CN Code (Combined Nomenclature)

A CN code (Combined Nomenclature) is the 8-digit product classification used in the European Union for customs duties and trade statistics. The first 6 digits are always identical to the international HS code maintained by the World Customs Organization; the EU adds 2 more digits to set its own duty rates and statistical breakdowns.

For an actual import declaration into the EU, declarants use the 10-digit TARIC code, which extends CN with two additional digits to encode EU-wide measures: anti-dumping duties, tariff suspensions, quota orders, surveillance, and prohibitions. CN sets the rate; TARIC layers the conditions.

Example: 8517.12 is the 6-digit HS for cellular telephones. 8517.12.00 is the 8-digit CN code. 8517.12.00.00 is the 10-digit TARIC code used at the border.

CN vs HTS vs UK commodity code. All three are national extensions of the 6-digit HS. The EU uses 8-digit CN (10 with TARIC). The US uses 10-digit HTS. The UK uses 10-digit commodity codes published in the UK Trade Tariff. The first 6 digits are interchangeable across all three; everything after is jurisdiction-specific and does not transfer.

The CN is republished every January in the EU Official Journal. New product groups, sustainability categories, and statistical splits are added each year — always verify the current CN before filing an export declaration or EU Intrastat return.