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Tariff code for goods from China: what the forwarder confirms and what you prepare

Transcont teamUpdated 2 min read

Short answer

Checked 09.10.2026

The tariff (HS) code decides the duty on your goods, so it should be settled before you pay the deposit. Your forwarder, your own or one we recommend, confirms the code and handles clearance, duty and VAT. Your part is a clear product description and the certificates your goods require. We deliver the goods to the customs warehouse and hand over the export documents and the documents needed for clearance.

Source: World Customs Organization: What is the Harmonized System (HS)?

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Why the tariff code comes before the order

The tariff code decides the duty rate and whether your goods need a licence or inspection. Settle it while you can still change the product, the model or the price, and before you pay the deposit. Your forwarder confirms the code; for an approximate total, enter the rate in the landed cost calculator with the goods value and your freight quote.

Small blender, its plain box, a fabric swatch and a bag of spare parts laid out on a desk for the product description

What we do and what your forwarder does

We do not carry out customs clearance. A forwarder handles clearance, duty and VAT, your own or one we recommend. Many clients already have their own forwarder. We deliver the goods to the customs warehouse and hand over the export documents and the documents needed for clearance.

The description on the invoice should match the description used to choose the code. When the documents are accurate and complete, the customs procedure is usually much simpler, with a lower risk of the goods being held. See import documents, certificates by type of goods and customs documents and delivery.

Product information pack

Before you ask your forwarder for the code, prepare:

  • exact product name and model, as on the invoice;
  • material and composition, with percentages for textiles and mixtures;
  • function and intended use: household, professional, for children;
  • power: battery, mains, charger;
  • photos of the product, label and packaging;
  • the supplier's catalogue or technical sheet;
  • quantity and value per item;
  • the supplier's HS code, if given.
Man photographing a product and its packaging with a phone at a packing table

Next step

If you are planning an order, send us the same pack through the contact form and ask for a transport quote. Our head office is in Skopje. Clearance, duty and VAT stay with your own or a recommended forwarder.

Written by the Transcont team

Updated

Frequently asked questions

  • Is the HS code the same in every Balkan country?

    The first six digits are. The Harmonized System of the World Customs Organization gives each product group a 6-digit code used by more than 200 countries and economies. Each country then adds its own national digits and sets its own rates, so your forwarder in the country of import confirms the full code and the duty.

  • Can I use the HS code on my Chinese supplier's invoice?

    As a starting point only. The supplier writes the code from the Chinese export tariff. Give it to your forwarder together with the product description, and let them confirm it before you order.

  • Who confirms the tariff code and the duty?

    Your forwarder, your own or one we recommend. We do not carry out customs clearance. A forwarder handles clearance, duty and VAT. We deliver the goods to the customs warehouse and hand over the export documents and the documents needed for clearance.

Source

Sources

  1. 01World Customs Organization: What is the Harmonized System (HS)?Accessed 03.10.2026
  2. 02Customs Administration (MK): Царинска тарифаAccessed 03.10.2026
  3. 03Customs Administration (MK): Закон за царинска тарифа, annual decisionsAccessed 03.10.2026
  4. 04Customs Administration (MK): Задолжителна тарифна информацијаAccessed 03.10.2026
  5. 05EXIM: single-window system for import, export and transit licences, public searchAccessed 03.10.2026
  6. 06Ministry of Finance (MK): Strategic Plan 2026 to 2028, page 102Accessed 03.10.2026
  7. 07Public Revenue Office (MK): Општи даночни стапкиAccessed 03.10.2026
  8. 08Customs Administration of Serbia: Carinska tarifa, OpšteAccessed 03.10.2026
  9. 09Customs Administration of Serbia: Uredba o usklađivanju nomenklature Carinske tarife za 2026. godinu, prečišćen tekstAccessed 03.10.2026
  10. 10Customs Administration of Serbia: Obavezujuća obaveštenjaAccessed 03.10.2026
  11. 11Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia: Carinske stope, Narodna Republika KinaAccessed 03.10.2026
  12. 12Albanian Customs: Tarifat DoganoreAccessed 03.10.2026
  13. 13Albanian Customs: NOMENKLATURA E KOMBINUAR E MALLRAVE 2026Accessed 03.10.2026
  14. 14Albanian Customs: Informacioni i Detyrueshëm Tarifor (IDT)Accessed 03.10.2026
  15. 15Kosovo Customs: Tariff 2026 downloadsAccessed 03.10.2026
  16. 16Albanian Customs: Regjistrimi i NIPT-itAccessed 03.10.2026
  17. 17Kosovo Customs: Integrated Tariff of Kosovo, Version 01.01.2026Accessed 03.10.2026
  18. 18Kosovo Customs: Tarifa e Integruar e Kosovës, TARIK, and binding tariff informationAccessed 03.10.2026
  19. 19Montenegro Customs Administration: Carinska tarifaAccessed 03.10.2026
  20. 20Montenegro Customs Administration: TARICG, Integrisana carinska tarifaAccessed 03.10.2026
  21. 21Government of Montenegro: Uredba o Carinskoj tarifi za 2026. godinuAccessed 03.10.2026
  22. 22Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH: Carinska tarifaAccessed 03.10.2026
  23. 23Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH: Carinska tarifa (Odluka za 2026, Službeni glasnik BiH 80/25)Accessed 03.10.2026
  24. 24Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH: Pretraga tarifaAccessed 03.10.2026
  25. 25Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH: Zakon o carinskoj politici u Bosni i HercegoviniAccessed 03.10.2026