Which organization is responsible for the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System?

The World Customs Organization is responsible for the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.

The Harmonized System, usually called the HS, is an internationally standardized nomenclature for classifying traded products. The WCO administers the convention and maintains the system through its Harmonized System Committee and related technical work.

The HS uses a six-digit code structure shared internationally. Countries may add further digits for national tariff and statistical purposes, but the first six digits provide a common foundation for customs classification around the world. The system covers goods ranging from agricultural products to machinery and chemicals.

The WTO is sometimes named incorrectly because tariff schedules and trade agreements use HS classifications. The WTO relies on product classifications in trade rules and tariff data, but it does not administer the HS convention. The WCO, headquartered in Brussels, is the organization directly responsible for it.