Reference

Customs & Trade Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the customs terms you'll hit every day: dutiable, HS code, MFN duty, Incoterms, country of origin, de minimis, landed cost, and more. Every definition links back to the official source and to the Dutiable tool that acts on it.

Dutiable

Dutiable (adjective) means subject to customs duty. A good is dutiable when it crosses a border in commerce and isn't exempt under the de minimis threshold, a free-trade agreement, or a specific duty suspension.

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HS Code (Harmonized System Code)

The 6-digit international product classification code maintained by the World Customs Organization. Used by 200+ countries as the base of their national tariff schedules.

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Tariff Code by Country & Language

Every country has its own name for the tariff classification code — Tariffnummer in Germany, partida arancelaria in Spanish-speaking markets, code tarifaire in France, codice doganale in Italy. All extend the same 6-digit international HS code maintained by the WCO.

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HTS Code

The 10-digit US tariff schedule code maintained by USITC. The first 6 digits match the international HS code; the last 4 are US-specific for duty rates and statistics.

Also searched: harmonized tariff schedule · us hts · what is an hts code

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CN Code (Combined Nomenclature)

The 8-digit EU tariff classification code that extends the international 6-digit HS code with two extra digits for EU-specific duty rates and statistics. The first 6 digits always match the WCO HS code.

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MFN Duty (Most-Favoured-Nation)

The standard duty rate a WTO member applies to imports from any other WTO member, absent a preferential trade agreement. It's the 'default' rate shown in tariff schedules.

Also searched: most favoured nation rate · most favored nation tariff · mfn tariff

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Country of Origin

The country where a product was substantially manufactured or transformed — not necessarily where it was shipped from. It determines which tariffs and trade agreements apply.

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Rules of Origin

The criteria customs authorities use to decide a product's country of origin for preferential-tariff purposes. Each free-trade agreement sets its own rules per HS heading.

Also searched: preferential rules of origin · fta rules of origin · customs rules of origin

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USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement)

The free-trade agreement that replaced NAFTA on July 1, 2020. Provides duty-free trade among the US, Mexico, and Canada for goods that meet USMCA rules of origin — most notably the automotive Regional Value Content (RVC) and Labour Value Content (LVC) tests.

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Customs Value

The value used to calculate customs duty — usually the transaction value (price paid) plus freight and insurance to the place of import.

Also searched: dutiable value · assessed value for duty

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De Minimis

The shipment-value threshold below which customs duty (and sometimes VAT) is not charged. Varies by country — e.g. $800 in the US, €150 for duty in the EU.

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Section 321 (US De Minimis)

Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930 is the US legal authority for the $800 de minimis exemption — goods under that value enter duty-free without formal entry. Since May 2025, China- and Hong Kong-origin goods are excluded from Section 321 treatment.

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Landed Cost

The total cost of a product once it arrives at its destination: purchase price + freight + insurance + customs duty + VAT + any brokerage and handling fees.

Also searched: total landed cost · fully landed cost

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Incoterms

The 11 standard shipping terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce. They define who pays for freight, insurance, and duty — and who bears risk at each stage.

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General Rules of Interpretation (GRI)

The six legal rules customs officers must apply, in order, when classifying a product under the Harmonized System. GRI 1 covers most cases; GRI 2-6 resolve edge cases.

Also searched: general rules of interpretation · gri rules · rules of classification · customs classification rules

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Tariff

A government tax on imports (occasionally exports). Usually a percentage of the customs value, but can be specific (per kg, per unit) or compound (both).

Also searched: customs tariff · import tariff · tariff rate

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Import Duty

Import duty is the tax a customs authority charges on goods entering the country. It's calculated as a percentage of the customs value (usually CIF in the EU/UK, FOB in the US) using the duty rate listed against the product's HS code.

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Section 301 Tariffs

Additional US tariffs on Chinese-origin goods imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. They stack on top of MFN duty; rates currently range roughly 7.5-100% depending on list.

