Avoid Uncertainty with Our Comprehensive Goods Classification Services
Get expert advice with CGS’s comprehensive knowledge of the customs tariff, Harmonised System (HS) codes, and trade deals. We guide you through the classification process, helping you to avoid fines with the correct goods classification and unlock the available savings.
4M+
Declarations per year
20M+
Declaration lines per year
1700+
Customs experts
100+
Offices
How We Can Help With Classification Of Your Goods
Minimised Risk
Enhanced compliance verification and binding tariff information help you to reduce penalties, fines, and non-compliance.
Tariff Classification
Ensure accurate and compliant classification of goods, including the correct tariff rates, in accordance with the latest and ever-evolving customs regulations.
Specialist Guidance
Get answers to all your questions and concerns with CSG’s knowledgeable and experienced classification experts.
Digital Efficiency
Reduce your costs, simplify your processes, and be confident in your compliance with our customs and trade solutions.
Pan-European Customs Knowledge
Correctly follow regulations across Europe with our teams’ comprehensive understanding of cross-border classification.
Unbiased, Professional Advice
Maximise your efficiency and potential savings with tailored guidance that meets your business’ needs.
Insights on Regulatory Changes
Stay updated on the latest classification rules. Here at CSG, we keep you informed so your business stays compliant.
Trade Globally With Our Goods Classification Experts
Unlock trade opportunities around the world with our classification mapping. Although many countries use the root 6-digit HS codes, each country has its own variations, regulations, and tax considerations – and CSG can help you with all of them.
You can rely on our goods classification specialists for help with understanding your obligations for:
- Duties
- Import and Export Regulations
- Documentation
- Licence and Trade Policies
- Security Measures

- Expect and pay the correct taxes

- Protect your organisation from legal issues

- Comply with labelling and other paperwork requirements

- Avoid risks of sanctions and circumvention

- Remain compliant with security protocols
Classify smart. Trade better. Save more.

Customs Classification
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Goods classification refers to assigning the right commodity code for your item. Many countries rely on the Harmonised System (HS) as a base, which uses a six-digit HS code as a classification, but there are others.
Countries using the HS code often extend them, such as the Combined Nomenclature (CN) in the EU, and can use different lengths for different circumstances.
For example. the six-digit HS code could be used for an export declaration, but the same item may use a 10-digit code when being imported.
Additional digits may be used for varieties of the same item, such as alcohol or sugar percentages for the same type of beverages.
Your goods classification is important because it outlines your tax, reporting, and other legal obligations for the product. It also dictates which preferential trade agreements or special procedures you can benefit from.
Misclassification can lead to penalties, delays, or legal issues, making it crucial for you to have accurate goods classification.
The Customs Support Group provides goods classification services throughout Europe and beyond, helping you to understand your obligations around the globe.
Contact us to find out more.
Misclassifying goods can result in underpayment or overpayment of duties, delays at the border, penalties, or even seizure of goods.
For your business, this can mean financial losses, disrupted supply chains, and reputational damage. Additionally, a misclassification can lead to legal liabilities if it results in non-compliance with import/export regulations or trade restrictions.
If the misclassification has been consistent for a long period of time, such as over a few years, an unexpected demand for underpaid duty can be a severe financial hit. It can also cause financial issues if you are contracted to provide goods to your customer for a period of time and it is now less viable because of increased tax.
For these reasons, it can be best to seek Binding Tariff Information (BTI) – also called Advanced Tariff Ruling (ATaR) in the UK – as this is legal confirmation of your goods classification which will protect your trade from misclassification claims.
The Customs Support Group provides goods classification throughout Europe and beyond, helping businesses like yours understand their obligations and safeguard themselves from unexpected costs.
Contact us to get started.
A product should only have one commodity code, and it is clear in many cases which code it should be. However, different varieties of the same product or different intended uses can cause interpretation errors when deciding which commodity code is correct.
When there are many possibilities, it is important to document the reasoning for a code being chosen in case of an audit. This is because the same item may attract different tax rates or other obligations with the changing of its classification.
Binding Tariff Information (BTI) is a useful tool for confirming your commodity code. It means that the classification of your goods has been signed off by the authorities, protecting you from penalties later.
The Customs Support Group provides help with goods classification throughout Europe.
Get in touch for more information.
Yes, customs authorities have the right to challenge a goods classification and can determine that it is incorrect. This can lead to penalties, a demand for underpaid duties, or additional audits of your processes if it is viewed as willful misclassification.
Obtaining Binding Tariff Information (BTI) can protect your organisation from claims of misclassification, and provide peace of mind that your duty payments are correct.
Customs Support Group provides goods classification throughout Europe and beyond. Our experts will help you to make a decision on your commodity codes, and assist you with obtaining BTI if it is recommended. Contact us today to get started on yours.
Discover Our Full
Service Portfolio
Import / Export / Transit Declaration Services
- Preparation, Validation and Submission of Import, Export and Transit Documentation
- Validation of Import Goods Harmonised System (HS) Codes
- Coordination of Physical Inspections
- Management of Phytosanitary Certification Requests
- Handling of Excise Declarations
- Facilitation of Other Specialised Declarations (ATA, Carnet, etc.)
Trade Accreditation & Customs Support
- Licence, Certification & Authorisation Support:
- Import/Export Licence
- AEO Certificate (Authorised Economic Operator)
- IPR/OPR Licence (Inward / Outward Processing Relief)
- Bonded Warehouse Licence
- Excise Warehouse Licence
- Consignee Status Authorisation
- Simplified Procedure Authorisation
- Temporary Admission Authorisation
- End-Use Relief Authorisation
- Deferment Account Application
- Customs Guarantee Optimisation
- Fiscal Representation
Duty Management
- Goods Classification (HS-Code) & Provision of Binding Tariff Information (BTI)
- Defining Product Origin & Value (BOI, CVA)
- Duty Management & Optimisation
- Simplified Declaration Procedures
- Facilitating Customs Bonded Warehouses
- Duty Relief Provision (Inward/Outward Processing Relief)
- Duty Amendment & Dispute Process Support
- Excise Duty Management
- Duty & VAT Advisory
- Operating Deferment Accounts
Compliance & Reporting
- Legislation & Trade Impact Updates
- Compliance Insight & Advisory
- Environmental and ESG Compliance
- Legislative Reporting
- CBAM
- Deforestation (EUDR)
- Export Control & Dual Use Compliance
- Sanctions & Embargo Compliance
- Data Insight Reporting:
- Duties & Taxes Data Reporting
- Track & Trace Customs Status Events
- Risk & Non-Release Data
- Tailor-Made Data Reports
- Intrastat Reporting
Customs Centre Of Excellence
- Tailor-Made Customs Solution Design
- Training & Education
- Customs Assessment Quick Scan
- Consulting
- Customs Authorities Audit Support
Customs-as-a-Service
- Full or Partial Outsourcing of Customs Activities
- On-site or Off-site Support
- White Label Solutions
- Peak Season Support
- Interim Management
- Centralised Service across Europe
- Management of Third-Party Customs Brokers