Determining the customs tariff number: A guide for Germany
The customs tariff number is an eight- to eleven-digit code that uniquely classifies each good in international trade. It determines the amount of import duties, any trade restrictions, and which permits are required for import or export. It is structured hierarchically: the first six digits form the HS code of the World Customs Organization, digits 7 and 8 supplement the EU-specific Combined Nomenclature (CN), and digits 9 to 11 contain TARIC measures as well as national additions such as VAT rates or prohibitions.
We automatically generate all the necessary codes for international shipping – try it now!
For import declarations from a third country, the complete 11-digit code number must always be provided. For exports, the 8-digit commodity code is sufficient. The responsibility for correct classification lies with the Importer in Germany — not at the supplier.
At a glance:
- HS code (6 digits): globally standardized, managed by the World Customs Organization
- CN code (8 digits): EU-specific, basis for import duties and Intrastat declarations
- TARIC code (11 digits): complete import code number including anti-dumping duties, quotas and national measures
- Legal basis: Annex I of the EU Regulation on the Combined Nomenclature, supplemented by the Electronic Customs Tariff (EZT-Online)
- Risk of error: Accepting the supplier number without independent verification often leads to subsequent demands for payment.
How can the customs tariff number be determined systematically?
The starting point is always a precise, technical description of the goods. Trade names like "smart gadget" or marketing terms are worthless to customs. What matters are the objective characteristics of the goods.
Checklist for product description:
- Material composition (e.g. 100% cotton, hardened steel, percentage of plastics)
- Processing level: raw, semi-finished, assembled or packaged for individual sale
- Function and intended use (e.g. medical diagnosis vs. general lighting)
- Function: mechanical, electrical, hydraulic
Once the description is complete, the actual search in EZT-Online begins. The keyword index guides you from the broad chapter selection (21 sections, 97 chapters) to the four-digit headings and finally to the subheadings. A wooden table, despite being made of wood, doesn't belong in Chapter 44, but rather, as a piece of furniture, in Chapter 94. Such distinctions between material principle and intended use are the most common source of error for beginners.
Before delving into subheadings, the notes to the sections and chapters must be read. They have the force of law and can exclude a good despite a seemingly appropriate heading wording. Skipping these notes risks a methodologically incorrect classification.
For items 9 to 11, the TARIC measures are then checked: anti-dumping duties, tariff quotas, and import licensing requirements. A correctly calculated 8-digit number is of little use if an anti-dumping duty from China is overlooked.
Pro tip: For composite goods or sets, the defining characteristic of the goods is determined according to the General Rules (GR). If this cannot be clearly identified, the heading with the highest numerical code must be chosen. In genuine borderline cases, a binding tariff information ruling (BTI) is the only way to obtain legal certainty.
Which official tools help with the search for customs tariff numbers?
Three official databases are available in Germany for determining commodity codes. Each has a different focus.
| tool | Operators | number of digits | Peculiarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| EZT-Online | German Customs Administration | up to 11 positions | Keyword search, notes, national measures, import VAT |
| TARIC | EU Commission | several positions | EU-wide measures, anti-dumping, quotas, preferential tariffs |
| KN / Destatis | Federal Office of Statistics | 8 posts | Foreign trade statistics, Intrastat reports |
EZT-Online This is the first point of contact for companies in Germany. The system contains all TARIC data, supplemented by national information on import VAT and excise duties. The keyword search navigates hierarchically from chapter to heading to subheading. Explanations of the Combined Nomenclature are linked directly to the respective commodity code and provide binding guidance for interpretation.
TARIC The EU Commission's database is particularly useful when country-specific measures need to be reviewed, such as preferential tariffs from free trade agreements or ongoing anti-dumping proceedings. The database is freely accessible.
The goods classification of the Federal Statistical Office It covers the 8-digit CN code and is well-suited for Intrastat declarations and export declarations. For unambiguous search terms, the commodity code is displayed directly; for more specialized products, predefined queries further refine the search.
Official comparative cases and classification regulations of the EU Commission take precedence over any independent assessment. If such a regulation already exists for a product, its classification is thereby determined.
Comparison of specialized service providers for customs tariff number determination
Those who do not wish to handle the classification themselves or require legal protection for complex goods can use specialized providers. Two of these are particularly relevant in Germany.
| Offerer | Services offered | Accuracy and documentation | Price model | Specialisations | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| paketinternational – weltweitversenden GmbH | Automated customs clearance, shipping label creation, parcel service comparison (DHL, UPS, FedEx, DPD, DB Schenker), ERP integration | Automated classification in the shipping process, dashboard transparency | Fee per shipping label (pay-per-label), business customer discounts | Complete shipping and customs process automation for business customers | Cost reduction of up to 80%, API and plugin integrations, no manual customs clearance |
| Customs tariff number.com | Customs tariff number search with product data, HS code, commodity code, TARIC code, PDF documentation, official comparison cases | Detailed documentation with justifications and sources | Free searches without an account, paid extension | Specialized classification advice and customs compliance | Comparative cases, official justifications, suitable for complex individual cases |
Customs tariff number.com This service is aimed at companies that require documented classification with verifiable justifications and official comparable cases. Three free searches are possible without an account. The PDF documentation of the classification is particularly valuable if the classification needs to be proven during a customs audit.
