
Harmonized System V2 (HS V2) User's Guide World Customs Organization (WCO)
Manual Contents Overall Presentation What does this application contain? Warning Why a new version of this application? Users of the previous version Functions Presentation "SEARCH" Functions By Description By Number Results Display Explanatory Notes Classification Opinions Commodities Results List Personalization Tools "BROWSE CONTENT" Functions "ADDITIONAL TEXTS" Functions "MY PREFERENCES" Functions My Personal Notes My Favorites My Searches My Settings
Overall Presentation What does this application contain? This application contains the data from the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System (HS). The Harmonized System (HS) is an international nomenclature of commodities used by more than 200 countries as a base for their customs tariffs and for collecting trade statistics. The HS is an indispensable tool in international trade. Public and private sectors apply the HS as a unique way to identify and codify commodities in order to facilitate international trade and to guaranty the application of custom regulations. The HS is one of the elements that is key to good relations between customs and companies. The HS is also used for other purposes, such as trade policy, rules of origin, monitoring of controlled goods, internal taxes, transport tariffs and statistics, quota controls, as well as economic studies and analyses. The HS has become the "real language of international trade." The following information is collected in this application: - HS nomenclature effective from 1 January, 2007: General rules for the interpretation of the HS Section, Chapter, and Subheading notes List of headings and subheadings - Explanatory Notes - Fourth Edition – 2007 - Classification Opinions - Description of HS amendments that are effective from 1 January, 2007 - A vast list of products and commodities associated with their 6-digit HS code (approximately 200,000 references) Back to top ^ Warning The HS database of commodities was created by the World Customs Organization Secretariat in order to facilitate use of the Harmonized System. Its goal is to help users attribute the corresponding HS code to a given article, but it is simply a guideline and does not constitute any legal requirement. The classification of an article depends on a certain number of technical and legal factors; the database should not be considered as a replacement for the base texts, i.e. the Harmonized System and its Explanatory Notes. For example, chemical products, which are classified in chapters 28 and 29, must be classified elsewhere if they are predosed or packaged for individual sale: Chapter 30 (medicine), Chapter 37 (photography use), Chapter 38 (pesticides), etc. Examine the composition, formula, presentation, function, etc. of the product in question carefully before deciding on its classification. The trademarks mentioned in this publication are from a variety of sources and belong exclusively to their owners. Even though the designations are given in the two official languages of the WCO, French and English, it is possible that they might be more detailed in one language or the other. Back to top ^ Why a new version of this application? The application comprises three essential changes over the former version. First of all, the ability to conduct a search of the entire text body has been considerably improved thanks to the implementation of a "linguistic" search engine. That means that the distinctive characteristics of each language, such as plurals and synonyms, for example, will be taken into account in searches, making it easier to use. To illustrate, if the user conducts a search on the word "candy," the search engine will also find texts in which the word "sweets" appears. In addition, the functions that allow the user to process the search results have been considerably expanded. For example, users will be able to place personal "post-its" on search results (at a chapter, section, heading, Classification Opinion, or Explanatory Note), allowing them to better use those results. And lastly, the navigation interface was completely rethought, but not radically changed, in order to make it more comfortable and user-friendly. Back to top ^ Users of the previous version When this new version was developed, especial attention was paid to reproducing all of the functions present in the previous version. Whenever possible, the same user-friendly concepts have been reproduced. It should therefore be easy for you to feel comfortable with this version, as well as discover its new added functions, in particular: - a new transverse search engine complete with linguistic capabilities (more complete and precise searches); - a new publication process that reduces the time in which updates become available; - the CD and web applications are identical, facilitating the implementation of the new functions; - personalization functions (taking notes, saving elements, typical search settings) that make daily use of the application easier; - many unobtrusive tools that make it more user-friendly. Back to top ^

Functions

Presentation

The page is made up of 3 distinct zones:



- The upper banner which comprises the general tools (log out for the web version, switch languages, a link to this guide, a "breadcrumb trail" to visualize the position of the current screen);

- The left column where the user can access functions that are grouped into expandable boxes (key word and/or position search, navigate in the nomenclature, access additional texts, access personalization tools);

- The central zone is where the search results, official texts, personal tools, etc. will be displayed.

"SEARCH" Function

By Description

This function allows the user to conduct a search of the elements contained in the Harmonized System. There are two search modes:

A "simple" mode which allows you to immediately conduct a search, but which does not allow complex combinations of search criteria

An "advanced" mode which allows you to conduct searches using finer combinations of search criteria

The search engine will allow you to specify in which language the search should be conducted. It is important to select the language in order to activate the distinctive linguistic characteristics for that language.

The following table describes how to use the different criteria. In order to display and use a combination of these criteria, click on the "Advanced Search" tab.

