Select Correct Codes

Access more contract opportunities, grants, investment

Applicants for federal grants and contracts are classified by NAICS codes. Companies and other entities that operate in the "blue economy" often find it difficult to choose the correct NAICS code. Code selection affects how economic information is organized in market reports. It may allow or preclude access to opportunities for grants or contracts.

For many entities, especially those in the marine technology industry, more than one NAICS code would be equally accurate, or at least equally sufficient in describing the firm's activity. However, the choice of one equally sufficient NAICS code over another might actually preclude the applicant from ever being considered for the grant or contract. The table below includes resources that can assist in understanding which codes and systems are in play so that the ramifications of correct code selection are understood.

Unique entity registration		Classification of entity's:				Resources
First	Next	Industry		Products
DUNS number	NCAGE number (relevant only to NATO)	NAICS	-Helps identify blue economy industry -Industry quantification flags investors. See, e.g. BLS listing of number of employees and wages paid by NAICS code and county -Misclassification may preclude qualifying for certain RFPs Help if NAICS codes do not fit your activity: -SBA Procurement Center Rep for your region -naics@census.gov	NAPCS	Used to compare NAICS industry to product	USITC commodity translation wizard
	SAM.gov registration for all federal grants & contracts If NAICS codes in your SAM profile are not accurate change them			HS	Used to determine tariff rates, certificates of orgin, trade statistics (see slides on how HS is used)	Census code finder and guide/example
						USITC e-learning guide
						Review past classification rulings by CBP for products difficult to classify (see also guide/example)
					Classification principles and rules	WCO - Principles - Census trade resource - Examples - Rules of interpretation - Case study (underwater camera)

BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor CBP: Customs and Border Patrol, a bureau within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Census: U.S. Census Bureau, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service, part of ITA's Global Markets unit, has 106 offices nationwide and in 77 markets abroad DUNS: Data Universal Numbering System maintained by Dun & Bradstreet HS: Harmonized System, used by most countries to classify exports and imports ITA: International Trade Administration, a bureau in the U.S. Department of Commerce MDCP: Market Development Cooperator Program, an ITA program that enhances U.S. industry competitiveness NACE: A code system similar to NAICS but used in the European Union. NACE is derived from the French nomenclature statistique des activités économiques dans la Communauté européenne. Various NACE versions have been developed since 1970. NAICS: North American Industry Classification System NAPCS: North American Product Classification System NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization NCAGE: NATO Commercial and Government Entity, applies to NATO contracts only NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a bureau in the U.S. Department of Commerce RFP/RFT: Request for proposal, request for tender SAM: System for Award Management, the federal portal for grants and contracts administered by the General Services Administration SBA: Small Business Administration, a federal government agency USITC: U.S. International Trade Commission WCO: World Customs Organization

export.gov/SelectCorrectCodes at BlueTech Week

On November 7-8, 2018, a team from BLS, ITA, NOAA, and the U.S. Navy will be on hand in San Diego during BlueTech Week to answer questions about how to select the most accurate industry classification code.

For email inquiries, include "select correct codes" in the subject line of a message to Ann.Ngo@trade.gov.

Why does ITA encourage correct industry code selection?

ITA helps U.S. firms compete in the global economy by identifying and reducing trade barriers and helping companies to export. Marine technology describes a burgeoning industry where innovation and investment are creating great economic opportunity. Accurate specification of what economic activity to include will help to identify the industry, gauge its impact, and direct investment where it can have the most positive impact.

The Maritime Alliance (TMA), host of BlueTech Week, has an MDCP cooperative agreement with ITA to support TMA's efforts to better define the industry and help U.S. firms to compete in the global economy. The Marine Technology Team, led by ITA's Commercial Service, plays a key role in ITA's support of TMA's MDCP project work and in promoting the industry.

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Send suggestions for improving this page to Brad.Hess@trade.gov