HS (Harmonized System) code is an internationally standardized product classification system developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), adopted by over 200 countries. It consists of 6 digits globally, with countries extending to 10 digits (e.g., US HTS 10-digit, UK Commodity Code 10-digit, China HS 10-digit).

How accurate is AI HS code classification?

HSBot is built on official customs policy and real customs data. For common products, classification accuracy exceeds 95%. AI results are for reference only—actual declarations should be verified with customs authorities. Combining product details (material, usage, composition) improves accuracy.

What countries does HSBot support?

HSBot currently supports US HTS codes and UK tariff codes (import classification) and China HS codes (export classification), covering the most common China-US and China-UK trade scenarios. More countries including EU, Japan, Vietnam, and Mexico are coming soon.

How many free queries do I get per day?

Free users can make 20 classification queries per day. The quota resets at 00:00 Beijing time daily. Contact us for enterprise plans with higher limits and API access.

What is Section 232 tariff?

Section 232 tariff is an additional US import duty on steel, aluminum, and copper products based on national security grounds. HSBot automatically calculates applicable Section 232 rates based on HS code prefixes and exporting country.

What is Section 301 tariff?

Section 301 tariff is an additional US import duty on certain products from China, in response to trade practices. HSBot automatically identifies applicable Section 301 rates and checks for tariff exclusions.

Does FOB include domestic freight?

Yes. FOB includes local costs to transport goods to the port and load them, but excludes international ocean freight and insurance.

How is FOB calculated for air freight?

Air freight also uses the price 'before delivery to carrier' as FOB. The logic is the same, and air freight is not subject to HMF.

Will high freight increase my US tariffs?

No. The US calculates tariffs on FOB, so no matter how high the freight, it is not included in the tax base.

Are the US and China tariff bases the same?

No. The US uses FOB (Free On Board) as the tax base, while China uses CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight). The same shipment has different tax bases in the two countries.

I only have CIF. How do I fill in HSBot?

Subtract international freight and insurance from CIF to get FOB, then enter it in the 'value' field. HSBot uses FOB as the tax base.

What Is FOB? Why US Tariffs Don't Include Freight

Bottom line: FOB (Free On Board) = the price of goods before loading onto the ship, excluding international freight and insurance. US customs uses FOB as the tariff tax base, so the tax you pay is based on the goods' value before they reach the port — freight and insurance are not taxed.

What Exactly Is FOB?

FOB is an international trade term referring to all costs incurred by the seller before the goods are loaded onto the ship (or handed to the carrier): ex-factory price + local freight + packing + terminal charges. International freight and insurance incurred after loading are NOT part of FOB.

Correspondingly: - CIF = FOB + international freight + insurance (landed cost) - CFR = FOB + international freight

Why Does the US Use FOB While China/EU Use CIF?

Country/Region	Tax base	Meaning
United States	FOB	Excludes freight and insurance
China	CIF	Includes freight and insurance
European Union	CIF	Includes freight and insurance

This is an established rule in each country's customs law, not optional. So the same shipment is taxed on a different base in the US vs. China/EU.

What Does This Mean for Tax Calculation?

Assume FOB value of $10,000, international freight + insurance of $1,500:

US (taxed on FOB $10,000): MFN/301/232/MPF/HMF calculated on $10,000
China (taxed on CIF $11,500): Import taxes calculated on $11,500

If you mistakenly calculate US taxes using CIF, you're paying duties on the freight and insurance — paying extra for nothing.

MPF / HMF Are Also Based on FOB

Easily overlooked: MPF (0.3464%) and HMF (0.125%) are also calculated on FOB, not on the duty amount. So if you enter the wrong "value," the fees will also be wrong.

How to Fill in HSBot?

The "value" field in HSBot's tariff calculator = FOB = transaction price (excluding international freight and insurance). Enter the correct value so all layers and fees are calculated accurately. If you only have CIF, subtract freight and insurance to get FOB before entering.

Avoid Tax Base Errors with HSBot

HSBot explicitly uses FOB as the tax base. Enter your product and value to automatically stack all layers, without needing to manually distinguish between CIF/FOB conversion traps.