Ref: Tariff Classification
Technology influences every aspect of our lives. In the past, customs experts pointed out that tariff classification, being a highly complex technique, would always require human intervention to interpret the rules of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS), and that automation would be impossible or unlikely. That perception is changing with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI).
The American company 3CE Technologies is using AI to classify goods through its Smart HS tool. According to the company, the tool is constantly learning and becomes more accurate as users use it.
Meanwhile, researchers at the University of the Netherlands are exploring the possibility of automating HS code classification to increase productivity and address the growing workloads of importers and customs agencies. To achieve this, they have tested a deep learning model called a neural machine translation model, which has so far achieved an accuracy of 85%.
At the British University in Dubai, UAE, other researchers have been exploring ways to reduce complexity in determining HS codes at Dubai Customs, using a case study approach and an HS code prediction model based on six machine learning models.
This type of tool is likely to surpass human capacity to classify goods in the short term. Adaptation and reinvention skills for experts in this field will be the solution. Technology evolves, and customs is no exception!
If you have any questions or require advice on this or other topics, please contact us. costarica@catradeconsulting.com
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