What is the Tariff Decision Tree™ Software?
The Tariff Decision Tree™ software is a fully automatic, web-based tariff classification system that uses an interactive Question- &-Answer format to deliver the 10-digit HTS Code and the NTR and GSP(A) duty rates for the item you're trying to classify. Tariff Decision Trees™ (T.D.T.'s) are based on expert- system algorithms that were developed by the former Chief Scientist of U.S. Customs & Border Protection and the Executive Officer of Customs Laboratory Services LLC. All T.D.T.'s will be available 24/7 on this web site on a credit-card, pay-to-play format.

As of May 31, 2018:
These T.D.T.’s are "Live":

• Footwear
• Handbags
• Gloves, Mittens and Mitts

These T.D.T.’s are "Coming Soon" (Autumn, 2018):

• Luggage, Sports Bags & Fitted Cases
• Personal Linens (Bed, Bath, Kitchen)
• Pocket & Handbag Items (wallets, ID Cases)
Sweaters & Pullovers

These T.D.T.'s are in the Pipeline for 2019:

• Elements, Isotopes & Inorganic Chemicals
• Glassware
• Hats, Helmets & Other Headgear
• Home Textiles (Curtains, Drapes, etc.)
• Organic Chemical Compounds
• Petroleum & Petroleum Products
• Pharmaceuticals
• Plastics & Rubber
• Steel Products

How do Tariff Decision Trees™ Work?
All Tariff Decision Trees™ use an interactive Question-&-Answer format where the T.D.T. will ask you a series of questions about the item and, for each question, give you a few answers from which to choose. When you select your answer, the T.D.T. will "think it over" and then (almost instantly) ask you the next question. For example, one of the first questions that the Footwear T.D.T. will ask you is: "What is the Material of the Upper?" The software will give you four "Answer-Options" to choose from: Rubber/Plastic, Leather, Textile and Something Else (e.g., Composition Leather). When you select your answer, the T.D.T. will ask you the next question, which might be "What is the Material of the Outer Sole?" Again, you'll see several answer-options. The Q-&-A will continue with up to a dozen questions until the software arrives at the item's HTS Code.

How Do I Get My HTS Classification?
When the Tariff Decision Tree™ determines the item's HTS Code, it will display a "Results" page on which you will see the item's 10-digit HTS Code and associated NTR and GSP(A) duty rates (see below). With your browser's "Save/Print PDF" function, you'll be able to save to your hard drive (or print out) a PDF of the complete classification report, which, in addition to the HTS Code and duty rates, will include a summary of the characteristics of the item e.g., Athletic Shoe – Leather Upper – Rubber Sole – Over-the-Ankle – for Women.

A Word About How Country-of-Origin Affects the U.S. Import Duty Rate:
With rare exceptions, goods imported from China, Japan, Russia and the Member States of the European Union are dutiable at the so-called "Normal Trade Relations" (NTR) duty rate, which appears in the HTS next to each 10-digit HTS Code under "Rates of Duty – Column 1 – General." Goods from Canada (CA) and Mexico (MX) are dutiable at the NAFTA rate, and most goods from developing countries such as Vietnam, India and Brazil are duty free under the GSP tariff preference program. These duty rates appear under "Rates of Duty – Column 1 – Special." See General Note 3(c) of the HTS for a list of trade programs like GSP that provide special tariff treatment (usually much lower duty rates), and see General Note 4 for a list of developing countries.