The WTO Harmonized System (HS) Tracker consolidates detailed information on the evolution of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) across its various editions. Developed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat with support from the World Customs Organization (WCO), this tool is designed to assist stakeholders in understanding and navigating changes in HS codes over time.
Key Data Components:
Subheading Visualizer: Graphically illustrates how specific HS codes have evolved across different editions, including mergers, splits, and other modifications. It also provides explanations from the WCO regarding the reasons for these changes.
HS at a Glance: Offers a consolidated view of HS amendments by integrating various HS editions into a single structure. This feature allows users to browse multiple HS nomenclatures simultaneously for particular codes and determine how they have been affected by specific HS amendments.
Data Structure and Scope:
HS Levels: Data is organized by HS levels, including Chapters (2-digit), Headings (4-digit), and Subheadings (6-digit), facilitating detailed analysis at each classification level.
Version Coverage: The dataset includes information from multiple HS editions, such as HS 1992, 1996, 2002, 2007, and 2022, enabling users to track changes across different time periods.
Geographical and Linguistic Coverage: The HS Tracker incorporates data from various sources, including the WCO, Eurostat's classifications, and the Convenio Multilateral sobre Cooperación y Asistencia Mutua de Aduanas de América Latina, España y Portugal (COMALEP), providing multilingual support in English, French, and Spanish.
This dataset serves as a valuable resource for customs and trade officials, statisticians, legal professionals, and researchers seeking to understand the historical and current structures of the HS and the rationale behind its amendments.