On 10 October 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) announced that the 76th session of the Harmonized System Committee (HSC) had concluded with remarkable achievements and continued progress in ensuring the consistent interpretation and application of the HS.
Held from 17 to 26 September for discussions and on 03 October for the reading of the report, the session brought together 74 members, representing 73 countries and the European Union (EU), under the chairmanship of the United States of America (US).
In his opening remarks, the chairperson warmly welcomed El Salvador and Jamaica, which had recently become new contracting parties to the HS Convention. He underlined the vital role of the HSC in providing clear and consistent guidance that supported administrations and stakeholders in the correct and uniform application of the HS.
The HSC produced outstanding results over the two-week session, demonstrating strong engagement and collaboration among members. The agenda included the following achievements:
- Examination of 71 agenda items.
- 40 classification decisions.
- Two amendments to the HS2022 Explanatory Notes (EN).
- Creation of 21 new classification opinions and deletion of two existing classification opinions.
In addition, the HSC initiated discussions on the development of the Correlation Tables between the HS2028 and HS2022 editions and adopted an improved format of the tables presenting the correlation between the HS2022 and 2028 editions, with the aim of enhancing clarity and usability. These tables will serve as an essential reference tool for the effective implementation of the HS2028 amendments.
The session also included the election of a new chairperson for the subsequent two sessions. Indonesia was elected chairperson for the 77th and 78th sessions of the HSC.
The delegations and the WCO Secretariat expressed their sincere appreciation to the US for its outstanding leadership and dedication during its tenure as chairperson, covering the 73rd to 76th sessions.
The next (77th) session of the HSC is scheduled to be held in March 2026 at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.