About HSCODE.UK
HSCODE.UK is an independent reference tool for anyone importing goods into Great Britain, trading with the EU, or classifying goods internationally. Every figure on this site comes from an official public register — we do not invent data.
Data sources & how fresh they are
| Tool | Source | Update cadence |
|---|---|---|
| UK Tariff lookup | Official GOV.UK Trade Tariff API (maintained by HMRC) — commodity codes, duty measures, quotas, licences, trade remedies | Live — every query pulls the current published data, cached briefly by the Cloudflare Worker |
| EU TARIC | European Commission TARIC consultation and monthly TARIC exports (CIRCABC / data.europa.eu) | Consultation updated daily; full exports monthly |
| WCO HS 2022 | WCO HS Nomenclature 2022, via the UN Comtrade public classification (5,613 six-digit codes) | Edition-based — HS 2022 in force since 1 January 2022; next revision HS 2027 |
| UK postcodes & codes | Royal Mail postcode areas; Ofcom numbering; ONS geography | Reviewed with official changes |
How the UK tariff lookup works
When you search, the site queries the official GOV.UK Trade Tariff API through a Cloudflare Worker proxy. The proxy caches responses for a few minutes so the data stays current without hammering HMRC's service. The response is parsed into plain-English groups:
- Duties — third-country (UK Global Tariff) and preferential rates, with duty expression text exactly as published.
- Quotas — tariff-rate quotas with their order numbers.
- Trade remedies — anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duties.
- Licences, prohibitions & controls — import licensing and certification measures.
- VAT & excise — VAT-related measures; standard import VAT is 20%.
Limitations
- Results are for guidance only. Classification depends on the exact composition and origin of your goods — always confirm with HMRC (or a customs agent) and, where needed, obtain a Binding Tariff Information (BTI) ruling before importing.
- EU TARIC measures change daily and are maintained by the Commission. We link each code to the official consultation for the current measures; the monthly full dataset is free for download.
- The WCO HS Database itself is a subscription service; the free six-digit nomenclature bundled here is the official HS 2022 text.
- UK import VAT rates (standard 20%, reduced 5%, zero) are shown as guidance; special regimes (e.g. VAT on low-value parcels) may apply.
Our independence
HSCODE.UK is not affiliated with HMRC, the European Commission, the World Customs Organization, Royal Mail or Ofcom. We exist to make official tariff information easier to use. Revenue comes from site advertising; data is never sold.