The World Customs Organization amended the Harmonized System (HS) Code structure, which is used worldwide for the uniform classification of goods traded internationally. The HS serves as the basis for Customs tariffs and for the compilation of international trade statistics in 211 economies. Although the HS is not an exhaustive list of products, it is an extensive product nomenclature comprised of more than 5,000 commodity groups, ranging from non-manufactured goods, such as animal, vegetable, and mineral products, to manufactured and other highly processed goods.

The new HS 2022 edition includes major changes to the Harmonized System with a total of 351 sets of amendments covering a wide range of goods. Key factors driving the amendments include:

• Advances in technology;

• New product streams;

• Changing trade patterns;

• Environmental considerations;

• Health and safety considerations;

• The fight against terrorism; and

• Facilitating implementation of various international Conventions.

HS 2022 is the seventh edition of the HS and entered into force on January 1, 2022. Notably, on December 23, 2021, President Biden issued a proclamation to modify the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to conform to the amendments made to the HS. Similarly, the Canadian government has stated that their import requirements must mirror the HS amendments.