Tariff & Classification Accurate classification you can rely on
With our tariff & classification tool FORMAT-TCT, you can quickly and easily classify your goods in the customs tariff and classify your dual-use goods.
For most organisations, classifying goods for customs and screening dual‑use items are everyday obligations, but ensuring consistent compliance is time‑consuming and hard to fit into existing processes. FORMAT‑TCT streamlines the work: it guides you to the right tariff codes, automates dual‑use controls, and records every decision for full traceability. With flexible ERP integration and tools to uplift master data quality, you cut manual effort, minimise errors, and stay audit‑ready.
Features
Features overview
Unified
All technical content consolidated in one software, with a presentation of general regulations, complete documentation and extensive search functions.
Secure
Always up-to-date thanks to the automated update service, change notifications and support help to prevent errors. ICP compliance and 4-eyes principle ensure security.
Efficient
Multiple feeder systems and data sources can be integrated. Individual or batch processing, time control and rules make work easier every day.
Flexible
You can design your own system with user-defined filters and field properties. The data converter enables a simple and flexible data connection.
Functions
Functions
- Carry out the classification of your goods quickly and easily. The functional contents for the following countries / associations of states are available to you (see licence model). All data are carefully checked by our FORMAT content team and provided in an automated process. Prepare modified commodity codes for the change of the year and convert them at the push of a button.
- Whether exporting or importing: the general and country-specific measure codes are automatically determined based on your commodity code. This allows you to quickly find the correct document coding.
- FORMAT-TCT also specialises in the classification of EU and US goods. With the solution, you can also check against the Chemical Weapons List (CWL) or manage lists of countries with embargoes on goods. The conversion directory makes these checks even easier.
- Whether your are organising, changing or merging multiple ERP systems – the article management of FORMAT-TCT helps to manage your article master. Data fields can be changed, supplemented, refilled or harmonised – individually or in batches.
- Design your processes clearly by assigning the various tasks to the right people directly in the software.
Technical
functions
- Connection of multiple article management systems (bidirectionally possible)
- Processing of different data formats (e.g. CSV, XML, ODBC, SOAP)
- Playback of validated results
- Change monitoring / history
- Configurable data converter
Video
Customer projects
“The reasons we have been working with FORMAT for over 30 years: their excellent service and in-depth understanding of customs issues, as well as their consistently innovative and reliable solutions.”
Leo Pedde, Head of Customs and Foreign Trade / Logistics Administration, BETTY BARCLAY GROUP
Is FORMAT‑TCT too extensive for your needs? We’ve got the answer:
FORMAT‑TCT easy — correct commodity codes, made easy
FORMAT‑TCT easy is a workflow‑driven commodity code classification system. It captures, manages and organises all relevant data and information.
Use its powerful research tools to classify your goods quickly and compliantly — with a complete audit trail.
- Quick to implement: installation and training in one day
- Access to a wide range of information sources
- Rapid assignment of the correct commodity codes for your goods
- Extensive filtering options
- Full audit trail of each classification decision
- Year‑end updates at the touch of a button: prepare changes to commodity codes with ease
Workflow
Workflow stages of a goods line in FORMAT‑TCT
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What functions does FORMAT‑TCT offer for the classification of goods?
- FORMAT‑TCT enables the classification of EU and US goods, screening of items against the Chemical Weapons List (CWL), and the management of country embargoes.
- The software also supports users with a correlation table that simplifies the checking and adjustment of commodity codes.
- All data are reviewed and provided by a specialised content team.
Which control lists are relevant when classifying dual‑use items?
For companies in the EU, at least two control lists are relevant: Annex I to the EU Dual‑Use Regulation and national dual‑use lists. In addition, each EU Member State has national military goods (munitions) lists that must also be taken into account.
What are dual‑use goods and why is their classification important?
Dual‑use goods are products, software or technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. Their classification is important to ensure they do not fall into unauthorised hands or are used for unauthorised purposes, which could breach international export control laws.
How do I find the correct commodity code for my products?
The correct commodity code can be determined by using tools such as EZT‑Online or the conversion directory (Umschlüsselungsverzeichnis). These tools are organised by commodity code and assist with classification in the customs tariff. It is important to know the technical details of the product in order to make the correct classification.
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