Mastering Customs Descriptions: A guide to accurate and compliant filling

Starting November 12, 2024, it became mandatory for shipments to the USA to avoid including general descriptions on customer transmissions or labels. This is specifically for the USA, but proactively applying these standards will be beneficial for export to any country. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be conducting a risk analysis on goods entering the country. If goods are exported with generic descriptions, they may be stopped and subject to penalties.

1. Use clear and specific product names

Avoid generalizations like “clothing” or “makeup.” Instead, provide the specific type of item:

• Clothing: Rather than “women’s clothing,” specify the item:
  • "Women’s wool blazer" instead of "blazer."
  • "Men’s denim jeans, slim fit" rather than just "jeans."
• Cosmetics: For beauty and skincare products, be clear about the product type:
  • "Moisturizing face cream with SPF 30, 50ml" rather than just "face cream."
  • "Matte liquid lipstick, shade 'Cherry Red', 10ml" instead of simply "lipstick."

2. Include Materials and Fabrics

Customs authorities often need to know the material or fabric content of fashion items to determine duties, especially because different materials may have different tariff rates:

• Clothing: Always indicate the fabric type and composition:
  • "Men’s jacket, 80% wool, 20% polyester lining" instead of "men’s jacket."
  • "Women’s T-shirt, 100% organic cotton, short sleeves" rather than “T-shirt.”
• Accessories: For items like bags, belts, or shoes, be sure to mention the material used:
  • "Leather handbag, black, with gold-tone hardware" rather than “bag.”
  • "Suede high-heeled shoes" instead of just "shoes."
• Cosmetics: Highlight any key active ingredients or components:
  • "Hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, 30ml" instead of just "serum."

3. Include Product Specifications

For fashion and cosmetics, product details like sizes, shades, and features are critical to ensure that customs officers understand the shipment content:

• Clothing and Footwear: Include information like size, fit, and style:
  • "Women’s skinny jeans, dark wash" instead of “women’s jeans.”
  • "Men’s running shoes, mesh upper, rubber sole" rather than “running shoes.”
• Cosmetics: Include volume, weight, and packaging details:
  • "Compact foundation, shade 'Warm Beige', 15g" instead of “foundation.”
  • "Perfume, 100ml, floral fragrance, glass bottle" instead of just “perfume.”

4. Avoid General or Vague Terms

Using vague descriptions like "beauty products" is not helpful for customs officers, and could result in delays. Instead, use complete descriptions for each type of item, even if they’re samples:

• Instead of "beauty products," write "hair conditioner, sulfate-free, 250ml bottle" or "eyeshadow palette, 12 shades, matte finish."

5. Differentiate Between Similar Products

If you are shipping multiple similar items, be sure to differentiate them by key characteristics such as size, color, and style:

• Clothing: “Women’s cashmere sweater, V-neck, size M, color grey” vs. “Women’s cashmere sweater, crew neck, size L, color black.”
• Cosmetics: “Moisturizing lotion, lavender scent, 200ml” vs. “Moisturizing lotion, unscented, 100ml.”

6. Compliance with Safety and Regulatory Standards (if applicable)

Many fashion and cosmetic products are subject to safety regulations (e.g., compliance with chemical restrictions in cosmetics or flammability standards in clothing). Indicating compliance may smooth customs clearance:

• Fashion: “Children’s pyjamas, 100% cotton, flame-resistant, compliant with ASTM safety standards.”
• Cosmetics: “Sunscreen SPF 50, paraben-free, dermatologically tested, FDA approved.”