Harmonized Systems

The World Customs Organization (WCO) ensures harmony in the movement of goods.

The Harmonized System serves as the basis for customs tariffs and for the compilation of international trade statistics. The current version includes 351 amendment sheets and represents a wide range of goods that move across borders. All goods listed in the nomenclature are categorized according to certain characteristics and divided into different chapters, resulting in the first six digits of the customs tariff number, which is later used for the customs declaration. The so-called Harmonized System Code is used for the uniform classification of internationally traded goods.

The new edition contains some important changes to the Harmonized System, with special consideration given to new product groups. One area of importance for future customs declarations is the classification of multifunctional modules. Due to current events, health and safety features, e.g. for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases, are also included in the changes. The following product groups will also be included in the Harmonized System nomenclature in 2022:

• Waste electrical and electronic equipment, commonly referred to as e-waste
• novel tobacco and nicotine products
• unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as drones
• Smartphones also receive their own subheading