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Why does the commodity description for some HS codes differ slightly from the official WCO version?

2 min read

Question:
I’ve noticed that in the UN Comtrade database, the commodity description for HS code 8525.82 includes a semicolon, whereas the official Harmonized System (HS) as published by the World Customs Organization (WCO) uses a colon. This minor punctuation difference appears to change the meaning of the description. Could this affect the interpretation of trade data?

Answer:
Thank you for your observation. This is an excellent and important question regarding how commodity descriptions are presented in UN Comtrade.

📌 Simplified Descriptions for Display Purposes #

The commodity descriptions in UN Comtrade are simplified single-line versions, primarily for easier display and readability within our interface. These descriptions are not meant to fully reproduce the official text found in the WCO Harmonized System or its explanatory notes.

For example, the UN Comtrade description for HS code 8525.82 is:

“Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders; radiation-hardened or radiation-tolerant goods as specified in subheading note 2 to this chapter”

However, the official WCO HS publication reads:

“Other, radiation-hardened or radiation-tolerant goods as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter”

The presence of a semicolon in the simplified description is not intended to alter the classification meaning. Still, we understand that punctuation can impact interpretation, especially when analyzing trade data at a granular level.

📘 Refer to Official WCO Publications for Precise Definitions #

To ensure accuracy—particularly when using data for legal, policy, or technical analysis—we recommend consulting the official WCO Harmonized System publications and their Explanatory Notes. These resources provide the definitive structure and wording of HS codes and are essential references for detailed classification work.

⚠️ Applies to Other Classifications as Well #

This note also applies to other classification systems available in Comtrade, such as:

  • SITC (Standard International Trade Classification)
  • BEC (Broad Economic Categories)

Descriptions may be condensed for interface purposes and should be cross-referenced with the official classification documentation when needed.