HS Code or Harmonized code is referred to a predictable feature of the import export trade. It is a unique numerical code assigned to different products as well as commodities necessary while shipping from one destination to another. It is widely used to explain particular goods in the import export business platform.
The HS code list is regulated and preserved by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT India). The global coding system has been accepted in India for export import management. It is basically an eight digit code that has been created according to the global coding system that remains appropriate for the international trading society of the country. The code is principally, a unique ID allocated to a special trading product, which is utilized by more than 200 countries all over the world.
DGFT India is known as the governing authority that pays attention of the modifications or formulation or adding of new codes in the present harmonized code list. The authority performs periodical activities which include commodity description, weeding out of invalid codes, adding up new codes and change of product description among others. It keeps the harmonized code list, which is a set of different codes categorized under 21 sections.
The 21 sections comprise Animals & Animal Products; Prepared Foodstuffs; Mineral Products; Chemical Products; Plastics & Rubber; Vegetable Products; Cement, Asbestos; Pearls, Animal or Vegetable Fats; Hides & Skins; Footwear, Headgear; Articles Of Stone, Wood & Wood Products; Wood Pulp Products; Textiles & Textile Articles; Plaster, Base Metals & Articles Thereof; Precious Or Semi-Precious Stones, Musical; Arms & Ammunition; Metals; Machinery & Mechanical Appliances; Transportation Equipment; Instruments - Measuring, Miscellaneous; and Works Of Art. Each of these 21 sections is additionally separated into 98 chapters. The chapters are additionally divided into sub-headings under which special HS Codes for various products are stated.