HS Codes for Furniture: A Classification Guide That Saves Money

The HS code you put on a furniture shipment decides the duty rate you pay. A wrong code can mean a higher duty, a customs hold, or a penalty. And because furniture spans many materials and uses, the classification is easy to get wrong. This guide explains how furniture HS codes work, how to classify correctly, and why getting it right saves money.

Riwick is a China furniture sourcing service that helps buyers clear customs and import from Foshan. Classification is where the landed cost starts to be decided, and the sourcing service handles it for buyers.

How Furniture HS Codes Work

The HS system classifies goods using a numeric code. Furniture falls into specific chapter and heading ranges depending on material and function. A wood-framed upholstered chair, a metal chair, and a plastic chair each have their own code and their own duty rate. The higher the processing and the closer to a finished consumer product, the more specific — and often the higher — the tariff.

Why a Wrong Code Costs Money

A wrong HS code can leave you overpaying duty (if you picked a higher-rated code) or under-declaring (if you picked a lower one). Under-declaring risks a customs delay or a fine. Both cost money. The fix is to classify accurately at the six-digit HS level and confirm the market-specific ten-digit rate for your destination.

Where to Verify a Furniture HS Code

Use the official tariff lookup for the destination market: the US uses the USITC HTS, the EU uses TARIC, the UK uses the trade tariff. Verify before you ship, and keep the classification on the commercial invoice. The U.S. International Trade Commission publishes the official HTS search where you can confirm the rate.

Duty and the Landed Cost

The duty is only one line in the landed cost. A correct HS code feeds into customs, freight and VAT, so an accurate classification protects the whole estimate. For a first shipment, have your sourcing partner or a broker confirm the code. The ceramic HS code guide shows the same method applied to a different product.

To source furniture through a trusted partner, start with the sourcing service page.

See also: HS codes for ceramic tiles.

See also: furniture hardware import duties.

Common Questions

Can I use the same HS code for all furniture?

No. Furniture is classified by material and use, so a wood chair, a metal chair and a plastic chair have different codes and duty rates. Classify each product accurately at the HS level to get the right rate.

What happens if I use the wrong HS code?

You may overpay duty or under-declare. Under-declaring risks a customs hold, a fine, or a reassessment. Verify the code against the destination tariff lookup before you ship to avoid both.