The importance of HARMONIZED CODES in US Customs:
Starting from November 12, 2024, all shipments departing from Spain to the United States must include a CLEAR AND CONCISE DESCRIPTION of the contents of the package.
If the description is too vague, unclear, or lacking in detail, the package may face delays, penalties, fines, rejections upon entry into the U.S., or even confiscation.
The message is clear: The aim is to ensure that every package crossing the U.S. border is legal, accurate, and in compliance with the regulations established by the U.S., improving customs control, tariff assessment, and minimizing the risks associated with poorly specified goods.
The CBP (Customs and Border Protection) requires precise descriptions of goods to accurately assess risks, determine appropriate duties, and ensure compliance with import regulations.
Imprecise and overly generic descriptions make it difficult for customs officials to effectively examine shipments and identify potential threats.
It is essential to provide precise and detailed descriptions of goods on all commercial invoices for shipments to the United States. Avoid using vague terms such as "gifts," "accessories," "parts," or "samples."
Instead, we as a shipping company recommend using clear and specific language that answers the following questions:
- What is it? For example: children's toy, women's dress, etc.
- What is it made of? Plastic, 60% cotton, 40% polyester, etc.
- What is it used for? For playing, for dressing, for eating, etc.
- Relevant details, such as size, gender, color, if it has buttons, if it is original, etc.
To make it easier for you, here are some common and clear examples we deal with daily:
- Not accepted: Gifts, part, electronic component, etc.
- Accepted: Plastic children's toy, 2 women's dresses made of 60% cotton and 40% polyester, laptop with a 15-inch screen, etc.
Additionally, the harmonized code for the contents of the package must be included, and the invoice must be submitted electronically to customs.
It is essential to follow these guidelines to avoid delays and ensure smooth processing of our shipments.
The following list, provided by the CBP, is a guide for acceptable and unacceptable descriptions. This list is not complete, as it is too extensive. It will continue to expand as unacceptable descriptions are identified and acceptable descriptions are refined.
Descriptions in the Acceptable column should be considered only as examples of the items they describe, and not as a list of specifically acceptable or restrictive terms.
| Unacceptable | Acceptable |
| Clothing/Apparel | Shoes, Footwear |
| Clothing (Women’s, Men’s, Children’s) | Women’s dresses, Men’s shirts, Children’s jackets |
| Accessories | Refrigerator, Kitchenware, Microwave, Coffee machines, Hair ties |
| Accessories | Sunglasses, Stockings |
| Auto Parts | Air filters, Car brakes, Car windshields |
| Automotive Accessories | Windshield wipers for cars |
| T-shirt | 100% cotton men’s T-shirt |
| Taxable Food Products | Ice cream, French fries |
| Textiles | Carpets, Silk |
| Toys/Games | Wooden toys for children, Plastic toys for children |
| Toys/Games | Board games, Console games |
| Supplements | Vitamins, Protein powder |
| Spare Parts | Cell phone screen replacement, New car brakes |
| Sporting Goods | Hockey sticks, Soccer balls, Goal nets |
| Daily Essentials | Clear and specific description required (e.g., plastic comb, cosmetic mirror, deodorant, diapers) |
| Personal Care Items | Clear and specific description required (e.g., shampoo, hand cream, hygienic paper) |
| Crafts | Construction paper, cotton balls, cleaning cloths, pom-poms, handmade decorative items |
| Electronic Products | Computers, Monitors, Mobile Phones, TVs, DVD players, Electronic Toys, Game Consoles, Electronic Dolls |
| Electronic Device | Kitchen hand blender |
Last updated: August 28, 2024
At OLABOX Barcelona, we are committed to you. With our extensive experience in logistics, we can advise you on the proper assignment of harmonized codes for your shipments to the U.S. and anywhere in the world. If you have any questions about which code applies to your products, feel free to reach out to us.
Remember, at OLABOX, we’re here to help simplify your international shipments and ensure they arrive at their destination quickly and hassle-free!
Contact us today for more information on harmonized codes and our international shipping services.
Have a happy shipment! 🚀📦