Option	Description
All the terms	Use this option when you want to find a reference in a document, a product, or a commodity that contains all these terms. The search engine can manage plurals and conjugated forms. The terms must be separated by a comma. For example: "fresh tomatoes" would allow you to find all texts that contain the two words (or a derivative of those two words, singular or synonym) but not the texts that contain the words "fresh" or "tomato."
At least one term	Use this option when you want to find a reference in a document, a product, or a commodity that contains at least one of the terms entered. For example: "fresh tomatoes" would allow you to find all the documents that contain the two words as well as those that only contain either "fresh" or "tomato" (or a derivative of those two words, singular or synonym, of course). There is no limit to the number of terms; you may also enter several synonyms.
Start with	Use this option when you want to explicitly search for the radical of a term. For example, enter in "tab" in order to find "table" and "tablet". It should be noted that this option is not useful for finding terms that belong to the same family (if you enter in "table," you will find "tables" and "tabled").
None of the terms	Use this option when you want to exclude one or more terms from the search.
Exact expression	Use this option when you want to conduct a search on all the terms exactly as you have entered them, in the same order, and with no added words.
Activate linguistic	Use this option if you wish to conduct a search on the selected word as well as on its synonyms, plurals, etc.
Search combinations
You may notice that the search engine has an auto completion function for all the aforementioned criteria. The auto completion consists in proposing terms that start with the same letters as the term being entered AND which are present in the Harmonized System texts. The auto completion function is activated when the third letter of a word has been entered. The different options can, of course, be combined for even more effective searches. For example: - All the terms: "Tomatoes" - At least one of the terms: "sauce concentrate juice paste" - None of the terms: "machine" You will obtain results that contain references to tomato sauce, paste, concentrate, and juice, but not the machines used to make them. and juice, but not the machines used to make them.
Search scope
You can define the search scope by selecting the elements in which you would like to conduct your search: - Explanatory Notes - Commodities - Classification Opinions A "Save These Settings" button allows you to save the current scope (for example, if only the "Commodities" line is selected and you use click on the "Save These Settings" button, only the "Commodities" line will be selected the next time you use the search function, even if you log out and log back in. Click on the "Save These Settings" button once again if you want to save different settings.

By Number

Enter the number(s) into the field that you would like to search for:

- Section: use the Roman numeral

- Chapter: use a two-digit number (01 to 97)

- Heading: use a 4-digit number without spaces or punctuation

- Subheading: use a 6-digit number

You can also conduct a search for several numbers by separating them with a comma ",".

For example:

If you enter in "IX, 07, 1604," you will obtain all the data that correspond to Section IX (including the Chapters, Headings, and Subheadings in that Section), Chapter 07 (including the Headings and Subheadings in that Chapter), as well as Heading 1604.

The search can be conducted on either 2002 or 2007.

Click on the "Confirm" button to launch your search.

Results Display

Search results are presented in list format. Each element type (Explanatory Notes, Commodities, Classification Opinions) is represented by its own list of results.

A set of tabs allows you to switch from one element to another.

The title of the tab corresponds to the element and the number of results for that element is displayed in parentheses. Click on the tab in order to display the corresponding list. If the tab is not clickable, that means that the element was not included in the scope of the search.

Explanatory Notes

Explanatory Notes can be displayed in one of two ways:

Flat View

Tree View

Flat View

With this view, the list is displayed in two consecutive zones, one above the other. The titles of the sections, chapters, or headings for which notes were found are displayed in the upper part of the screen. The notes themselves are displayed in the lower part of the screen. In order to view a specific note, click on the corresponding title in the upper part of the screen.

The list of notes is displayed in sets of 25, 50, 75, 100, or 200. Click on the "next" link to view the following set of notes (if there is one) and on the "previous" link to view the previous set of notes (if there is one).

You can also select the order in which the results will be displayed, by relevance or by order number in the nomenclature.

Tree View

With this view, the list is displayed in a single zone in which all the results are categorized by section. This view allows you to see at a glance in which sections the search results appear.

Click on the section or chapter number in order to display the different levels of the tree structure. If it is not possible to click on one or the other, that means that the note found is the section or chapter note.

Click on the title of the section, chapter, or heading in order to display the note in a new window.

If the title is not clickable, that means that the section (or chapter) note is not part of the search results.

Classification Opinions Classification opinions are displayed in list format wherein each line corresponds to an opinion.

The subheading (hs6) that corresponds to the classification opinion and its order number in that subheading appear in the left-hand column. The second column contains the beginning of the opinion description. Simply click on a line to view the entire opinion.

In the exploded view, you can consult the entire opinion (including any photos or illustrations) and access explanatory notes that correspond to the heading, chapter, and section that correspond to that opinion. Click on the word "Heading," "Chapter," or "Section" to display those notes (in a new window). Click on the line to collapse the opinion just like you did to expand it.

Commodities Commodities are displayed in list format wherein each line corresponds to a commodity.

