1201 Outline of Tariff Classification (FAQ)

  The Tariff Schedules of Japan is based on the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, which is called by the name of the HS convention. The HS Convention came into force in January 1988 and as of May 2025, 161 countries and customs or economic unions are Contracting Parties to the Convention. The Annex of the HS Convention is commonly known as the HS Nomenclature, and it lists commodities in order to classify all goods uniformly and systematically.

  The Tariff Schedules of Japan further divides the HS Nomenclature, when necessary.

  The HS Nomenclature is a structured nomenclature comprising headings and subheadings, Imported goods are classified systematically from headings, subheadings to subdivisions of the tariff schedule.

  The task to classify the imported goods in the Tariff Schedule is called “tariff classification”.

  The four-digit number designated for headings and six-digit number designated for subheadings are called HS codes.
  Furthermore, Japan adopts three-digit statistical codes for the subdivision to the six-digit subheadings.
  Please note that the number of digits of the statistical code is different in each country.

(Note) HS is the abbreviation of Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.
The HS Convention Contracting Parties: 161 countries and customs or economic unions
Countries and regions adopting the HS (including the HS convention Contracting Parties): 212 countries and regions (as of May 2025)

For consultations on customs procedures, please contact the nearest Customs Counselor.
Please see No. 9301 for inquiries.