Questions people bring to the trade team before a shipment moves.
A practical reference for the people around import and export work: sales, procurement, finance, logistics, brokers, suppliers, and product teams.
Product or procurementWhich code do we need: HS, CN, or TARIC?+
Use 6 digits for HS, the international foundation for product classification. Use 8 digits for CN, the EU Combined Nomenclature used in EU customs declarations. Use 10 digits for TARIC, which connects the product to EU duty rates, suspensions, quotas, restrictions, and trade defence measures.
Sales or product teamWhy does the product description need to be so specific?+
The trade team needs enough detail to classify the goods correctly: material, function, technical characteristics, composition, intended use, packaging, and supporting documents. A vague description can lead to the wrong code, incorrect duties, blocked shipments, or weak evidence during an audit.
Customs brokerWhat does a customs broker need to clear customs for you?+
A broker usually needs broker authorization, often called a Power of Attorney, before acting for the Importer of Record (declarant) or exporter. This document confirms who the broker may represent and what they may do. The trade team should keep it with the broker contact details, representation type, any limits on the broker's authority, and the shipment record.
Finance or operationsWhich Incoterm are we using, and who pays what?+
Incoterms define responsibilities between buyer and seller, including transport risk, delivery point, and cost allocation. They do not replace customs rules, but they help determine who arranges clearance, who pays duties or import VAT, and which party must provide documents.
Importer or exporterDo we need an EORI number?+
Economic operators that interact with EU customs generally need an EORI number for declarations and customs-related procedures. It acts as the customs identifier across the EU and should be confirmed before the shipment is handed to the broker.
Supplier or sourcing teamWhat origin should we declare?+
Origin is not always the same as the shipping country. It depends on where the goods were wholly obtained or substantially transformed. If preferential duty treatment is claimed, the trade team needs proof of origin and evidence that the product meets the agreement rules.
FinanceHow are customs duties and landed cost calculated?+
Duties depend on the product classification, customs value, origin, and applicable EU or national measures. A landed-cost view should also consider transport, insurance, import VAT, anti-dumping duties, safeguards, licensing, and product-specific restrictions.
Compliance or managementAre there anti-dumping, safeguard, or restriction risks?+
Trade defence and restriction measures can add duties or controls to specific goods from specific countries. They can change cost of goods sold, sourcing decisions, and shipment timing even when the base HS or CN classification is correct.
Audit or internal reviewWhat evidence should we keep after the shipment?+
Keep the full shipment and customs pack: commercial invoice, packing list, import or export declaration, transport document such as CMR, AWB, or bill of lading, delivery note, origin proof, preference statement, licenses, certificates, product descriptions, technical specifications, supplier documents, classification reasoning, valuation and payment support, Incoterms, Power of Attorney or broker authorization, broker communications, and the decision history behind the customs position.
Trade teamHow can Palmyra help us answer these requests faster?+
Palmyra is designed to turn scattered product and customs information into structured records: classify the product, store the evidence, track authorizations and documents, enrich records with duties and restrictions, and keep the decision trail ready for review.