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Trade Classifications

Introduction | By Country | By Commodity | U.S. | Historical | Surveys | Classifications

Two Classification Codes

Sources for trade statistics use one or more standard classification codes to group commodities and products.

• The Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) has been in use since 1950. It has been revised several times; SITC3 (1986) is the most recent revision. More information on SITC3 is available from the UN Classifications Registry.

• The Harmonized System (HS), a newer classification code, was devised to incorporate new product types. It has been revised several times since 1988; HS 2002 is the most recent revision. More information on HS is available from the World Customs Organization.

How the Codes Work

SITC and HS categorize products in standard nomenclature within a numerical hierarchy. In either code, the level of product detail is indicated by digit level within the classification hierarchy. Two-digit product breakdowns are very general while products expressed at five-digits are quite detailed. For example, in HS:

• 84 is the class number for Machinery and Mechanical Appliances
  • 8462.1 is the class number for Forging or Die-stamping Machines

Links Between Classifications

Although many sources now use HS, some also continue to report in SITC. This can be helpful for research requiring time depth, because statistics reported in one classification code may not be readily comparable with those of another.

Tables showing the links between SITC3 and HS 2002 are available in Correspondance Tables at the UN Classifications Registry.

Indexes to Trade Classification Codes

Trade classification indexes are used to look up:

• a classification number to find the associated product
• a product name to find its classification number

Indexes for SITC available at Dewey Library:

• Commodity indexes for the Standard international trade classification. New York, United Nations, 1953.
  HF1041.U562 1953 | Dewey Reference

• Commodity indexes for the Standard international trade classification, revision 2. New York : United Nations, 1981.
  HF1041.U562 1981 | Dewey Reference

• Commodity indexes for the Standard international trade classification, revision 3 /Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis, Statistical Division. New York : United Nations, 1994.
  HF1041.U562 1994 | Dewey Reference

Index for HS available at Dewey Library:

• Schedule B. Statistical classification of domestic and foreign commodities exported from the United States. Washington, Bureau of the Census, for sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
  HF105.A66b | Dewey Reference (Latest edition only)