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Commodity Code Lookup

Search the official UK Trade Tariff by describing your product, narrow it down to a 10-digit commodity code, and see the standard duty rate and import VAT, then send the rate straight to our import duty calculator.

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  • Live UK Trade Tariff data
  • Duty and import VAT by code
  • Free, no sign-up

In short

A commodity code is the 10-digit number that classifies goods imported into the UK. It decides the customs duty rate, the import VAT rate and any controls that apply. This lookup searches HMRC's UK Trade Tariff by product description, lets you drill down from a heading to the right code, and shows that code's third country duty and VAT.

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Results from the official UK Trade Tariff will appear here.

    Data from the UK Integrated Online Tariff, provided by HMRC under the Open Government Licence. It is a search aid: you are responsible for the code you declare. If you are unsure, HMRC can give an Advance Tariff Ruling.

    How to use it

    How to find the right commodity code

    1. 01

      Describe what it is and what it is made of

      Classification depends on what the product is, its material and its use. "Cotton t-shirt" finds better results than a brand or product name.

    2. 02

      Pick the closest heading or code

      Results show 10-digit codes and four-digit headings. Open a heading to see every code under it, then choose the one whose description fits.

    3. 03

      Check the duty and VAT

      Each code shows the standard third country duty and the import VAT rate. A lower preferential rate can apply under a trade agreement if you hold proof of origin.

    4. 04

      Work out the landed cost

      Send the duty rate to the import duty calculator to see duty, import VAT and landed cost per unit for your shipment.

    Reading a code

    What the digits in a commodity code mean

    Using 6109 10 00 10 (cotton T-shirts) as the example.

    DigitsLevelExample
    61ChapterArticles of apparel, knitted or crocheted
    6109HeadingT-shirts, singlets and other vests, knitted or crocheted
    6109 10Subheading (international HS code)Of cotton
    6109 10 00UK and EU subdivisionOf cotton
    6109 10 00 10Full 10-digit import codeT-shirts

    The first six digits are the Harmonized System code used worldwide. Your supplier's HS code is a starting point, but the UK import code needs all ten digits.

    Getting it right

    Why the right code matters

    The commodity code sets how much duty you pay, so a wrong code can mean paying too much on every shipment, or too little and owing HMRC the difference later. It also decides whether licences, quotas or extra duties apply to the goods.

    You, as the importer, are responsible for the code on your customs declaration, even if a freight forwarder submits it. If the right code is genuinely unclear, HMRC can give an Advance Tariff Ruling, which is legally binding. Our guide on how to calculate UK import duty walks through the rest of the process.

    Importing regularly?

    We bring duty, freight and import VAT into your cost of goods for every shipment, so your margins are real.

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    Frequently asked questions

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    What is a commodity code?
    A commodity code is a 10-digit number that classifies goods for import into the UK. It sets the duty and VAT rate and shows whether any licences, quotas or other controls apply.
    Is a commodity code the same as an HS code?
    Not quite. The first six digits are the international Harmonized System (HS) code. UK import codes add four more digits for UK-specific rates, making ten in total.
    Where does this tool get its data?
    It searches HMRC's UK Integrated Online Tariff directly, so codes, duty rates and VAT rates come from the official source at the time you search.
    What if I cannot find my product?
    Try a simpler or more general description, or search by the material. If the right code is still unclear, you can apply to HMRC for an Advance Tariff Ruling.
    Does the duty rate shown include preferential rates?
    No. It shows the standard third country duty. Goods from a country with a UK trade agreement may qualify for a lower rate if you hold valid proof of origin.

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