A good customs description enables a smooth shipping process through customs and should be on all shipping documents (e.g., Commercial invoice). It’s used to check that your goods are allowed by law to leave the country and enter the destination country.
Customs descriptions are sourced from your ecommerce platform or from the API. If a customs description is not provided, FlavorCloud takes the product description directly from your online store and automatically adds it to the required customs documents ready to print and add to the shipment. The description should be as specific as possible and include the following:
- What the item is and what it’s used for (e.g., type, function)
- What it’s made of (materials, component parts)
- (Optional) Brand and model number for branded items (i.e., information company product/HS code), E.g., ‘Jewelry’ would be too vague, but “Earrings, 30% gold & 70% metal” would be much better.
A classification that matches the customs description will make it easier for your packages to clear customs. Read Managing your products on steps to update your customs description in FlavorCloud.
