The HS Code (known as GTİP in Turkey) is a 12-digit customs classification number used to identify products in Turkey's foreign trade. It is the abbreviation for Customs Tariff Statistics Position and is based on the World Customs Organization's Harmonized System and the European Union's Combined Nomenclature. This code, which is different for each product, determines the customs duty rate, required permits, and import/export regulations.

What is the HS Code (GTİP) and why is it important?

The HS Code is a 12-digit identification number that classifies every exported and imported product according to international standards. Exporters, importers, and logistics companies use this code when preparing customs declarations, calculating tax amounts, and determining required permit documents. Selecting the wrong HS Code can lead to customs delays, fines, or incorrect taxation.

• The HS Code consists of 12 digits, and the first 6 digits are identical to the Harmonized System code applicable worldwide.

• The code directly determines the customs duty rate, VAT rate, and necessary permit documents.

• Declaring an incorrect code leads to physical inspection at customs, additional taxes, or administrative fines.

• Benefiting from free trade agreements and receiving preferential tax rates depends on declaring the correct HS Code.

• The Ministry of Trade's online search systems and customs consultants can be used to determine the correct code.

• For businesses engaged in e-export, choosing the correct code directly affects the speed of the shipping process.

Table of Contents

1. Definition and scope of HS Code

2. How the HS Code is structured

3. Core components of the HS Code

4. HS Code and similar classification systems by country

5. Benefits of the HS Code in international trade

6. Comparison of GTİP (Turkish HS Code) and HS Code

7. Common misconceptions about the HS Code

8. How to find and verify the HS Code

9. Frequently asked questions

1. Are HS Code and GTİP the same thing?

2. How many digits is the HS Code (GTİP)?

3. What happens if an incorrect HS Code is declared?

4. Who determines the HS Code?

5. Is the HS Code mandatory for small e-export sellers?

6. What is the link between the HS Code and a product's customs duty?

Definition and scope of HS Code

The GTİP code is the abbreviation for Customs Tariff Statistics Position (the Turkish HS Code) and is the 12-digit numerical code that the Turkish customs administration uses to distinguish each product from others in the same class. The code covers almost all commodity groups from raw materials to final consumer goods: textiles, electronics, food, machinery, chemicals, and more.

The only area excluded is trade in services, as the HS Code only classifies physical movements of goods. As of 2026, the active tariff list in Turkey is updated annually by the Ministry of Trade and published in the Official Gazette. The HS Code under which a product falls is determined by criteria such as its material, intended use, and production stage; different processed forms of the same product may have different codes.

How the HS Code is structured

The HS Code consists of layers built upon one another, with each layer narrowing down the classification. The logic of creating the code follows these steps:

1. The first two digits show the chapter to which the product belongs; for example, Chapter 61 covers knitted apparel.

2. The third and fourth digits narrow the chapter down to the heading level and define the product group.

3. The fifth and sixth digits form the subheading; these first six digits are exactly the same as the Harmonized System worldwide.

4. The seventh and eighth digits are added according to the European Union's Combined Nomenclature (CN), which is the EU's common 8-digit tariff system, aligning the product with its counterparts in the EU market.

5. The last four digits represent the statistical subdivision specific to Turkey and determine national tax rates, additional financial obligations, or special permit requirements.

Thanks to this structure, an HS Code becomes a single reference number aligned with both global and local regulations.

Core components of the HS Code

Each digit group of the HS Code represents a separate classification layer, and these layers together form the product's identity. The five layers are structured as follows:

• The chapter consists of two digits and shows the broad category to which the product belongs; there are 97 chapters in total.

• The heading consists of four digits and defines the product group within the chapter.

• The subheading reaches six digits and forms the final layer of the Harmonized System, which is common worldwide.

• The EU subdivision goes up to eight digits and defines the product in more detail at the Combined Nomenclature level.

• The national statistical position is completed to twelve digits and determines the tax rate specific to Turkey.

Because these five layers work together, entering even a single digit incorrectly can subject the product to an entirely different tax and regulatory regime.

HS Code and similar classification systems by country

The 12-digit GTİP code is only used in Turkey, but since its first six digits are globally valid, it directly matches the systems of other countries. Different countries extend the same Harmonized System base according to their national needs:

• European Union countries use the Combined Nomenclature code, which is 8 digits long.

• The United States uses the HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code for imports and the Schedule B code for exports.

• Turkey creates its 12-digit code by adding 4 more digits to the EU's 8-digit structure.

When a product is sent from Turkey to the US, the first six digits do not change, but the digits after the eighth differ by country. For this reason, exporters must additionally check the corresponding code in the destination country's customs system. The Calculate US Customs Duty tool instantly shows the impact of this difference on taxes for shipments to the US.

Benefits of the HS Code in international trade

When applied correctly, the HS Code provides tangible advantages in terms of both cost and process. The following benefits show why the code is indispensable in export and import transactions:

• Customs duties and VAT rates are calculated automatically through the code, which clarifies pricing in advance.

