Amazon Vendor HS Code Classification Management

Maintain accurate, compliant, cost-optimised HS code classifications across your entire product catalogue.

HS (Harmonised System) code classification is both critically important and exceptionally complex for Amazon vendors. Incorrect classifications trigger customs delays, penalty assessments, and Amazon chargebacks whilst also potentially overpaying duty by 10-30%. Yet proper classification requires detailed product knowledge, tariff schedule expertise, and ongoing maintenance as products and regulations evolve. Most vendors manage classifications casually through supplier-provided codes or best guesses, creating substantial compliance risk and unnecessary costs.

Our HS Code Classification Management service provides expert classification across your entire catalogue, maintains classifications as products or tariffs evolve, documents classification rationale for audit defence, and optimises codes to minimise duty whilst ensuring compliance. This comprehensive management eliminates classification risk whilst reducing duty costs.

For Finance Directors concerned about import compliance and operations managers frustrated by customs delays, our expert classification management provides confidence and cost reduction.

Key Takeaways

Expert Classification Development: We classify products using proper tariff analysis methodology: detailed product specification review, tariff schedule research across relevant jurisdictions, application of classification rules, and selection of most appropriate codes. This rigorous approach ensures accuracy and optimisation.

Complete Catalogue Coverage: We classify all products in your catalogue including product variants that may require different codes, seasonal items, and new product introductions. Complete coverage prevents classification gaps that create customs delays or compliance issues.

Multi-Jurisdiction Classification: Products may require different HS codes in different markets (UK vs EU vs USA) due to tariff schedule variations. We provide jurisdiction-specific classifications ensuring proper treatment in each import market.

Classification Documentation: We maintain comprehensive classification documentation including product specifications, tariff analysis rationale, and supporting technical information. This documentation provides audit defence and enables consistent classification of similar products.

Ongoing Classification Updates: HS codes and tariff schedules evolve through regulatory changes and product modifications. We monitor changes, update classifications as required, and maintain current optimal classifications over time.

The Problem

Classification Errors Create Multiple Problems: Incorrect HS codes trigger customs clearance delays (shipments held for verification), penalty assessments for deliberate or negligent misclassification, Amazon chargebacks for documentation errors, and potential overpayment of duty through conservative classification.

Supplier-Provided Codes Often Suboptimal: Suppliers typically provide conservative HS codes to minimise their own compliance risk, resulting in higher duty rates than necessary. Vendors accepting supplier classifications without verification typically overpay duty by 10-30%.

Product Variants Require Individual Classification: Many vendors use single HS codes across product lines for simplicity, missing that variants (different materials, sizes, functions) may require different classifications. This blanket approach ensures some products are misclassified.

Classification Knowledge Gap: Proper HS code classification requires specialist expertise: understanding tariff schedules, applying classification rules, interpreting product specifications technically. Most vendor teams lack this expertise, preventing accurate classification without external support.

Our Process

Step 1: Comprehensive Classification Audit

We audit all existing HS code classifications, identify errors or suboptimal codes, assess compliance risk, and quantify duty overpayment from current classifications. This baseline assessment establishes improvement priorities.

Step 2: Complete Catalogue Classification

We classify all products using rigorous methodology: detailed specification review, tariff schedule analysis, application of classification rules, and documentation of rationale. Classifications are optimised for duty minimisation whilst ensuring compliance.

Step 3: Classification Documentation & Implementation

We document all classifications with supporting rationale and technical specifications, provide formatted data for customs broker and ERP system implementation, and train relevant teams on proper classification usage.

Step 4: Ongoing Classification Maintenance

We monitor tariff schedule changes, update classifications for product modifications, classify new product introductions, and maintain classification documentation ensuring continued accuracy and optimisation.