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Reference.org
Harmonized System
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<p> The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, also known as the Harmonized System (HS) of <a href="/facts/Tariff/NCluKCm2">tariff</a> <a href="/facts/Nomenclature/YhTgjjyY">nomenclature</a> is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers to classify traded products. It came into effect in 1988 and has since been developed and maintained by the <a href="/facts/World_Customs_Organization/fvAttICt">World Customs Organization</a> (WCO) (formerly the Customs Co-operation Council), an independent intergovernmental organization based in <a href="/facts/Brussels/tNzHrQYP">Brussels</a>, <a href="/facts/Belgium/YKuMXP5j">Belgium</a>. </p><p>It is used by over 200 WCO member countries and economies as a basis for their Customs tariffs and for the collection of international trade statistics as well as many other purposes. </p>