In our introductory article on tariff numbers we explain what HS, CN and TARIC codes are and why you need them. But the most common follow-up question is: how do I actually find the right tariff code e-commerce for my specific product? That is exactly what this article covers.
Why the right code matters
A wrong tariff code is not something you can fix with a simple correction. Customs authorities can impose additional duties or fines up to three years after importation if it turns out you used an incorrect code. This can result in back-payments of import duties, delays at the border or problems with licensing requirements.
The flip side is that if your product is classified too high, you are overpaying, and reclaiming that over the same period is possible. But the easiest approach is simply to get it right from the start.
The tariff code also matters beyond the moment of import. The code partly determines the import VAT you pay upon customs clearance, and for EPR obligations the product category is relevant for your registration duty in various EU countries.
Which tools can you use
There are four tools that entrepreneurs use most. They complement each other and are suited to different moments in the process.
Tariffnumber.com
Purpose: a user-friendly European database for a quick initial search by HS code or product description.
Input: a free search term in English, German or French, or a (partial) code.
Output: an overview of matching HS, CN and TARIC codes with descriptions, including historical codes going back to 2009.
This is a good starting point, especially when you are not yet sure which direction to look. The interface is more intuitive than the official tools and helps you quickly identify a first code.
Dutch Customs Tariff
Purpose: the official Dutch tool for verifying a code you have found and looking up the exact import duties and measures.
Input: the code you found via tariffnumber.com.
Output: the full 10-digit TARIC code with the applicable import duties, any anti-dumping levies and other measures that apply to imports into the Netherlands.
Always use this as a second step to confirm what you found via tariffnumber.com. The official source is authoritative, including during a customs audit. The step-by-step walkthrough below explains how to use it.
Access2Markets
Purpose: checking what the duties and conditions are per export or import country, including trade agreements.
Input: your (already known) HS code or product name, the country of export and the country of import.
Output: an overview of the applicable customs duty, required documentation, rules of origin and any trade barriers.
Useful when you want to know whether you qualify for a reduced duty rate under a trade agreement, or if you produce or sell across multiple markets outside the EU.
BTI database (via Access2Markets)
Purpose: looking up how similar products have previously been officially classified by EU customs authorities.
Input: a product name, material or code you have already found.
Output: previously issued Binding Tariff Information rulings for comparable products, including the reasoning behind the classification.
Use this as a reference point when you are uncertain about the classification of a product. A BTI ruling does not guarantee the same classification for your product, but it gives a good indication of how customs authorities think about similar cases.
Step by step: how to search in the Dutch Customs Tariff
The most reliable way to verify a code is via the Customs Tariff at tarief.douane.nl. There are two ways to search.
Using the nomenclature, you work from broad to specific: you start at a section (e.g. Section XVI: machinery and mechanical appliances), then move to a chapter, a heading and finally a subheading. This builds a good understanding of how the system works, but it is time-consuming.
Using the description search, you enter a keyword. This is where most entrepreneurs run into a classic pitfall: products are rarely listed under their everyday name. A laptop does not appear under “laptop” but under “portable automatic data processing machines”. A silicone spatula is listed as “kitchen utensils and household articles of silicone”. The key is to think in terms of material and function, not brand name or product description.
Practical example: a USB charger
Suppose you import a USB charger for smartphones from China. How do you approach this?
Step 1: search tariffnumber.com for “USB charger” or “phone charger”. You immediately get a list of relevant codes and descriptions.
Step 2: you notice that code 8504 40 likely stands out as “static converters”. That is your starting point.
Step 3: open the Dutch Customs Tariff and search for this code to verify it. You then refine to the CN code (8 digits) for export or the TARIC code (10 digits) for import into the EU.
Step 4: check the specifications that determine the more precise classification. For electronics, these include wattage, connector type and whether the item is a component or a complete device.
Step 5: note the 10-digit TARIC code and check which import duties and any anti-dumping levies apply.
Always treat the HS code provided by your supplier as a starting point only. Full responsibility for the correct classification upon import into the EU rests with you, not with the supplier.
Tips for a better classification
A few things make a real difference when searching.
Think in terms of material, weight and function. A bag made of plastic falls under a different code than a bag made of leather. A sweet with a sugar coating is different from one without. These details are found in the notes accompanying the chapters of the Customs Tariff.
Ask your supplier for the HS code, but only use the first 6 digits as an initial reference point. The remaining digits differ by country and may not match the EU classification.
Also check whether anti-dumping duties apply to your product and country of origin. These can significantly increase your actual import costs on top of the standard duty rate.
Not sure? Here is how to get certainty
If you cannot find the answer after searching, there are two routes.
You can call the Dutch Customs Contact Centre: 0800 01 43 (free of charge). However, the staff do not provide binding advice, only an initial indication.
For legal certainty, you can apply for a Binding Tariff Information (BTI) ruling from Customs. This is an official decision on the classification of your product, valid for three years throughout the EU. Applications are made digitally via the European Customs Decisions Portal. Allow for a lead time of several months.
Codes change: stay up to date
A tariff code that was correct last year may have been withdrawn this year. The Combined Nomenclature is updated annually.
As of 1 July 2026, several TARIC codes have already changed, including codes for certain plastic products, chemical products and (parts of) devices. Check via the transposition table in the Dutch Customs Tariff whether your code is still valid.
On top of that, the HS 2028 update is coming. The World Customs Organization is introducing nearly 300 changes, including for medical products, vaccines and plastic waste. For products in these categories, the CN and TARIC codes will also change accordingly.
Ask yourself every six months: is my code still correct?
