Which international convention introduced the Harmonized System for classifying traded goods?

The International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System introduced the Harmonized System for classifying traded goods.

The convention was developed under the Customs Co-operation Council, now called the World Customs Organization. It was signed in Brussels in 1983 and entered into force on 1 January 1988.

The Harmonized System, usually called the HS, gives internationally traded products a standardized six-digit classification code. Customs authorities use these codes to apply tariffs, collect trade statistics, and administer import and export regulations.

Countries can add extra digits for national or regional purposes, so complete tariff codes may be longer than six digits. The HS is updated periodically, but its first six digits provide the common international foundation. It replaced several less consistent classification approaches used by customs administrations.