Harmonized Tariff differ slightly between countries... which should I use?

[Dinky]

Hello

Can you good people help me understand the Harmonized Tariff system please, as it doesn't appear to be completely harmonized across countries. Example...

The UK tariff code for the product I export to Canada is 8523492000.

However, this exact code doesn't exist in the Canadian customs tariff, as there is no 8523492000. The closest I can find is 8523.49.00...

Two questions...

1. I assumed the Harmonized Tariff system meant that the same codes were used worldwide, but there seems to be a slight variant between countries, so does that mean I need to use different codes for each different country I'm exporting to?

2. Due to the slight variations, when I send using the UK code where it doesn't exist fully in the destination country, do customs simply default back to the base code and apply applicable duty, (8523.49.00 in this instance), or does the shipment always run the risk of being held on request for correct tariff code according to said country's own HS codes?

Thank you

 

[japancool]

Only the first 6 digits of the tariff code are internationally specified. The remaining digits are country specific. Your best bet is just to use the base code, or transmit the code that the receiving country expects.

So yes, you could be using different codes for different countries, although the whole EU uses the same codes.

 

[MOIC]

2. Due to the slight variations, when I send using the UK code where it doesn't exist fully in the destination country, do customs simply default back to the base code and apply applicable duty, (8523.49.00 in this instance)

It will be defaulted to the base code, under 99% of cases.

 

[Customs Geek]

2. Due to the slight variations, when I send using the UK code where it doesn't exist fully in the destination country, do customs simply default back to the base code and apply applicable duty, (8523.49.00 in this instance), or does the shipment always run the risk of being held on request for correct tariff code according to said country's own HS codes?

Thank you

As Japancool has already said the tariff is only harmonised to the first six digits. You need to use the Uk 8 digits at at export but it’s the responsibility of the importer in the destination to decide the correct local code .
Even if the digits match in one country and another they can have different meanings depending on how that country has decided to further divide the the harmonised code.

 

[Dinky]

Brilliant, thanks all ?