HS codes and landed cost

Every international shipment needs an HS code on the commercial invoice.

What's an HS code?

A 6-digit (and often 8- or 10-digit) number that describes what's in the box. 6109.10 = T-shirts of cotton. 8517.12 = mobile phones.

How to find the right one

1. Open the Look up HS code button on the booking form (or Dashboard → Customs → HS lookup)
2. Type what's in the box ("cotton t-shirts", "lithium phone battery")
3. Pick the most specific match

Estimate landed cost before you ship

Open Dashboard → Customs → Landed cost calculator, enter HS code, goods value, origin, destination, currency. We show duty, tax (VAT/GST/sales), brokerage, and total landed cost.

When the duty matters most

• Shipments under the de minimis threshold (US: $800, EU: €150) typically clear duty-free
• DDP — you pay; DDU/DAP — your customer pays at the door
• Surprise duty bills are the #1 cause of refused deliveries. Always quote landed cost when you sell across borders.