What are Schedule B commodity codes?

Schedule B commodity codes are administered by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Census Bureau. They are 10 digit codes that are used to classify goods bound for export from the United States. Schedule B numbers are based in part on the international Harmonized Schedule, which is used to regulate imports of goods around the world (including in the United States, using a variant known as the Harmonized Tariff System).

Schedule B numbers and HTS numbers are U.S.-specific numbers derived from the same international standard – the Harmonized System (HS) – set by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The first six digits of a Schedule B, HTS, and HS number for a given item will be the same; however, the last four is where they differ.

It is important to use the correct number for the correct use-case. Schedule B commodity codes are used by the U.S. Census Bureau for tracking exports, and HTS numbers are used for importing. Both of these sets of numbers are applicable for the U.S. only; the rest of the world uses HS numbers.

An Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) is generally applied if an exported good is housed on a controlled list such as the U.S. Commerce Control List (CCL). An ECCN often applies to dual-use items for the purposes of export control from the U.S. This 5-digit designation differs in purpose from the scope of a Schedule-B number. Most ECCNs require a license for export, which includes a fraction of the items exported or re-exported from the United States.