HS Code Classification

RateTell uses AI to suggest HS (Harmonized System) codes for your products. You review and approve each classification before it's used for duty and tax estimates at checkout.

What Are HS Codes?

HS codes are internationally standardized 6-digit codes that classify traded products. Customs authorities use them to determine duty rates, taxes, and trade restrictions. Each product you ship internationally needs the correct HS code.

The first 6 digits are standardized worldwide by the World Customs Organization (WCO). Countries may add additional digits for their specific tariff schedules. RateTell classifies to the full national tariff code for your destination countries.

How AI Classification Works

When you trigger a classification, RateTell's AI analyzes your product data — title, type, tags, vendor, and other details — to determine the appropriate HS code. It then finds the correct full tariff code for each of your destination countries.

Every classification includes a confidence assessment based on how complete your product data is, so you can prioritize which items to review first. You'll also see alternative codes the AI considered and why it chose the one it did.

The result is a suggested HS code with reasoning, alternative codes considered, and a confidence assessment that helps you prioritize your review.

Classification Statuses

Each classification goes through several statuses:

Reviewing and Approving

All classifications require your review before going live. Here's the workflow:

1. Go to Classifications
2. Filter by Needs Review status
3. Click any row to open the detail drawer
4. You'll see:
   • The AI-suggested HS code and its description
   • Alternative codes considered and why they were rejected
   • The AI's reasoning for its suggestion
   • Any unsupported assumptions the AI had to make
5. If the suggestion is correct, click Approve
6. If incorrect, enter the correct HS code manually

Manual Entry

If you know the correct HS code for a product, you can enter it manually:

1. In the classification detail drawer, use the Manual Entry option
2. Enter the full HS code and description
3. Click Save — the classification is immediately approved

Manual entries override any AI suggestions and are marked with a "Manual" source badge.

Bulk Classification

To classify multiple products at once:

1. Go to Products
2. Select the products or variants you want to classify
3. Click Classify in the floating toolbar
4. Select your target destination countries
5. Choose whether to force reclassify already-approved items
6. Click Start Classification

The classifications will process in the background. Check Classifications to review results.

Classification Limits

Each plan includes a monthly AI classification limit:

During the 14-day trial, you get 200 AI classifications. Per-order DDP fees apply during the trial period. Manual entries don't count toward your classification limit.

A "classification" is one product-variant classified for one destination country. For example, classifying 50 variants for 10 countries uses 500 classifications.

Tips for Better Results

• Write descriptive product titles (see Product Setup)
• Set product types and relevant tags in Shopify
• Classify products to all countries you ship to
• Review needs-review items promptly — unapproved classifications don't generate DDP estimates
• Use manual entry for products with straightforward, well-known HS codes

Next Steps

• Landed Cost & DDP
• Product Setup
• Smart Packing