Understanding Customs Rules: What is the HS code for dead humans?

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

While many commercial products are assigned a Harmonized System (HS) code for international trade, official customs rulings confirm that human remains for burial are often not classified as ordinary goods. The question, "What is the HS code for dead humans?" therefore has a nuanced and serious answer tied to specific regulatory exemptions and health protocols.

Quick Summary

Official customs policy states that human remains for burial are not classified as normal trade goods and thus are not assigned an HS code. The correct procedures involve specific health regulations, documentation, and depend on the purpose of transport, such as for anatomical study versus burial.

Key Points

No Standard HS Code: Human remains for burial are generally exempt from standard Harmonized System (HS) code classification by customs, as they are not considered commercial goods.
Health and Safety are Primary: The international transport of a body is governed by strict public health regulations, not commercial trade codes, focusing on proper embalming, containment, and disease prevention.
Anatomical Specimens have Codes: Different from full remains, anatomical specimens for medical or scientific purposes are assigned specific HS codes, such as 9705.2100.
Extensive Documentation is Required: Transporting a body or cremated remains internationally demands specific paperwork, including death certificates, embalming confirmations, and consular permits.
Cremated Remains have Separate Procedures: While easier to transport, cremated remains require compliance with specific postal and airline regulations, including using designated shipping materials and verifying destination country acceptance.
Professional Coordination is Necessary: Due to the sensitive and complex nature, coordinating with a licensed funeral home, embassies, and consulates is essential for legal and respectful international transport.

What is the Harmonized System (HS) Code?

The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized numerical system for classifying traded products. Developed and maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the system is used by over 200 countries to uniformly identify and classify products. This six-digit code forms the basis for customs declarations, tariff calculations, and trade statistics worldwide. However, the Harmonized System is intended for "goods handled in international trade," and its application to human remains is a complex issue.

The Legal Distinction: Exemptions, Not Codes

The direct answer to "What is the HS code for dead humans?" is that there isn't one for human remains imported or exported for the purpose of burial or interment. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rulings have established that cadavers are not considered commercial "goods" or "articles of trade" under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). They are therefore exempt from entry requirements and tariff classification.

This exemption is based on the long-standing practice and legal precedent that human remains, particularly for burial and preservation, are treated with special consideration. This prevents the remains from being subject to the same processes and duties as commercial cargo. The focus shifts from commercial classification to strict health and safety regulations, as well as complex legal and diplomatic procedures.

Varied Classification for Human Specimens and Tissues

While a full human body intended for burial is exempt from standard HS classification, other human-derived materials used for medical or scientific purposes are handled differently. These are considered specimens or organotherapeutic substances and are assigned specific HS codes. It is crucial to distinguish the purpose of the material to ensure correct customs procedures.

For example, HS 9705.21 or HS 9705.2100 refers to "Human specimens and parts thereof" when they are imported as collections or collectors' pieces of anatomical interest. These are subject to entry requirements. Similarly, other biological materials have their own classifications:

HS 3001: Includes dried glands and other organs for organotherapeutic uses.
HS 3002: Covers blood, blood components, and cell lines for research and therapeutic use.
HS 3821: Relates to prepared culture media for developing cells.

The Complexities of International Transport

Beyond the customs code, the international transport of human remains is a highly regulated and sensitive process. It is governed by a combination of international agreements, national laws, and health regulations. Airlines, funeral homes, and diplomatic entities must coordinate closely to ensure a smooth and respectful process.

Required Documentation To transport a deceased person internationally, a specific set of documents is typically required:

Official Death Certificate: Provided by local authorities in the country where the death occurred.
Embalming or Cremation Certificate: Confirms proper preparation of the remains according to international standards.
Transit Permit/Burial Permit: Issued by local health authorities.
Consular Clearance: A clearance from the consulate or embassy of the destination country, granting permission for the remains to enter.
Deceased's Passport: May be required for official identity confirmation.

Health and Safety Regulations For public health protection, strict regulations exist, especially regarding communicable diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US, for instance, requires specific handling for remains from deaths caused by quarantinable communicable diseases. Non-embalmed remains must be accompanied by an importer certification statement confirming no infectious agent is present. The remains must be contained in a leak-proof container packaged in accordance with all applicable legal requirements.

Transporting Cremated Remains Cremated remains are generally easier to transport but still require careful planning and documentation. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the only legal carrier for shipping cremated remains internationally from the US, using Priority Mail Express International service. A specific customs form is required, and destination country regulations must be verified. For air travel, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires that cremation containers be scannable by x-ray, which means certain materials like metal are not suitable.

Comparison of Transport Procedures


Aspect	Transporting Human Remains (for Burial)	Transporting Human Anatomical Specimens
Customs Classification (HS Code)	Exempt from standard HS classification; considered non-goods.	Classified under specific HS codes, like 9705.2100 for anatomical interest.
Purpose of Shipment	Burial, interment, or repatriation.	Medical study, education, or scientific research.
Key Regulations	Public health laws, international transit permits, consular approval.	Trade regulations, specific HS code compliance, CITES (for endangered species parts).
Required Documentation	Death certificate, embalming certificate, transit permits, consular documents.	Standard customs forms, commercial invoice, proper HS code declaration.
Handling & Packaging	Strict embalming protocols, leak-proof caskets, hermetically sealed containers.	Secure containers, proper labeling, often temperature-controlled for preservation.
Involved Parties	Funeral homes, embassies, consulates, international carriers.	Shippers, researchers, educational institutions, customs brokers.

Conclusion

In summary, the notion of a standard HS code for a deceased human is a misconception rooted in the commercial nature of the classification system. Customs authorities, like the CBP, treat human remains intended for burial as non-commercial exemptions, deferring to specific health and safety protocols for international transport. For different purposes, such as medical and anatomical study, specific HS codes are indeed applied to specimens and related biological materials. Navigating the international transport of human remains requires specialized expertise and careful coordination with funeral directors, government agencies, and embassies to ensure all legal and health requirements are met respectfully and securely. The process highlights the critical distinction between commercial goods and matters of public health and human dignity.

Optional Outbound Link

For detailed information on the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and customs rulings, visit the official website for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at CBP.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, there is generally no specific HS code for human remains intended for burial. Customs authorities often consider them exempt from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which is for commercial goods.

Customs typically handles human remains by enforcing public health regulations and verifying all necessary documentation, such as death and embalming certificates, rather than applying a commercial HS code.

Human specimens and parts intended for medical or anatomical purposes can be classified under specific HS codes, such as HS 9705.2100, which covers 'Human specimens and parts thereof, as collections or collectorsí pieces of anatomical interest'.

Required documents typically include an official death certificate, an embalming certificate, a transit or burial permit, and consular clearance from the destination country.

Internationally shipping cremated remains requires using designated mail services, like USPS Priority Mail Express International, and verifying that the destination country permits entry. Proper customs forms must be completed, and the container must be security-friendly for air travel.

Yes, if the death was due to a communicable disease, strict health regulations apply. This may require an import permit from health authorities like the CDC and specific containment measures to prevent public health risks.

You should work with a licensed funeral director who specializes in international transport. They will coordinate with embassies, consulates, and airlines to ensure all regulations are met.