calculations and compliance with customs regulations.

• Financial professionals (like accountants): By understanding commodity codes, accountants can more accurately forecast international trade costs, estimate duty liabilities, and advise on compliance risks.
• Small business owners (even those not yet trading internationally): Learning how commodity codes work can support early planning for global sourcing, cost comparisons, and market research in case the business expands into international trade later on.
• Marketing and sales teams: Product classification knowledge helps sales staff prepare more accurate quotes for overseas customers. They can include realistic estimates of tariffs or charges, making pricing more transparent and competitive.

Where to search for commodity codes

When searching for a list of commodities codes, there are two common methods most trade companies would do:

1. Official government websites

Start by checking the World Customs Organization (WCO) website. Since the WCO maintains the Harmonized System used globally, you can find correlation tables and foundational information that help you identify the correct list of commodities codes.

WCO HS Code search tool. Source: WCO - World Customs Organization

Next, go to your national customs authority’s online tariff database. Many countries offer searchable tools where you can enter product keywords to view suitable HS codes. For example:

• The UK’s Trade Tariff tool
• The USITC Commodity Description Lookup
• Canada’s Handbook of Export and Import Commodity Codes
• EU’s TARIC database

Beyond national tariff databases, businesses can also use yTrade’s HS Code Coverage to speed up classification.

Our search tool lets you look up HS codes by product name and review how those items are declared in real global shipments. This helps businesses validate the correct code quickly and reduce classification errors.

You can also refer to industry-specific lists when they exist. Certain government agencies publish narrower classifications, such as food and feed codes from the Food Standards Agency. These are useful when dealing with regulated product groups.

Make sure you search list of commodities codes using complete product details inside these tools (e.g., “uncooked stuffed pasta” instead of just “pasta”), because classification depends on product form, material, and use. Remember that the WCO updates the global Harmonized System every five years, most recently in 2022, so ensure the database you’re searching reflects the current version.

If you still cannot determine the correct code among the list of commodities codes, your customs authority may offer a Binding Tariff Information service, which provides an official classification for your item.

2. Global trade data center platforms

Instead of jumping between multiple databases, you can also use a trade intelligence platform like yTrade to search for the list of commodities codes.

yTrade covers all sections of the Harmonized System with granular insight up to the 6-digit level and beyond where available. This helps you confirm the correct classification while also discovering:

• Which countries import that product

• Buyer volumes and shipment data

• Verified trade partners and supply chain patterns

Verified buyers list on yTrade

yTrade also offers a list of commodities codes in diverse industries, specifically for:

• Manufacturing (sourcing and distribution)
• Retail & e-commerce (import compliance and tracking)
• Finance (counterparty risk checks)
• Consulting & legal (due diligence support)
• Government (trade flow monitoring and enforcement)
• Agriculture & commodities (market movement analysis)

Conclusion

As your business grows, relying on correct commodity codes becomes essential. They make sure your products are classified properly, duties are calculated accurately, and compliance checks don’t slow you down. When sourcing or selling overseas, the list of commodity codes helps you evaluate costs and regulations early, instead of reacting to surprise fees.

If you want a more efficient way to confirm codes and explore global shipment patterns, yTrade offers clear insights that support expansion without unnecessary risk. Explore us now!