• Benefiting from preferential tax rates under free trade agreements depends on declaring the correct HS Code.

• The customs administration identifies risky or prohibited products using the code; the correct code reduces the risk of physical inspection.

• Foreign trade statistics are processed into TURKSTAT and Ministry of Trade data according to the HS Code, enabling sectoral analysis.

• Logistics companies determine the list of documents and certificates required during transport based on the code.

When shipping to more than 130 countries via Navlungo, the correct HS Code also helps in accurately calculating the quote provided in the Get Quote Now step.

Comparison of GTİP (Turkish HS Code) and HS Code

The GTİP code and the Harmonized System (HS) code, the 6-digit global framework set by the World Customs Organization, are often confused, but the difference lies in the number of digits and scope. GTİP expands this framework to 12 digits according to Turkey's national legislation.

| Feature | HS Code (Harmonized System) | GTİP Code |

|---|---|---|

| Number of digits | 6 digits | 12 digits |

| Area of validity | Common worldwide | Turkey only |

| Determining body | World Customs Organization | Turkish Ministry of Trade |

| Information covered | General class of the product | General class plus EU subdivision plus national tax details |

| Update frequency | Approximately every 5 years | Annual |

The first six digits are exactly the same in both codes; the difference is made by the last six digits added by Turkey.

Common misconceptions about the HS Code

The most common misconception regarding the HS Code is the belief that the code is fixed and unchangeable. However, the tariff list is revised annually, so a code that was correct last year may have lost its currency this year.

• The GTİP code and the global HS code are not completely identical; only the first six digits are common, the remaining digits are country-specific.

• The brand or sales price of the product does not determine the code; the only criteria determining the code are the material, function, and production method of the product.

• Declaring an incorrect code is not a minor error; it can lead to consequences ranging from confiscation at customs to additional taxes and administrative fines.

• The HS Code does not only concern large companies; small sellers shipping single items via e-commerce are also subject to the same system.

How to find and verify the HS Code

The most reliable way to find a product's HS Code is to use the Ministry of Trade's official search system along with the product's technical specifications. Code determination is generally done using the following sources:

• The Ministry of Trade's online search system allows searching by entering a product description.

• Customs consultants can apply for Binding Tariff Information for complex or multi-component products.

• Past customs declarations of companies that have previously exported the same product can be reviewed as a reference.

• Product details entered while creating a shipment in the Navlungo panel form the basis for accurate code and tax calculations.

Obtaining Binding Tariff Information for products that are suspicious or can match multiple codes prevents potential customs disputes in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Are HS Code and GTİP the same thing?

No, they are not the same thing; GTİP is a system based on the HS code but expands it. The HS code consists of 6 digits and is determined by the World Customs Organization, used worldwide with the same first six digits. The GTİP code, on the other hand, is expanded to 12 digits by adding the European Union's Combined Nomenclature digits and Turkey's national statistical digits to these six digits. Thus, every GTİP code is based on an HS code, but not every HS code is a GTİP code on its own.

How many digits is the HS Code (GTİP)?

The GTİP code consists of a total of 12 digits. The first six digits are the same as the Harmonized System code applicable worldwide, the seventh and eighth digits are determined according to the European Union's Combined Nomenclature, and the last four digits show the national statistical subdivision specific to Turkey. This structure combines alignment with global trade classification and the application of national tax legislation into a single code.

What happens if an incorrect HS Code is declared?

Declaring an incorrect HS Code can lead to physical inspection at customs, additional tax assessments, and administrative fines. When the customs administration detects a mismatch between the declared code and the actual nature of the product, it halts the transaction and initiates an additional investigation. For repeated errors, the company may be subject to stricter controls on its future shipments. If there is doubt in code selection, support should be obtained from a customs consultant or the binding tariff information system.

Who determines the HS Code?

The Turkish Ministry of Trade determines the GTİP code, based on the World Customs Organization's Harmonized System and the European Union's Combined Nomenclature, and updates it annually. The exporter or importer is responsible for determining the correct code for their product; the ministry only provides the classification framework and the search system. In doubtful situations, an official and binding code confirmation can be obtained by applying for Binding Tariff Information.

Is the HS Code mandatory for small e-export sellers?

Yes, regardless of the shipment value or business size, every seller making cross-border sales must declare the correct HS Code. Even in single-piece shipments, customs authorities check the code and determine tax and permit requirements accordingly. The same rule applies to businesses selling through Amazon International Shipping, eBay International Shipping, or Etsy International Shipping, so determining the correct code before shipping directly affects the speed of the delivery process.

What is the link between the HS Code and a product's customs duty?

The HS Code directly determines the customs duty rate to which the product will be subject because each code is linked to a different tax tariff. Two products made from the same raw material can fall under different HS Codes based on their degree of processing, which means different tax rates. Those who wish to see this rate in advance for shipments to the US can calculate the estimated tax amount based on the HS Code using the Calculate US Customs Duty tool.