diff --git a/drafthorse/models/elements.py b/drafthorse/models/elements.py
index 31a0e3d..b6e8782 100644
--- a/drafthorse/models/elements.py
+++ b/drafthorse/models/elements.py
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ def to_etree(self):
         return node
 
     def from_etree(self, root, strict=True):
-        self._text = Decimal(root.text)
+        self._text = root.text
         self._list_id = root.attrib["listID"]
         self._list_version_id = root.attrib["listVersionID"]
         self._set_on_input = True
diff --git a/tests/test_classification.py b/tests/test_classification.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b3928ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_classification.py
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
+
+from drafthorse.models.product import ProductClassification
+
+NS = "urn:un:unece:uncefact:data:standard:ReusableAggregateBusinessInformationEntity:100"
+
+
+def _parse(code, list_id, version):
+    xml = (
+        f'<ram:DesignatedProductClassification xmlns:ram="{NS}">'
+        f'<ram:ClassCode listID="{list_id}" listVersionID="{version}">{code}</ram:ClassCode>'
+        "</ram:DesignatedProductClassification>"
+    )
+    return ProductClassification().from_etree(ET.fromstring(xml))
+
+
+def test_class_code_keeps_the_original_text():
+    horses = _parse("010121", "HS", "2022")
+    assert str(horses.class_code) == "010121 (HS 2022)"
+
+    service = _parse("SRV", "ZZZ", "1")
+    assert str(service.class_code) == "SRV (ZZZ 1)"