How to Find Importers by Using HS Code: Step-by-Step Guide

Updated: October 24, 2025 | Writer: TurkExim | Page ID: HS-IMPORTERS-2025

The Harmonized System (HS) code is the single most powerful search key for finding importers in international trade. Every cross-border shipment is tagged with a 6 to 12 digit HS code that classifies the product, and every bill of lading (B/L) record in the TurkExim database is indexed by that code. By searching with the right HS code, you can surface every importer active in any product category, in any country, within the last 24 months. This guide walks through the complete workflow from HS code definition to importer outreach, with a real-world sample B/L record and a strategic use case matrix.

1. What Is an HS Code and Why It Matters for Importer Search

An HS code (Harmonized System code) is a globally standardized 6-digit product classification system developed and maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO). As of 2025, HS codes are used by 200+ countries and cover more than 98 percent of global merchandise trade. Every cross-border shipment, regardless of origin or destination country, is tagged with an HS code at the moment of customs filing. This universal tagging makes HS codes the single most powerful search key for finding importers in any product category.

The reason HS codes matter so much for importer search is simple: every bill of lading (B/L) record in the world's commercial shipping databases is indexed by HS code. When you query the TurkExim B/L database with HS code 85076000 (lithium-ion accumulators), the system returns every shipment record in the last 24 months that carried that code. Each record contains the importer name, the supplier name, the value, the weight, the port pair, the carrier, and the shipment date. This means one search can surface hundreds or thousands of active importer accounts in a single product category.

The HS code system has been revised seven times since its introduction in 1988. The current version, HS 2022, is the seventh revision and is effective from January 1, 2022. The next revision, HS 2027, is already in preparation. Each revision typically adds new codes for emerging product categories (such as drones, electric vehicle batteries, and smart devices) and removes obsolete codes. Understanding the latest HS code is essential for accurate importer search results.

2. HS Code Structure: 6-Digit International + National Extension

The HS code is structured hierarchically in 21 sections, each covering a broad product family. Below the section level, the 6-digit international code is identical in every WCO member country, which means HS 0808.10 (fresh apples) means the same product in Turkey, the United States, China, Germany, and Brazil. National customs authorities then extend the 6-digit HS code with additional digits to capture national tariff and statistical detail.

HS Code Hierarchy Table

In Turkey, the 12-digit national code is called GTIP (Gumruk Tarife Pozisyonu, Customs Tariff Position). The first 6 digits of GTIP are identical to the international HS code, digits 7-8 are aligned with the EU Combined Nomenclature (CN), digits 9-10 are Turkey's national subheadings, and digits 11-12 are statistical codes. In the United States, the 10-digit code is called HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule). In the European Union, the 8-digit code is called CN (Combined Nomenclature). In China, the 10-digit code is called the China Customs Tariff Code.

3. Step-by-Step: How to Find Importers by HS Code

The importer discovery workflow below takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes for a single product category and yields a CRM-ready list of 50 to 300 active importer accounts with verified shipment history. The workflow applies to any HS code in any country covered by the TurkExim B/L database (195 origin countries, all Turkish customs ports, and select international ports).

Step 1 - Define Your Target HS Code

The first step is to identify the 6-digit (or national 8 to 12 digit) HS code that best matches your product. If you sell electric vehicle batteries, the target is HS 850760 (lithium-ion accumulators). If you sell cotton t-shirts, the target is HS 6109 (t-shirts, singlets and other vests, knitted). If you sell fresh apples, the target is HS 0808.10. Use the WCO HS database or your national customs tariff schedule to find the correct code.

For more granular searches, use the national 8-digit or 12-digit extension. For example, HS 6109.10 specifically captures cotton t-shirts, while HS 6109.90 captures t-shirts made from other textile materials. If your product is cotton t-shirts, searching 6109.10 yields more targeted results than searching 6109, which would include both cotton and synthetic variants.

Step 2 - Query the TurkExim Bill of Lading Database

Once you have your HS code, enter it in the TurkExim search engine at ithalatihracat.biz. The search returns every shipment record matching that HS code over the past 24 months. For HS 850760 (lithium-ion batteries), the database returns approximately 4,200 shipment records per quarter. For HS 6109.10 (cotton t-shirts), the database returns approximately 8,500 shipment records per quarter. Each record contains the importer name, the supplier name, the value, the weight, the port pair, the carrier, and the shipment date.

Step 3 - Apply Filters (Date, Origin Country, Port)

Refine the result set by applying three filter dimensions. Date range: focus on the most recent 6 months for active importer accounts. Origin country: if you want to identify Turkish importers of Chinese lithium-ion batteries, filter origin country to China. Port of discharge: Istanbul Ambarli captures roughly 47 percent of Turkish container traffic, Mersin captures 18 percent, Izmir captures 12 percent. After filtering, the result set typically narrows to between 200 and 500 shipment records per product category, which is manageable for manual review.

Step 4 - Group by Consignee and Rank by Activity

Each shipment record contains a consignee field, which is the legal entity that took delivery of the cargo. Group the results by consignee name and count the number of shipments per importer. Importers with five or more shipments in the last six months are typically serious buyers with established supplier relationships. Extract the consignee address, which usually identifies the importer's warehouse or factory district. Rank the importer list by shipment frequency to prioritize your outreach.

Step 5 - Export, Enrich, and Integrate into CRM

Export the filtered and deduplicated consignee list as a CSV file, then import it into your CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, or Pipedrive). Enrich each record with publicly available contact information from the importer's website, the national chamber of commerce registry, or the local exporters' assembly directory. Prioritize outreach based on shipment frequency (monthly shippers first), shipment value (high-value accounts first), and supplier concentration (importers with multiple suppliers are typically more open to switching than single-source accounts).

4. Sample Bill of Lading Record (HS 85076000)

The table below shows a representative bill of lading record from the TurkExim database for HS 85076000 (lithium-ion accumulators), illustrating the 14 most analytically useful fields. This particular record captures a shipment of lithium-ion battery packs from CATL in Ningde, China to a Turkish importer in Bursa, consigned via Istanbul Ambarli port in March 2025.

Sample B/L Record - HS 85076000 (Lithium-ion Batteries)

5. Top HS Codes for Turkey Imports 2024

The Turkish import market is highly concentrated in five HS chapter categories that together account for over 60 percent of total import value. Understanding which HS chapters dominate the market helps exporters prioritize their outreach efforts and identify which supplier countries are most active in each category. The table below lists the top eight HS chapters by 2024 import value, along with the leading supplier country in each category and the year-on-year growth rate.

Top 8 Turkey Import HS Chapters 2024

6. Strategic Use Cases for B2B Trade Intelligence

Beyond the basic importer discovery workflow, HS code based B/L data supports five strategic B2B use cases that compound in value over time. Companies that integrate B/L analytics into their sales, procurement, and risk management workflows report 15 to 30 percent improvements in lead conversion, 8 to 12 percent reductions in procurement costs, and significantly faster response to supply chain disruptions.

Five Strategic Use Cases for HS Code Based B/L Data

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)