Also searched: china tariffs · trump tariffs · section 301

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Section 232 Tariffs

Additional US tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 on imports the President determines to threaten US national security. Currently active on steel (25%), aluminum (25%), imported autos and covered auto parts. Stack on top of MFN duty.

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IEEPA Tariffs

Additional US tariffs imposed by presidential executive order under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), used as a general-purpose tariff authority since 2025. Stack on top of MFN duty, Section 301 and Section 232.

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Anti-Dumping Duty

Additional duty imposed when a country determines goods are being sold below fair market value. Stacks on top of MFN duty and applies only to specific products from specific origins.

Also searched: add · anti dumping duty · dumping margin

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Customs Broker

A licensed professional who files import and export declarations on behalf of importers and exporters. In the US, customs brokers are licensed by CBP; in the EU, they are called customs agents or representatives.

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Freight Forwarder

A company that arranges the movement of goods on behalf of exporters and importers — booking cargo space, coordinating carriers, preparing shipping documents, and sometimes handling customs clearance.

Also searched: freight forwarding · international freight forwarder · what is a freight forwarder · freight agent · nvocc

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Bill of Lading (B/L or BoL)

The shipping document issued by a carrier (or NVOCC) acknowledging receipt of cargo and evidencing the contract of carriage. The negotiable bill of lading also functions as a title document — possession means ownership.

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Importer of Record (IOR)

The legal entity responsible for ensuring that imported goods comply with all customs laws and for paying all duties and taxes. The IOR's name appears on the customs entry; they bear full legal liability for the shipment.

Also searched: importer of record · ior · who is the importer of record · import of record · foreign importer of record

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EORI Number

Economic Operator Registration and Identification number — the unique ID issued by EU (or UK post-Brexit) customs to importers, exporters, and other economic operators. Required on all customs declarations.

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Customs Clearance

The process by which a customs authority formally approves the release of imported goods after duties have been paid, declarations filed, and any inspections completed.

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Certificate of Origin

A document that certifies in which country a product was manufactured. Needed to claim preferential tariff rates under free-trade agreements. Different FTAs use different certificate formats.

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Bonded Warehouse

A storage facility authorised by customs where imported goods can be held without paying duty until they are released for home consumption, re-exported, or destroyed. Duty is suspended, not waived.

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Duty Drawback

A refund of customs duties paid on imported goods when those goods are subsequently exported (or used to manufacture exported products). Available in the US, EU, UK, and most major importing countries.

Also searched: duty drawback · import duty refund · customs drawback · manufacturing drawback · substitution drawback · cbp drawback claim

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Countervailing Duty (CVD)

Additional customs duty imposed by an importing country to offset foreign government subsidies provided to the exporter. CVD stacks on top of MFN duty and anti-dumping duty where both apply.

Also searched: countervailing duty · cvd · subsidy duty · anti-subsidy duty · what is countervailing duty

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Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ)

A trade policy mechanism that allows a set volume of imports at a lower (in-quota) duty rate. Imports above that volume pay a higher (out-of-quota) rate. Common for agricultural goods, steel, and textiles.

Also searched: tariff rate quota · trq · tariff quota · import quota · trf quota

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Excise Duty

A tax levied on specific goods — usually alcohol, tobacco, fuel, and certain vehicles — in addition to customs duty and VAT. Unlike ad valorem duty, excise is often specific (per litre, per unit, per kg).

Also searched: excise duty · excise tax · customs excise · what is excise duty · excise duty on imports

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CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight)

An Incoterm meaning the seller pays for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight to the named destination port. Also the customs valuation basis for the EU, UK, and most of the world — the import duty is calculated on CIF value.

Also searched: cif · cost insurance freight · cif incoterm · cif value · cif customs value · what is cif in shipping

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GSP (Generalised System of Preferences)

A unilateral trade preference programme where developed countries give zero or reduced import duty to goods from developing countries — without reciprocity. Major schemes include the EU GSP, US GSP, and UK DCTS.

Also searched: gsp · generalised system of preferences · generalized system of preferences · gsp tariff · gsp country list · gsp form a · developing country tariff

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