For Humans
A non-technical guide to understanding the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and how to use HTS MCP to look up tariff information.
What is the HTS?
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) is a structured list of all goods that can be imported into the country. Every product that crosses the border gets assigned an 8-digit code that determines:
- The duty rate (tax) applied to the import
- Whether the product qualifies for free trade agreement (FTA) preferential rates
- Statistical tracking for trade data
Understanding the Code Hierarchy
HTS codes are hierarchical. Each level adds specificity:
| Level | Digits | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 2 | 02 | Meat and edible meat offal |
| Heading | 4 | 0201 | Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled |
| Subheading | 6 | 0201.30 | Boneless beef |
| Tariff line | 8 | 0201.30.80 | Other boneless beef |
The first 6 digits (HS6) are internationally harmonized, the same codes are used by 200+ countries. The last 2 digits are US-specific.
Understanding Rates
MFN Rate (Most Favored Nation)
The MFN rate is the default tariff rate applied to imports from WTO member countries. It can be expressed as:
- Ad valorem: A percentage of the goods’ value (e.g.,
6.4%) - Specific: A fixed amount per unit (e.g.,
$0.26/kg) - Compound: Both ad valorem and specific combined
- Free: No duty
FTA Rates
Products from countries with free trade agreements may qualify for reduced or zero rates. Major FTA programs include:
- USMCA: United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
- CAFTA-DR: Central America-Dominican Republic FTA
- AGOA: African Growth and Opportunity Act
- GSP: Generalized System of Preferences
Looking Up a Tariff Code
By Code (if you know it)
Use get_tariff with the 8-digit code:
“What is the tariff for HTS code 0201.30.80?”
This returns the full tariff detail including description, all rate columns, and effective dates.
By Description (if you don’t know the code)
Use search_tariffs with a natural language description:
“Search for fresh boneless beef”
The search engine uses hybrid scoring (70% semantic similarity + 30% lexical matching) to find the most relevant codes.
By Relationship
Use get_code_relationships to discover related codes:
“What codes are related to 0201.30.80?”
This reveals material affinities, functional similarities, substitution products, and component-assembly relationships.
Tips for Accurate Classification
- Start broad, narrow down: Begin with a general search, then examine the heading and subheading descriptions
- Read the section and chapter notes: Legal classification rules live in the notes, not just the descriptions
- Check cross-references: A code’s description may reference other codes where similar products are classified
- Consider the primary function: Products are classified by their primary purpose, not by material alone
- Use the knowledge graph: Related codes can reveal classification alternatives you hadn’t considered