.svg)
Simplify your cross-border trade with our cutting-edge customs brokerage services.
.png)
.avif)
Streamlining customs processes for fast-moving goods to guarantee prompt deliveries to customers.
Simplifying import procedures for retail items, from electronics to clothing, for hassle-free market access.
Ensuring vehicle and part imports meet safety, environmental, and compliance standards.
Handling the import of valuable electronics with precision to ensure quick processing and compliance.
Coordinating safe and compliant imports of agricultural goods and live animals with regulatory adherence.
Managing sensitive imports of medical products and pharmaceuticals with strict safety and regulatory measures.
Facilitating food and beverage imports while meeting safety and regulatory standards.
Assisting with apparel imports to guarantee efficient clearance and timely delivery to markets.
Managing furniture imports with focus on compliance and efficient logistics handling.
Coordinating imports of plastics, chemicals, and raw materials for industrial use.
Overseeing imports of construction, farming, and industrial equipment with attention to compliance and logistics.
Simplifying the import process for live plants and flowers while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Unity provides smooth cross-border customs services in Canada and the U.S.
Preparing and submitting accurate customs filings to CBP, ensuring proper classification, valuation, and timely payment of duties and taxes.
Facilitating smooth clearances with agencies like FDA, USDA, and EPA, alongside CBP for regulatory compliance.
Helping secure continuous or single-entry customs bonds needed for importing goods into the country.
Identifying appropriate tariff codes to determine applicable duties, taxes, and compliance requirements.
Assisting companies in reclaiming duties paid on unused or re-exported imported goods.
Guiding businesses through customs audits, post-entry corrections, and reassessment of duties owed.
Advising on trade regulations, agreements, and documentation to align with import compliance standards.
Submitting timely ISF filings to ensure cargo is approved before ocean shipment loading.
Providing seamless customs clearance solutions integrated with transportation logistics.
Leveraging data to offer insights on trade patterns, duty spend, and compliance performance.
Join our network to become a trusted partner with BorderBuddy to offer seamless customs brokerage services to your clients.
An HS Code (Harmonized System Code) is a standardized numerical system used globally to classify traded goods. It is developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and serves as the foundation for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and international shipping documentation.
• Structure: An HS Code typically consists of 6 digits, but countries may extend it to 8–10 digits for more specificity.
• First 2 digits: Chapter (e.g., type of product).
• Next 2 digits: Heading (subcategory within the chapter).
• Final 2 digits: Subheading (specific product).
For example:
• 8703.21: Cars with spark-ignition engines.
• 8703.10: Vehicles for transporting 10+ people.
Why Are HS Codes Important?
• Customs Clearance: Determines duties, taxes, and import/export requirements.
• Trade Agreements: Ensures compliance with tariff reductions under agreements like USMCA.
• Legal Compliance: Avoids penalties for misclassification.
• Supply Chain Efficiency: Streamlines shipping processes.
How to Look Up an HS Code
Here are methods to find the correct HS Code for your product:
1. Use Online HS Code Search Tools
• U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC): For U.S. imports and exports.
• Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA): For Canadian classifications.
• World Customs Organization (WCO): Provides HS Explanatory Notes and guidance.
• Many countries have their own online tariff tools, such as the EU TARIC Database or India’s ICEGATE.
2. Search Through National Tariff Schedules
• Access your country’s tariff schedule, which includes extended codes (beyond 6 digits) specific to that country.
• U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS): hts.usitc.gov
• Canada Customs Tariff: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce
3. Product Description Search
• Use keywords related to your product in tariff search engines. Be as specific as possible (e.g., “laptops with integrated circuits”).
• Refer to the WCO’s HS Nomenclature for broad categories.
4. Consult a Customs Broker or Freight Forwarder
• Customs brokers are trained to classify products correctly and can help avoid misclassification risks.
5. Review Official Documentation
• Many governments provide explanatory notes or guides to assist in finding the right code. The WCO’s Explanatory Notes are a valuable resource.
Tips for Finding the Right HS Code
1. Be Specific: Break your product into its primary materials, function, and use.
2. Cross-Check Rules: Ensure compliance with your destination country’s specific classification rules.
3. Ask for Manufacturer Help: Often, manufacturers include the HS Code in product specifications.
If you’re unsure about an HS Code for your product, I can help you locate one—just share a brief description of your item!
Hiring a customs broker can greatly simplify the process of importing or exporting goods by ensuring compliance with complex customs regulations. Here are the primary reasons why you might need one:
1. Expertise in Customs Regulations
• Customs brokers are specialists in the import/export laws of different countries.
• They ensure your shipment complies with local regulations, reducing the risk of delays, penalties, or seizure of goods.
• Brokers stay updated on changes in trade agreements, duties, and tariffs.
2. Proper Documentation
• Import/export requires a variety of forms, such as:
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Customs Declaration
• Brokers prepare, submit, and track the required paperwork accurately and promptly.
3. HS Code Classification
• They classify your goods under the correct HS Code, which determines:
• Applicable duties and taxes.
• Eligibility for trade agreements like USMCA or EU Trade Agreements.
• Misclassification can result in fines or overpayment of duties.
4. Calculating Duties and Taxes
• Customs brokers calculate the correct amount of:
• Import duties
• Value-added tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Other fees, such as anti-dumping duties.
• This ensures you avoid unexpected costs upon delivery.
5. Managing Customs Bonds
• In some cases, such as importing to the U.S., a customs bond may be required.
• Brokers can secure these bonds for you and ensure they are valid for your shipment.
6. Navigating Complex Imports
• Some products, like vehicles, chemicals, or electronics, may require special permits or compliance checks.
• Brokers manage these requirements and coordinate with relevant agencies (e.g., EPA, FDA, or CFIA).
7. Saving Time and Reducing Errors
• Customs procedures can be time-consuming and prone to errors if you’re unfamiliar with the process.
• Brokers streamline the process, allowing you to focus on your business.
8. Handling Disputes or Audits
• If customs authorities challenge your shipment, brokers:
• Communicate with officials.
• Provide documentation to resolve issues.
• Assist with audits to ensure compliance.
9. Freight Forwarding Integration
• Many brokers also coordinate with freight forwarders to handle end-to-end logistics, including:
• Shipping schedules.
• Warehousing.
• Delivery to the final destination.
When Is a Customs Broker Especially Useful?
• High-Value Shipments: Reduces financial risks.
• Complicated Regulations: For goods requiring permits, certifications, or testing.
• Large-Scale Operations: Simplifies processes for frequent importers/exporters.
• Cross-Border Trade: Ensures compliance with bilateral or multilateral agreements.
How to Choose a Customs Broker
• Ensure they are licensed by the relevant authority (e.g., CBP in the U.S.).
• Look for experience with your specific type of goods.
• Check their ability to handle shipments at your desired port of entry or exit.
• Evaluate their customer service, technology tools, and cost transparency.
Using a customs broker can protect your business from compliance risks, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency. Let me know if you need help finding one or understanding more about the process!
Customs clearance is the process of obtaining permission from the customs authority of a country to either import goods into or export goods out of that country. This process ensures that the shipment complies with all legal requirements, including the payment of applicable duties and taxes, and adherence to regulatory standards.
