Docs & HS Codes

Ship clean paperwork and classify correctly the first time.
This hub shows exactly which documents you’ll need, when they’re due, and how to choose and record the right HS code for each SKU—so brokers clear you quickly and audits are painless.

What’s included (use this as your operating playbook)

Documents you’ll need (typical)

• Commercial Invoice (CI) — currency, Incoterm, HS codes, country of origin, values.
  
• Packing List (PL) — carton counts, L×W×H, GW/NW, per-SKU units, CBM.
  
• Bill of Lading / Air Waybill — issued by carrier/forwarder.
  
• Certificate of Origin (if required).
  
• Insurance Certificate — ICC(A) recommended.
  
• Compliance Pack — test reports, DoC/COC/COI, SDS, FSC/GOTS (if claimed), ISPM-15 pallet proof.
  
• Importer IDs — EORI/EIN/ABN etc. + broker pre-alert at least 72h before ETA.
  
• Any retailer/marketplace forms (Amazon, big-box gatekeepers).
  

HS code—how to classify (repeatable workflow)

• Material → Function → Form: identify the base chapter by material, confirm with the product’s function, then refine by form/presentation (set/single/parts).
  
• Read legal notes first: section/chapter notes decide many outcomes.
  
• Apply GRIs: GRI 1 for heading terms; GRI 2 for incomplete/sets; GRI 3 for essential character; GRI 6 for subheadings.
  
• Compare candidates: record why each candidate code fits or fails.
  
• Map to destination: HS6 stays constant but national extensions differ (US HTS10, EU CN8, UK commodity, CA/AU codes).
  
• Evidence: store photos, spec/BOM %, process notes, test reports, and the final logic in a classification log.
  
• When in doubt: request a binding ruling (where available) and attach the reference.
  

Cluster hints (starting points):
Brass/steel table & kitchenware → Chapters 73–74; Wood/furniture/decor → 44/94; Home textiles → 63; Ceramics → 69; Glass → 70; Paper/packaging → 48/49.

Deliverables you get

• Docs master checklist with owners, due stage, and file links.
  
• Commercial Invoice template with auto line totals.
  
• Packing List template with auto CBM and totals.
  
• HS classification log (SKU→HS6 + country codes) with fields for GRIs, notes, and sources.
  
• Rules & guidance page (GRIs cheat sheet, evidence list).
  
• Duty & tax calculator (CIF→duty→VAT/GST→landed & per-unit).
  
• Country ID tracker (EORI/EIN/ABN + broker details).
  
• COO/preference tracker for any FTA claims.
  
• Docs timeline and change log for audit trails.
  

Download the working toolkit (Excel)

IndiaUnbox_Docs_HS_Codes_Toolkit.xlsx
Tabs included:

• Docs_Master_Checklist
  
• Commercial_Invoice_Tpl (line amount auto)
  
• Packing_List_Tpl (CBM & totals auto)
  
• HS_Classification_Log
  
• HS_Rules_Guidance
  
• Duty_Tax_Calculator (landed & per-unit auto)
  
• Country_IDs_Tracker
  
• COO_Preference_Tracker
  
• Docs_Timeline
  
• Change_Log