USA and Canada Exports: Mandatory Submission of 4-Digits Harmonized Code

To ensure high quality, faster Bill of Lading release and due to the increasing customs requirements of different countries throughout the world, we will implement a requirement for a minimum of 4 digits on HS codes, on your submission of Shipping Instructions for exports from Canada or the United States.

This will be implemented effective April 1, 2020.

Where specific country customs regulations need more than 4 digits in the HS Code, these more stringent requirements still need to be met.

If this information is not available upon submitting Shipping Instruction to Hapag-Lloyd at Port of Loading, prior to document cut-off, our documentation team will input an HS code that is determined to be suitably close to your commodity description. It is your responsibility to review the inputted HS Code and advise if a correction is needed. Any costs, penalties or fines related to incorrect HS Code submission will be on customers account.