Learn how to select accurate, country-specific HS codes and set the Country of Origin (COO) directly during shipment creation — and how this improves duty rate accuracy for shipments to the US, any EU country, or the UK.
Overview
If you ship to the US, any EU country, or the UK, you can now select a more accurate, country-specific HS code with up to 10 digits, instead of only the general 6-digit code. You can also set the Country of Origin (COO) for each item directly on the shipment creation page, rather than needing to update it on the product listing first.
Together, these two details, a localised HS code and a COO, allow Easyship to calculate the exact base duty rate and tariffs for your shipment, rather than an estimate.
Note: The 6-digit HS code option is still available during this transition. Over time, we'll encourage more shipments to use the accurate 10-digit code, since it produces more reliable duty calculations and reduces the risk of customs delays.
Selecting a Localised HS Code on the Shipment Creation Page
- Start creating your shipment as usual and continue to Shipment Information (Step 2 of 5).
- In the item row, click the Category/HS Code field.
- Search for your product's category as normal.
- If the shipment's destination is the US, an EU country, or the UK, you'll see both:
- The existing 6-digit HS code, and
- The country-specific 10-digit HS code for that destination.
- Select the most accurate code available. Where possible, choose the 10-digit code — it's matched specifically to your destination country and gives a more precise duty calculation.
For US shipments, select the specific HS code from the dropdown rather than typing a code manually. This helps prevent customs delays.
Selecting a Localised HS Code on the Product Listing Page
- Go to your Product Listing page.
- Open the product you want to update.
- In the HS Code field, search as normal.
- You'll now see both 6-digit and, where relevant, 10-digit codes for the US, EU, and UK in the same list.
- Select the code that best matches your product and destination.
This means you can prepare accurate HS codes ahead of time at the product level, so they're already in place when you create a shipment.
Setting the Country of Origin (COO) on the Shipment Creation Page
Previously, the Country of Origin could only be set by editing the product on the Product Listing page. You can now set it directly while creating a shipment.
- On the Shipment Information step, find the COO column next to each item.
- Click the COO field to open the country dropdown.
- Use the search bar or scroll to find the correct country of origin.
- Select the country.
Note: Setting the COO here applies to this shipment only. To set a default COO for a product across future shipments, update it on the Product Listing page instead.
How This Improves Duty Calculation
If your shipment is going to the US, an EU country, or the UK, and you've selected a localised HS code along with the Country of Origin, Easyship can calculate the exact base duty rate and tariffs for each item — rather than an estimated range.
This is because the base rate and any applicable tariffs are linked directly to the specific 10-digit HS code and the item's country of origin.
If a localised HS code or COO isn't selected, Easyship will continue to estimate duties using the available information, which may be less precise for these destinations.
Where You Can See the Duty and Tariff Breakdown
- API users (Tax & Duty API, Rates API, Shipments API): The full tariff breakdown is available now in the API response.
- Dashboard users: Tariff breakdown visibility in the dashboard is planned for Q3 2026. Until then, dashboard users will see the calculated duty total, but not the itemised tariff breakdown.
FAQs
Do I have to use the 10-digit HS code?
No, not yet. The 6-digit code is still available for all destinations during this transition. However, using the accurate 10-digit code for US, EU, and UK shipments gives you a more precise duty calculation and helps avoid customs delays.
What happens if I don't select a Country of Origin?
Easyship will still calculate an estimated duty rate, but it won't be able to apply the exact base rate and tariff tied to a specific country of origin. For the most accurate result on US, EU, and UK shipments, always set a COO.
Does setting the COO during shipment creation change it on my product listing?
No. Setting the COO while creating a shipment applies only to that shipment. To update the default COO for a product going forward, edit it on the Product Listing page.
Which countries count as "EU" for this feature?
Any EU member country is included. If you're unsure whether a specific destination qualifies, check the country dropdown when creating your shipment — supported destinations will show the localised HS code list.
When will I see the tariff breakdown in my Easyship dashboard?
This is planned for Q3 2026. Until then, API users (Tax & Duty API, Rates API, and Shipments API) can already access the full tariff breakdown.