Schedule B number
You’ll need to pay taxes when exporting goods from the USA — Schedule B numbers tell you exactly how much. Here you can learn how to find Schedule B numbers, and how to get a better deal when making international payments.
What is a Schedule B number?
Schedule B numbers are 10 digit codes used by the United States government to track the goods being exported out of the country. Each code describes a particular type of product, allowing the government to charge different tariffs for different trade goods.
If you’re planning on exporting goods from the USA, you’ll need to find the right Schedule B numbers to use.
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Schedule B number format
Schedule B numbers are made up of 4 parts, adding up to 10 digits in total. Each part provides more detailed information about the product — starting with the ‘chapter’, which describes the industry, and ending with the ‘statistical classification’, which describes the particular product.
HTSUS numbers are an extension of internationally recognized HS codes that were developed by World Customs Organization (WCO).
Here, we’ve given a breakdown of the Schedule B number for chocolate confectionery.
HS Chapter | 2 digits | 18 - Cocoa and Cocoa Preparations |
HS Heading | 2 digits | 1806 - Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa |
HS SubHeading | 2 digits | 1806 31 - Filled |
Statistical Classification | 4 digits | 1806 31 0040 - Confectionery |
What are HS codes?
Harmonised System (HS) codes are an international standard for calculating tax on imported goods. Controlled by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the system was first introduced in 1988.
The HS code system forms the basis for all tariff codes in the US, which means that Schedule B numbers are part of the international HS code system. They’re only used for exporting goods from the US, however.
How to use Schedule B numbers
You can find the right Schedule B number by searching for the product in the Schedule B book, managed by the US government.
Taking chocolate confectionery as an example, you’d start by searching for the section and chapter that represents the industry. In this case, it would be section 4 (Prepared Foodstuffs) and chapter 18 (Cocoa and Cocoa Preparations).
Next, you’d search for the right Heading and Subheading, both of which would continue to describe your product in greater detail. In this case, the Heading would be 06 (Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa), and the Subheading would be 31 (Filled).
Finally, you’d look for the Statistical Classification, in this case 0040 (Confectionery). Combining these digits will give you the Schedule B number — 1806 31 0040.
| SECTION | CATEGORY | CHAPTERS |
|---|---|---|
1 | Animal & Animal Products | 1-5 |
2 | Vegetable Products | 6-14 |
3 | Animal or Vegetable Fats and Oils | 15 |
4 | Prepared Foodstuffs | 16-24 |
5 | Mineral Products | 25-27 |
6 | Chemicals & Allied Industries | 28-38 |
7 | Plastics / Rubbers | 39-40 |
8 | Raw Hides, Skins, Leather, & Furs | 41-43 |
9 | Wood & Wood Products | 44-46 |
10 | Pulp of Wood or of Other Fibrous Material | 47-49 |
11 | Textiles | 50-63 |
12 | Footwear / Headgear | 64-67 |
13 | Stone / Glass | 68-70 |
14 | Natural or Cultured Pearls | 71 |
15 | Base Metals | 72-83 |
16 | Machinery / Electrical | 84-85 |
17 | Transportation | 86-89 |
18 | Precision Instruments | 90-92 |
19 | Arms and Ammunition | 93 |
20 | Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles | 94-96 |
21 | Works of Art | 97-98 |
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Schedule B numbers, HS codes, and HTS codes — what’s the difference?
Depending on the type of international trade you’ll be doing, there are a few numbers and codes you might need.
Schedule B numbers help the US government to track trade exports leaving the country, and charge the right tariffs each product. If you’re planning on exporting goods abroad from the US, you’ll need to have the right Schedule B numbers.
HS codes are an international system for tracking trade goods. They form the basis for all tariff codes, including the first 6 digits of Schedule B numbers and HTS codes in the US. You’ll often find HS codes on invoices and shipping documents around the world.
HTS codes are like Schedule B numbers, but for importing goods into the United States instead. They’re also made up of 10 digits, and they help the US government to track imports and apply the right tariffs to different products.
