No, to the best of our knowledge no other technology company has been able to provide a ‘cloud native’ platform Global Single Windows solution focussed on support declaration SaaS services for international traders, that incorporates ‘Real Time’ Customs Compliance monitoring at the product or HTC level. Virtually all declarations systems around the world are dedicated to international freight forwarding companies and most systems do not incorporate ‘Real-Time’ Customs Compliance monitoring.

Yes, the fundamental purpose of our platform is to create competitive tension around international ocean and air freight costs, by separating the declaration function from internal logistics services, as no one freight forwarder is the most competitive with international air and sea freight costs in every trade lane around the world.

Harmonized Tariff Codes (HTC’s) are product classification codes that vary between eight and 10 digits for each country. The first six digits are globally aligned via HTC Sub-Headings, assigned by the World Customs Organization (WCO), thereby enabling the classification of goods for Customs purposes.

All countries of import assign the subsequent digits (i.e. beyond six digits), to provide additional classification information and duty rates. HTC’s that are 8-10 digits are administered by the respective Border Agencies for each country.

Yes. But WCP recommends our experienced Senior Customs Brokers provide professional assistance based on their extensive industry experience, because it can be a complex and difficult task. WCP can provide you the information straight from the Border Agency’s legal Customs Tariff environment.

Consider the classification of a set of goods, being a Toothbrush, Comb and Hand Sanitiser. Either a word search or casual browsing through the Tariff Schedule might lead to various heading options such as 9603 (Toothbrush), 9615 (Comb) and 3808 (Hand Sanitiser). However, the governing WCO General Rules for Interpretation of the Harmonised Tariff, dictate under Rule 3(b), such goods “shall be classified as if they consisted of the material or component which gives them their essential character, insofar as this criterion is applicable.” Therefore, the proper classification could be in this instance Chapter 9615,  as the Toothbrush would appear to provide the ‘essential character’ of the set, although this interpretation may vary country to country. Although, in principle, articles can be classified in only one place, classification often requires interpretation and judgment.

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Also, Border Agencies apply penalties for Non-Compliance, which can be quite unpleasant and unexpected financial burden on the business.