GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026
customs tariff structure
Before any duty rate can be applied, goods must be placed within the customs tariff structure – the hierarchical framework that organises all tariff headings by commodity type, material composition, and intended use.
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Source: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tariffs_e/tariff_e.htm
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Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?
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Definition & Explanation
Before any duty rate can be applied, goods must be placed within the customs tariff structure – the hierarchical framework that organises all tariff headings by commodity type, material composition, and intended use. It forms the backbone of every national and supranational customs schedule, linking each position to applicable duty rates, preferential treatment under trade agreements, and measures such as anti-dumping duties or tariff quotas. In day-to-day freight forwarding, a thorough understanding of the tariff structure is essential for accurate duty calculation, correct documentation, and trade agreement compliance. The structure itself should not be confused with an individual tariff number: the structure is the system, the number a specific entry within it.
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