Customs Duty & Tariff Estimation Services

Customs-Co provides HTS and ECCN classification consulting for US importers and exporters. We help businesses support compliance with applicable US trade and export control requirements, reduce risk, and keep global operations moving.

Accurate product classification is one of the most critical steps in international trade compliance. Our HTS/ECCN consulting helps companies navigate complex import and export requirements, reducing delays and rework and keeping global operations running smoothly.

By partnering with us, you gain a trusted compliance advisor who delivers clear HTS/ECCN guidance, well-documented recommendations, and strategic support to keep your supply chain moving without costly delays.

Why Proper Classification Matters

Every product entering or leaving the United States must be correctly classified. This classification affects duty rates, trade program eligibility, regulatory requirements, and overall compliance obligations. Errors in classification can create serious challenges, including:

Incorrect or excessive duty payments.
Delays in customs clearance and supply chain disruption.
Exposure to regulatory penalties and audits.
Export restrictions or licensing violations.
Additional holds or requirements from Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) such as the FDA, USDA, or EPA.

HTS Codes – The Foundation of Import Compliance

HTS codes are the foundation of US import compliance. They determine duty rates, define tariff treatment, and indicate whether additional regulatory requirements apply.

First six digits: Internationally standardized HS code used worldwide.
Last four digits: US-specific extensions that define duty rates, tariff treatment, and regulatory measures.
Classification rules: All codes are assigned according to the 5 General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs), the global principles that ensure consistent and accurate classification.

HTS codes help determine:

Duty rates and tariffs – including preferential or preferential/special rates (USMCA), Section 301 (China); Section 232 (steel/aluminum).
Partner Government Agency (PGA) requirements – for example, oversight from the FDA, USDA, EPA, DOT, Lacey Act (plants/wood products), or TSCA (chemicals).
Quotas or restrictions – including antidumping duties or countervailing duties (ADD/CVD).
Statistical reporting requirements – for the US Census Bureau trade data.

ECCN – Export Compliance for US Businesses

The Export Control Classification Number (ECCN), governed by the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR), is used to determine whether an export license is required. Unlike HTS codes, which address duties and tariffs, ECCNs classify items based on technical characteristics, intended end use, and destination country.

In addition to ECCNs, exporters must also use Schedule B codes for US export reporting and trade statistics. Both systems work together to ensure compliance with export regulations.

Format: An alphanumeric code that categorizes items by product group and reason for control.
Governing framework: ECCNs are managed under the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), part of the US Department of Commerce.
License requirements: Whether an item requires an export license depends on its ECCN, the destination country, the end user, and the intended end use.

Correct ECCN classification is vital for:

Customs-Co provides tailored advisory support to deliver well-supported estimates, clarify duty exposure, and support compliance with applicable US trade measures.

Coverage that matches real-world risk — we model standard duties alongside Section 301/232, and ADD/CVD exposure so you see your full duty exposure in one place.
Broker-friendly outputs — organized notes and a concise summary for your review and confirmation, which your licensed customs broker can then use during entry preparation.
Second-opinion reviews — validate supplier or broker estimates and prevent recurring overpayments.
Repeatable landed-cost templates — a practical model your team can reuse for future shipments.

Get a duty & tariff estimate based on your current data — talk to our compliance specialists today.

What Our HTS/ECCN Classification Services Include

Our classification consulting is designed to support accuracy and produce well-documented recommendations:

Review of product specifications, components, and intended use to support proper classification.
Advisory support on HTS classification recommendations for imports, including tariff classification consulting and customs duty assessment guidance.
Advisory assessment of applicable ECCN(s) for exports under the EAR, delivered through specialized export control consulting.
Evaluation of client-provided classifications for accuracy and compliance with U.S. import/export regulations.
Clear rationale with references to supporting regulatory sources, providing transparency and well-documented recommendations.
Compliance-ready summary report with classification findings for your internal records and audit preparation.
Guidance on Binding Rulings – For clients seeking long-term certainty, we provide advisory support on preparing requests to the US Customs Binding Ruling for a product classification.

Learn more about our Binding Ruling Preparation & Submission Support.

Why Businesses Work with Us

Choosing our customs compliance consultancy services offers key benefits:

Accuracy – Avoid misclassification and incorrect duty payments.
Risk reduction– Reduce exposure to penalties and audits.
Efficiency – Minimize customs hold-ups through accurate classification and documentation support.
Transparency – Receive complete documentation of classification methodology.
Strategic support – Understand both import and export implications of your product classification.

Industries We Support

Our classification services support a wide range of industries, including:

Partner With Us

By partnering with us, you gain a trusted compliance advisor who provides HTS/ECCN guidance and well-documented recommendations to support your compliance decisions.

Schedule a consultation with Customs-Co for the HTS/ECCN Classifications Service

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