What is the role of HS codes in the scope of an investigation?

• A. HS codes help define the products under scrutiny.
• B. HS codes determine the final tariff rates.
• C. HS codes are used only for export statistics.
• D. HS codes are irrelevant.

Answer: (A)

HS codes provide a standardized way to identify goods, and in an investigation they define exactly which products are being studied. By linking each item to its HS code, investigators delimit the scope so that data collection, sampling, and analysis stay focused on the intended products and avoid including irrelevant goods. This classification also helps ensure consistency when pulling information from customs records, industry data, and respondent submissions, making the assessment comparable across sources. While HS codes relate to how products are categorized internationally, they don’t determine the final tariff rates themselves; their primary role here is to map the investigation’s boundaries to the correct goods.