Introduction to Tariff Classification: Are Your Products Classified Correctly?

Why Should You Attend:

Ninety-eight percent of the merchandise in international trade is classified in terms of the Harmonized System (HS). This fact requires that companies involved in trade know how to use the HS to properly classify their products. Despite the wide use of the Harmonized System as the basis for the customs tariff of over 170 countries, many companies involved in global trade still struggle without a distinct understanding of how HS works and why it is a key factor in trade compliance.

This webinar will provide attendees with an introduction to the HS. In addition to providing a description of the HS, it will explain how it works and why it must be used to correctly and compliantly classify products in international trade. The course will discuss the General Rules of Interpretation, Explanatory Notes and official rulings to the HS. The webinar will also include a discussion of the structure of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) and outline the steps that should be followed to properly classify a product.

Some of the key topics to be addressed in the webinar are:

• The HS and trade compliance
• Why the HS must be used
• Proper classification of products
• The use of the Explanatory Notes to the HS

Learning Objectives:

After completing the webinar, attendees should be able to:

• Understand the structure of the HS
• Understand the General Rules of Interpretation
• Understand how to find the correct tariff classification for their product

Areas Covered in the Webinar:

• Background on Harmonized System
• Structure of the Harmonized System
• General Rules of Interpretation
• Use of Explanatory Notes
• Tariff Rulings and Other Official Guidance

Who Will Benefit:

• All companies engaged in international trade
• Purchasing department staff
• Compliance officers
• Supply chain managers and analysts
• Logistics department staff
• Trade regulatory/legislative affairs professionals
• Sales/marketing personnel
• Training personnel
• Consultants
• International business operations

Instructor Profile:

Reynaldo Roman is a licensed U.S. customs broker and certified customs specialist with two decades of experience in customs brokerage and U.S. trade compliance. During his career, Mr. Roman has managed customs’ brokerage teams, worked as a compliance analyst at a large international importer and completed high-level trade compliance assignments such as product line classification and customs protest and duty refund projects. He has gained specialized knowledge in the areas of pharmaceutical and medical devices, cosmetics and food products and consumer electronics and textiles.

In his current role, as senior manager of trade compliance at Marken, a world leader in providing logistical services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and clinical research industries, Mr. Roman supports operational teams and clients in ensuring that the trade regulatory requirements of customs and other government agencies are understood and met.

Topic Background:

Most countries require that importers correctly declare the HS classification of the product they wish to import. The HS classification provides useful information about the product’s description, rate of duties and taxes applicable, country of origin and whether the product is subject to any import controls.

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