What is crucial to do when classifying a product?

Classifying a product properly is fundamental for various reasons such as determining tariffs, compliance with trade regulations, and ensuring that the product is categorized correctly for market entry. Reviewing section and chapter notes serves as a foundational step in the classification process because these documents provide essential information about trade regulations and classification systems, such as the Harmonized System (HS) codes.

Understanding the specific guidelines outlined in section and chapter notes allows businesses to identify the correct classification criteria for their products. This practice ensures that tariffs are applied correctly and compliance issues are minimized.

While checking competitors' classifications and looking at similar products can provide context and examples, they do not replace the importance of understanding the official rules and guidelines laid out in the section and chapter notes. Consulting with a customs broker may also be beneficial, but it is inherently based on interpreting the rules found within those sections and chapter notes. Therefore, reviewing these notes is a critical first step in ensuring accurate classification and avoiding potential penalties or delays associated with misclassification.