The Commodity Selection screen allows you to focus in on the merchandise you want to analyze. USA Trade Online is a full-text searchable database that uses natural-query language. Therefore, quotes around phrases and Boolean operators should not be used. In addition to typing in a word or phrase describing your desired commodity, you can enter a product’s HS code directly into the search engine. Please note that the HS nomenclature used to classify both imports and exports can be unexpected at times, typically a result of a product’s unique history. For example, the machines we have come to know as personal computers were originally classified in Chapter 84 (“Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery Etc.; Parts”). Fortunately, Census Bureau Commodity Specialists are available at 301-763-3041 to help you find the classification information you need to perform your research.

Alternately, online help related to commodity selection is available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/reference/codes/index.html, including information on converting the North American Industrial Classification System and Standard Industrial Classification codes to HS codes. You can also contact the Electronic Products Division directly at 301-763-2311 for additional support.


What is all this "HS" talk about?

The United States defines imports and exports differently at the ten-digit level. The Census Bureau administers export codes (also known as Schedule B) while the U.S. International Trade Commission administers import codes (called the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States of America). These codes are part of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System established in 1989 (commonly referred to as Harmonized System or “HS” codes) and are hierarchically arranged, from a two- to ten-digit level, increasing in detail with level. For example, let’s say you’re interested in fishing rods. As shown below, data on fishing rods is found in Chapter 95 (“Toys, Games & Sport Equipment; Parts & Accessories”). Drilling down through the four- and six-digit levels, you will eventually find specific information on fishing rods only:

Figure A: Example of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System

Navigating the Commodity Selections

Whether you're analyzing one commodity or several, there are multiple ways to get at them quickly!

As shown below, you can select commodities using the search function, by drilling down through the expandable list of HS Codes until you find what you want, or by using the various options for selecting multiple commodities. The folders to the left of the two-digit HS listing on your Commodity Selection screen are your key to more data detail, specifically the four-, six-, and ten-digit HS codes. Simply click on the folder to open or close it. The various options under selecting multiple commodities require a bit more explanation:

• Selection Method:
  1. The default selection method is "Single member" which allows you to select commodities one at a time. Open the folders to get at four-, six-, and ten-digit level of detail.
  2. To select a range of commodities, select "Range." Once "Range" is selected, check the box next to the first commodity in your range of interest before finally checking the box next to the last commodity of interest. This will automatically select all visible commodities within the specified range. Note: Commodities hidden inside folders will not be selected. You must first open the folder and then proceed as instructed in this step.
  3. To include all the commodities in a folder at once, select "Entire Folder." For example, to select all commodities in Chapter 01, "Live Animals," check the box between the folder icon and "01 Live Animals" description.
     
• HS Commodity Detail Level: Selecting any of these options automatically activates all the commodities at the specified level. For example, if you want to view all commodities on the two-digit level, check the box to the right of “2 digits” (this works for the four-, six-, and ten-digit levels as well).
  
• Select/Clear all: For data on every commodity individually, do not enter a commodity code. Instead, click the button next to “Select all.” Likewise, you can clear previous selections by clicking the button next to “Clear all.”

Figure B: Overview of Commodity Selection Screen Options

• Remember, the commodity list scrolls down. If you've opened some folders and the commodity list is too long for one page, you can click on the page down arrow toward the bottom of the screen to view the rest of the list.
• USA Trade Online automatically saves any changes you make to your commodity, country, district or port (as applicable), and measures criteria before you view the resulting table. Only the "Advanced Selection" option in the time dimension requires you to save your changes first.
• Still can't find what you're looking for? Go to Frequently Asked Questions !