TSIC codes and HS codes are often confused because both are code systems used in business workflows. But they answer different questions. TSIC classifies the business activity. HS classifies the product. If a company mixes services, manufacturing, imports and trading, both code systems may matter at the same time.
What TSIC does
TSIC is an activity classification system. It helps describe what the business actually does as an economic activity. It is relevant to registration, business profiling, internal reporting and some compliance routing.
What HS does
HS and customs is a product classification layer. It helps describe what goods are being imported or exported. It is used for tariff, customs, trade and product-control workflows.
Why teams confuse them
A manufacturing or trading business often deals with both at the same time. For example, a company can operate under one TSIC activity but import many products under different HS codes. A restaurant may have one TSIC code but import equipment, ingredients and packaging under multiple HS categories.
The practical distinction
Use TSIC when the question is:
- what business activity is this company carrying on?
- what code should support registration or activity profiling?
- what tax, licence or foreign-ownership route should we review first?
Use HS when the question is:
- what product is crossing the border?
- what tariff or customs rule may apply?
- what product-level restriction or standard needs to be checked?
Why the portal links both
The most useful workflows combine both layers. A hotel can use TSIC to define its service activity and HS to review imported furniture or kitchen equipment. A repair business can use TSIC for activity scope and HS for spare parts. A manufacturer can use TSIC for plant activity and HS for imported inputs and exported outputs.
Final rule
TSIC is for business activity. HS is for goods. When a business handles both activity and products, use them together rather than trying to force one code system to answer both questions.