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Classification descriptions

Use quality descriptions for accurate classifications.

The most important input field for an accurate classification is a proper description of the items being classified. Before we jump into how to write proper descriptions, let's discuss why they are critical to accurate classification.

Good descriptions are important for HS code classification.

Providing good product descriptions improve the classification process in the following ways:

• Allows for more accurate classifications resulting in faster clearance. As mentioned above, a detailed description increases classification accuracy, which helps avoid many delays during customs clearance.
• Prevents classification delays caused by vagueness or irrelevant details. When you provide descriptions with relevant details, the classification process is smooth because you are providing all of the information required to quickly and correctly classify your products. If the description is too vague or filled with irrelevant details, Classify may require you to re-submit a proper description before the item can be classified.

You know your products better than anyone. Because you are the expert on your products, only you know how to best and most accurately describe them. Therefore, being detailed and not leaving anything up for interpretation will give you a more precise classification.

Now that you know why providing accurate, detailed descriptions for your goods is important, let us jump into the do's and don'ts of classification descriptions.

Best practices

The key to getting an accurate HS Code classification is to provide the information for your items that will be the most impactful. In other words, focus on the important details like, “What is it?” “What is it made of?” etc. This requires finding a balance of not being vague, while being careful not to provide detail that is not pertinent to the classification. See the list of tips below.

• Do not use overly descriptive or vague terms to classify an item, e.g. vague = shirt; too descriptive = pink shirt with 13 buttons and ribbons on the shoulders; just right = 100% cotton t-shirt
• Do not let a brand name replace elements essential to an item's description (the brand typically doesn't help with the classification and can be included as a separate column if needed), e.g. Nike shirt
• Do not use the long description of an item from your website as your description for classification; it is too long and descriptive and contains extraneous words. We are not marketing the item; we are classifying it, e,g. Make your laptop pop with these textured stickers that come in every color!
• Do not include the color in your description, e.g. oatmeal, coffee, charcoal. It does not impact the HS code, but if you include the word “oatmeal” as a color shade, you may end up with a code for cereal!
• Do not use multiple languages when writing descriptions and formatting your template.
• Do not provide contradicting information, e.g. women's, children's, babies'
• Do not use any non-UTF-8 characters, i.e. emojis
• Do provide the composition of an item and any process that may impact classification, e.g. 100% cotton or freeze dried

As you have probably noticed, the don'ts outnumber the do's, which basically means this: do not overthink the your item descriptions. Once you have answered the basic questions required, and your description is not open for misinterpretation, you are all set. To give you a more concrete idea of these dos and don'ts, see the table below for examples.

Examples of good and bad classification descriptions.