Customs Consultancy

Tariff Classification and Duty Minimisation

What is tariff code?

A tariff or commodity code is used to calculate the percentage of import duty and VAT you need to pay on your imports. It is also used to identify duty suspension, preferential rates, licencing requirements and additional duty due such as Anti-Dumping Duty amongst others.

Our Customs Consultancy division will review tariff codes used by clients and where possible, seek to re-classify their goods in order that they benefit from lower duty rates. When re-classifications are achieved, we seek to recover overpaid duty in the previous three years. On the instruction of our client we will obtain binding tariffs with HMRC so that ongoing savings can be achieved. 

Binding tariff information (BTI) is legally binding on customs throughout the European Union.

As part of the re-classifying review, we seek to identify tariff suspensions that might relate to a product. Importers can request the suspension of customs duty when the goods that they import are not available in the European Union or are not available in sufficient quantity.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you with tariff classification and duty minimisation, please contact us here. 

“We recently started working with a retailer of high-end luxury houseware importing into the US. As a project, they wanted all 1800 SKU lines classified with a Harmonized US Tariff. Woodland Group took on this task and were able to produce a completed file within a couple of weeks to reach our client’s deadlines.”

“Woodland Group has worked with a market leader for raw materials used in the Cosmetics and Personal Care industry for several years now. In that time, we have been able to recover £45K plus in overpaid duty. This is continuously ongoing with the help of classifying various products.”