anyone any exp with harmonized system codes for shipping?

[Sasja]

Does anyone know what harmonized system code for international shipping should be used for a sub 60$ digital synthesizer or how to find it. Or does it even matter that much?
We're pulling our hair out here as we're trying to ship before leaving for ccc camp... 
any advice welcome!

[chicken]

In my experience, doesn't make much of a difference whether you add the code to your customs form or not. Definitely not required for low-value, non-commercial shipping (at least from the US).

If you plan to ship to Germany, I'd be more worried about it getting stuck in customs for lack of CE compliance.

[janekm]

I just go through the search engines and pick the closest thing, which is usually not all that close but well I did my best. In your case (searching on http://hts.usitc.gov/?query=sound) the result seems to be remarkably appropriate:

9207.10.00.05   Musical instruments; parts and accessories of such articles: Musical instruments, the sound of which is produced, or must be amplified, electrically (for example, organs, guitars, accordions): Keyboard instruments, other than accordions: Music synthesizers: Valued under $100 each

(that's assuming you're talking about an audio synthesizer, rather than an RF one )

[charlespax]

If you ever have to talk to a customs person on the phone about your electronic test equipment or DIY electronics, just tell them it's a computer or computer parts. They're sitting at a computer waiting to click a button and get you through the system. Trying to explain something complex will only make things worse.

Customs: So I have a package here and we're trying to figure out what it is. We think it's a computer.
You: Oh that must be the DIY sprinkler head for my garden. It's not a computer.
Customs: Sprinkler head? So this is agricultural irrigation equipment?
You: No, it's an automated thing to spray water on my garden.
Customs: So this is automated factory equipment?
You: No, it's connects to my network, so I can control water flow.
Customs: I understand now. It's commercial networking equipment.
You: No, it just sits on the  network and does things when I click buttons.
Customs: Ah, like a computer?
You: Fine, it's a computer.
Customs: Great! We'll have it out the door today. Thank you.