All Products Have a Classification N

Learn How to Find You

August 8, 2012
Today’s Speakers

Host: Jennifer Smits 

Public Information Office 

Presenter: Mayumi Escalante 

Commodity Analysis Branch Foreign Trade Division 

The U.S. Census Bureau measures the nation

People, Places, and our Economy

www.census.gov 

#foreigntrade 
3 

Fundamentals of Export

Created by the Foreign Trade Division of th

Census Bureau, this in-depth webinar se

provides the tools necessary for a stro

foundation in the fundamentals of expor

All Products Have a Classification Numb

Learn How to Find Yours

The third webinar in the 8-part series 

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/news_conferences/webinars_e
Foreign Trade Division

The Foreign Trade Division is 

official source for U.S. export a

import statistics and is responsib

issuing regulations governing t

reporting of all export shipments 

the United States. 

4
Harmonized System-based Classif

Structure Example Governing Agency Frequency 

2‐digit Chapter 92 Infreq

4‐digit Heading 9201 World Customs Organization (WCO) About

6‐digit Subheading 9201.108‐digit Legal 9201.10.00 United States Trade Representative Var

10‐digit Statistical 9201.10.0005 484(f) Committee Annually (S

Semiannu
Schedule B & Harmonized Tariff Sch
www.census.gov/schedu
Schedule B Search
General Rule of Interpretat

1. The table of contents, index, and chapter titles 

guidance, but choose your 4-digit heading baseheading descriptions and section and/or chapte
General Rule of Interpretat

2. Applies to unfinished or disassembled 

goods, and mixtures and combinations:

A. Unfinished or disassembled goods 

are classified as the complete articles as long as they have the same essential character. 

B. Mixtures and combinations are 

classified based on the essential character unless the mixture is specifically referenced. 
General Rule of Interpretat

3. For goods that can be classified in two or more 

A. Choose the most specific/detailed headin

description. 

B. Choose the heading that best describes 

essential character. 

C. Choose the heading with the higher num

1003 Barley

Heading Description1001 Wheat and 1002 Rye
General Rule of Interpretat

4. Classify under the heading of the most similar 

(should be used infrequently)
General Rule of Interpretat

5. Containers: 

A. Specially fitted containe

as cases for cameras or instruments, are not claswhen they are shipped twith the goods. 

B. Disposable packing mat

and containers, such as wrap and cardboard boxnot classified when they used for packaging. 
General Rule of Interpretat

6. Choose your 6-digit subheading based on the 

descriptions and related notes.
Schedule B Search Exam
Classification Resource

World Customs Organization (WCO) 

 Explanatory Notes – http://www.wcoomd.org 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

 Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) –

http://rulings.cbp.gov/

 What Every Member of the Trade Community Shou

About: Tariff Classification – http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/legal/informed_c_pubs/ 

United States International Trade Commission (

 HTS Online Reference Tool – http://hts.usitc.gov/ 
Additional Training Too

 Export training videos Webinars  Global Reach Blog 

http://globalreach.blogs.census.gov 

17 
Questions?
For More Information

 Media Inquiries: 

 Public Information Office: 301-763-3030 

 FTD Call Center: 800-549-0595 

 Option 1 – AES Assistance  Option 2 – Commodity Classification Assistance  Option 3 – Regulations Assistance  Option 4 – Data Dissemination Branch 

 Fax: 301-763-4347  E-mail:ftd.scheduleb@census.gov 

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Upcoming Webinars

For more information or to sign up for our next web

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/news_conferences/webinars_e

 Foreign Trade Regulations — Demystifying the Rules of Exporting

2012 

 Filing Export Information Electronically — The ABCs of AES: Sept

 Your Free Tools of Trade — AESDirect and AESPcLink: September  Getting it Right the First Time — How to Avoid Common Penalties

2012 

 What is a Foreign Trade Zone and How Can It Help You?: October