Paket-international takes a different approach: The focus is not on isolated tariff number research, but on the complete automation of the shipping and customs process. The platform connects ERP systems, parcel services, and customs clearance into a single process. For companies with regular international shipping volumes, this is the crucial difference.
Decision criteria at a glance:
- Individual complex classification requiring documentation: Zolltarifnummer.com
- Ongoing international shipping with automatic customs clearance: Parcel-international
- Legal protection in case of ambiguous classification: Apply for a binding tariff information (vZTA) at the Hanover Main Customs Office.
How do you choose the right service for determining customs tariff numbers?
The choice depends primarily on how frequently classifications occur and how complex the goods are.
- Documentation depth: Anyone who has to prove the classification method used during a tax audit needs written justifications and sources. complete documentation It is not an optional extra, but a legal obligation.
- Technical Expertise: The provider should be familiar with and apply the General Regulations (GV 1–6). Simply comparing keywords without reading the annotations will not provide a legally sound classification.
- Degree of automation: With high shipping volumes, automation significantly reduces potential errors. Manual sorting does not scale.
- cost model: Pay-per-label is suitable for companies with ongoing shipping. Individual requests for research purposes are cheaper with providers like Zolltarifnummer.com.
- References and reviews: Customer reviews provide insights into reliability in day-to-day business, but do not replace a substantive review of the ranking quality.
- Topicality: The nomenclature changes annually on January 1st. A provider must ensure that the current version is always used.
Automated customs clearance: What specific benefits does it offer companies?
Fully automated shipping and customs processes fundamentally change the workload involved in tariff classification. Instead of manual research for each shipment, the platform handles the classification based on stored product data.
Paket-international combines shipping management, parcel services, and customs clearance in one system. According to the provider, international shipping costs can be reduced by up to 80%. The dashboard displays all shipments centrally, including customs status and shipping costs in real time.
For companies this means specifically:
- No manual customs declaration required per shipment
- Automatic creation of shipping documents and customs documents
- Comparison of all relevant parcel services (DHL, UPS, FedEx, DPD, DSV and else) in one step
- API- and Plugin integrations for ERP systems and online shops
Automated customs clearance is particularly relevant for companies with recurring product categories: Once correctly entered, the customs tariff number is automatically used for every shipment. This eliminates typos and outdated numbers as potential sources of error.
A look at future developments shows that customs authorities in the EU are further advancing the digitalization of customs declarations. Those who rely on automated processes now will be better prepared for future requirements.
Costs and procedures for determining tariff numbers
The cost of determining a customs tariff number depends heavily on the chosen method.
The use of EZT-Online, TARIC, and the Federal Statistical Office's commodity classification system is free of charge. Non-binding customs tariff information can also be requested from the Customs Central Information Office by telephone or email, free of charge.
Binding tariff information (BTI) is also free of charge. It is applied for electronically via the customs portal at the Hanover Main Customs Office. A complete description of the goods with technical documentation is required, as well as the tariff number deemed applicable by the applicant, along with a justification. The BTI is valid EU-wide for three years and is binding on both the holder and all customs authorities within the EU. If it cannot be issued within 120 days, the applicant will receive a notification explaining the reason.
Specialized service providers like Zolltarifnummer.com offer three free searches without account registration. Additional searches or PDF documentation with justifications incur fees, the exact amount of which is not publicly disclosed on the platform.
At Paket-international, customs clearance is included in the transaction-based pricing model: a fee is charged per shipping label. Business customers can arrange individual price lists and access to premium or platinum plans with guaranteed total costs. Export analysis is available as an additional service.
For companies that Customs guarantees or require a deferral of import duties, specialized service providers offer appropriate solutions.
International parcel shipping as an alternative to manual customs clearance
Once the customs tariff number has been correctly determined, the next task is to ensure legally compliant shipping with complete customs documentation. This is precisely where Paket-international comes in.
The platform automates the entire process from shipping cost calculation to customs clearance, without any manual intervention. Companies that regularly ship internationally thus save considerable time and effort in documentation and parcel service coordination. All major carriers such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, DPD, and DB Schenker are directly integrated. The guaranteed total costs make calculations predictable for business customers. API and plugin integrations are available for companies that want to connect their shipping processes with existing systems.
Key insights
Determining the correct customs tariff number requires a technical description of the goods, the systematic application of the General Regulations, and the use of official databases such as EZT-Online or TARIC.
| Theme | Details |
|---|---|
| Structure of the customs tariff number | HS code (6 digits) + CN (8 digits) + TARIC/national (11 digits); import always requires 11 digits. |
| Importer's responsibility | The correct 11-digit code number is held by the importer; supplier numbers only cover the first 6 digits. |
| Official tools | EZT-Online (German Customs Administration), TARIC (EU Commission) and the commodity classification of the Federal Statistical Office can be used free of charge. |
| Legal protection | The vZTA is free of charge, valid for three years throughout the EU and protects against subsequent objections by customs authorities. |
| International package | For companies with ongoing shipping volumes, Paket-international automates customs clearance and documentation in one process. |