About PoliteDraft

Why I Built PoliteDraft

I started PoliteDraft because every time I needed to look up an HTS code, I found myself scrolling through a 35,536-row USITC table trying to match the right 8-digit suffix to a duty rate. That's not a workflow — that's a time sink. PoliteDraft takes that raw USITC data and turns it into pages you can actually use: one 6-digit subheading per page, all the 8- and 10-digit suffixes listed out with their General, Special, and Column 2 rates, sortable and searchable.

What You'll Find Here

The US Harmonized Tariff Schedule has over 35,000 tariff lines across 5,754 six-digit subheadings. PoliteDraft organizes all of them. Each subheading page shows every subclassification in a single table, with a duty estimator and trade compliance notes where applicable. No accounts, no paywalls — just the data you came for.

Where the Data Comes From

Every HTS code and duty rate on PoliteDraft is sourced from:

• USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (2026 Revision 9) — the official source for US import tariff data, containing 35,536 rows of 8/10-digit HTS codes
• CBP binding rulings — published Customs and Border Protection classification decisions
• Federal Register — Section 301 tariff actions and USTR exclusion notices
• USMCA and FTA rules of origin — official trade agreement texts

Our data engine collapses the 35,536-row USITC database into 5,754 six-digit subheading pages. Each page displays all 8/10-digit subclassifications with General, Special (FTA), and Column 2 duty rates. Data is attributed to USITC with processing dates on every page.

How We Keep It Accurate

Every page goes through a review process:

1. Data parsing — We parse the official USITC HTS CSV, clean it, and aggregate 8/10-digit codes to their 6-digit parent subheadings
2. Cross-referencing — Parsed data gets checked against the USITC source files and CBP ruling databases
3. Compliance review — Chapter-specific trade notes, Section 301 applicability, and FTA eligibility get reviewed for accuracy
4. Updates — We track Federal Register tariff actions, USTR exclusion notices, and CBP ruling updates so the data reflects what's current

The Team

PoliteDraft is built by trade compliance writers, international trade researchers, and trade data analysts. We are not a customs brokerage — we research and organize tariff data so it's easier to find what you need.

Disclaimer

This is not customs or legal advice. HTS classifications must be verified against the current Harmonized Tariff Schedule and the specific characteristics of your product. Always consult a licensed customs broker or trade attorney for classification decisions affecting your imports. CBP binding ruling requests can be filed electronically via the CBP eRulings system.