The heading (hs4) or subheading (hs6) that corresponds to the commodity appears in the left-hand column. The second column contains the beginning of the commodity description. Simply click on a line to view the entire opinion.

In the exploded view, you can consult the entire commodity and access explanatory notes that correspond to the heading, chapter, and section. Click on the word "Heading," "Chapter," or "Section" to display those notes (in a new window). Click on the line to collapse the commodity just like you did to expand it.

List Personalization Tools

Symbol	Tool	Description
	Save	Use this function to save the search among your favorite searches. This will allow you to launch the search directly in the future (see "My Preferences / My Searches").
	Save Tab Order	Use this function when you want to change the default order of the tabs in the search results list ("Explanatory Notes" / "Commodities" / "Classification Opinions").
	Flat View	Use this function to switch to a flat view (screen split into two sections, search results on top, details on the bottom) for the List of Explanatory Notes. This button is only visible for the list of explanatory notes and only if the current display mode is "Tree View."
	Tree View	Use this function to switch to a tree view (by section/chapter/heading) for the search result. The details will be opened in a new window. Click on an element's number to expand it and display its contents. Click on the title (when it is clickable) in order to display the result. This button is only visible for the list of explanatory notes and only if the current display mode is "Flat View."
	Default View	This function allows you to save the current explanatory notes display mode (Flat or Tree View). This display mode will then be used when you conduct future searches of explanatory notes.
	Print	Use this function to print the document you found. (opens in a new window)
	Save Comment	Use this function to enter a personal comment that will be saved in your preferences (see "My Preferences")
	Save to Favorites	Use this function to save the search result you found in your favorites (see "My Preferences").

"BROWSE CONTENTS" Function

This function is an alternative to the search function (see "SEARCH" Function) to display explanatory notes, commodities, or classification opinions. The use of this function necessitates a nomenclature approach. The nomenclature appears in the form of a collapsible tree structure on the right-hand side of the screen when the application is opened.

Use the [+] and [-] buttons to expand and collapse the tree's branches. Click on an element's title to select it.

When you select an item, its title will appear in the "Item Results" zone on the left-hand side of the screen.

Once an element has been selected, click on "Confirm" to display the list of results for the selected language and scope. The results will be displayed as they are when the textual search engine is used (see Results Display).

"ADDITIONAL TEXTS" Function

This function allows you to display additional texts that have been published outside the nomenclature (the legal text), the explanatory notes, and the classification opinions.

These texts are mainly tables and appendices that are useful for understanding the nomenclature.

Select a text by clicking on its title in the tree view in order to display it. The text will appear in a new window and it can be printed out.

"MY PREFERENCES" Function This zone is where you can access the personalization functions that are available to you. This is where you will find information on how to personalize the search functions: - My Personal Notes - My Favorites - My Searches - My Settings
My Personal Notes This screen contains the list of personal comments that you entered as you used the documents in the Harmonized System. Personal notes are categorized according to criteria (the elements where the notes were placed) and are available via a tab, similar to when search results are displayed (see Results Display). After selecting a tab, the list of personal notes will appear in the form of a list with three columns: - Heading: this may in fact be a section, chapter, heading, or subheading number (for Classification Opinions and Commodities only). This is the level of the nomenclature where the note was placed. - Name: this is the beginning of the entered comment. - Date: this is the date on which the comment was last modified. Click on the name in order to display the entire note. The note will be displayed in edit mode in a new window allowing you to make modifications. The application will keep the notes even if you log out. Click on the "delete" button in order to delete a note. Back to top ^
My Favorites This screen contains the list of elements that you marked as you used the documents in the Harmonized System. Favorites are categorized according to criteria (the elements where the notes were placed) and are available via a tab, similar to when search results are displayed (see Results Display). After selecting a tab, the list of favorites will appear in the form of a list with three columns: - Heading: this may in fact be a section, chapter, heading, or subheading number (for Classification Opinions and Commodities only). This is the level of the nomenclature where the note was placed. - Name: this is the beginning of the element's title. - Date: this is the date on which the comment was last modified. Click on the button on the right-hand side of the screen to delete an element from your favorites. Click on a name to display the corresponding element. Back to top ^
My Searches This screen contains the list of searches that you have saved. Each search has a date (the date on which you saved the search) as well as all the criteria you specified when you launched the search. Click on the "modify" button to launch the search. This will take you to the application's "SEARCH" screen and the search results will be displayed in a list (see Results Display). Click on the "delete" button to delete a saved search. Back to top ^
My Settings This screen allows you to modify certain application settings for the search results (see "SEARCH" function) - Default tab order - Default explanatory notes view - Default search scope Use the online mode (WEB version of the application) to see information regarding your subscription contract (link to the WCO store). Back to top ^

What does this application contain?

Why a new version of this application?

Users of the previous version