Customs Registered Specialist key terms

The monetary amount on which ad valorem import duties are assessed, determined under the WTO Valuation Agreement using the transaction value method first, then fallback methods in prescribed sequence.

The price actually paid or payable for imported goods when sold for export, adjusted by additions such as commissions, assists, royalties and proceeds, and by permitted deductions.

Goods, services or engineering supplied free or at reduced cost by the buyer for use in producing the imported goods, whose value must be added to the transaction value.

The last-resort valuation technique applying flexible use of earlier methods, used only when transaction value, identical, similar, deductive and computed value methods cannot be applied.

The pricing of transactions between related parties, which customs authorities examine to test whether the declared value was influenced by the relationship.

A sale between buyer and seller linked by ownership, control, family or employment ties, requiring the declarant to show the relationship did not affect the price.

The international nomenclature maintained by the World Customs Organization, comprising general rules, section and chapter notes, and a six-digit code structure adopted by most trading nations.

The six rules governing classification, establishing that headings and notes control, resolving incomplete goods, mixtures, composite goods and sets, and directing use of the most specific heading.

The criterion used under GIR 3(b) to classify mixtures and sets by the component giving the goods their fundamental nature, considering bulk, value or role.

A four-digit heading and its six-digit subheading in the Harmonized System; national tariff lines add further digits for duty rates.

A formal advance decision by customs on how goods will be classified, binding on authorities for a stated period provided the facts and nomenclature remain unchanged.

The criteria determining a good's economic nationality, covering wholly obtained goods, substantial transformation and product-specific requirements used for preferential and non-preferential purposes.

The change in a good's character through processing in a country, tested by tariff shift, value added or specific manufacturing process.

A change-in-tariff-classification test requiring non-originating materials used in production to be classified outside the heading or subheading of the finished good.

A value-based origin test expressing the minimum share of a good's value that must originate in the preferential area, calculated by build-up or build-down formula.

A preferential rule allowing originating materials or processing in one party to be counted as originating in another party when determining origin of the final good.

A tolerance permitting a limited percentage of non-originating materials that fail the tariff shift rule without disqualifying the good from preferential origin.

A reduced or zero duty rate granted to originating goods of a partner country under a free trade agreement or unilateral preference scheme, claimed by declaration.

Documentation such as a certificate or origin declaration evidencing that goods meet applicable origin rules, required to support a preference claim.

A system allowing the exporter or importer, rather than a chamber or authority, to attest origin on an invoice or prescribed statement.

A written decision by customs before importation on classification, origin or valuation, giving the applicant certainty when facts are fully and accurately disclosed.

An advance decision on how customs value will be determined for described goods and a described transaction, binding on the issuing administration.

The act by which a person indicates the procedure to be applied to goods and provides the particulars customs requires, including classification, value and origin.

A standardized multi-copy form used in many jurisdictions for export, import and transit declarations, serving as the core data set for the customs procedure.

The person lodging a customs declaration, who is responsible for the accuracy of the particulars stated and for payment of duties owed.

A licensed intermediary who prepares and lodges declarations on behalf of importers and exporters, owing duties of care and accuracy to the client and customs.

A written authorization enabling a representative to act before customs on an importer's or exporter's behalf, often required for broker filings.

A regime suspending or refunding duties on goods that are re-exported, processed, stored or used for approved purposes, subject to conditions and record keeping.

A procedure permitting imported goods to be processed and re-exported with relief from import duties, subject to authorization and identification of processed products.

A procedure allowing goods to be imported for a defined purpose and period with duties suspended, typically under an ATA carnet or equivalent guarantee.

An international customs document functioning as a temporary admission declaration and guarantee, used for professional equipment, samples and exhibition goods.

A customs arrangement under which goods move between offices under control without payment of duties, requiring a guarantee and discharge at the destination.

A financial guarantee or undertaking securing payment of potential duties and penalties, required for procedures such as transit, warehousing and deferred payment.

An arrangement allowing an approved importer to pay duties periodically rather than at each release, backed by a guarantee.

Verification of declarations and commercial records after release, used by customs to confirm classification, valuation, origin and duty liability.

A self-initiated report by a trader of an error or omission in a declaration, often mitigating penalties and limiting exposure.

The framework of administrative and criminal sanctions for customs offences, distinguishing negligence from fraud and setting mitigation criteria.

A formal reconsideration of a customs decision by the issuing authority or an independent body, often the prerequisite for judicial appeal.

A status granted to compliant traders meeting security and record-keeping standards, granting benefits such as reduced inspection and priority treatment.

An arrangement in which one customs administration accepts another's validation of an Authorized Economic Operator, extending benefits across borders.

Measures safeguarding the movement of goods from origin to destination, including advance cargo information, risk profiling and controlled access to premises.

Data on consignments submitted before loading or arrival, enabling customs risk assessment and targeting before goods reach the border.

The systematic use of criteria and data to select consignments for inspection, focusing resources on higher-risk shipments.

The obligation to retain declarations, invoices, transport and accounting documents for a prescribed period, supporting verification and audit.