Classify on the fly

HS codes are critical for accurately calculating duties and taxes and meeting customs requirements. Understanding how HS codes are used within the Zonos flow is crucial as they play a large part in international trade. This guide highlights the sequence of selecting HS codes, including the benefits of Zonos Classify, and fallback HS codes.

Classify on the fly

Classify on the fly is a feature that generates HS codes when a product-specific HS code is not provided at time of checkout. By leveraging Zonos Classify, Zonos will use whatever item details are passed through at the time of checkout, including name, description, categories, material, and country of origin, to generate an HS code. This auto-classification is based on a confidence score established by Zonos. If the score does not meet the required threshold, your store's fallback HS code will be applied.

Note: These auto-classifications will be one-time classifications and are not saved off or stored in your Catalog.

HS code selection 

Zonos Catalog is the recommended and efficient solution for storing product-specific HS codes, ensuring compatibility with all Zonos products and services. If you cannot store HS codes in Catalog, consult our list of supported platforms to ensure compatibility for retrieving product-specific HS codes from your ecommerce platform.

The process for selecting HS codes for calculations is as follows:

1. Provided HS code: If an HS code is provided at the time of calculation, Zonos will use Classify to verify its validity against the current tariff schedule of the specified ship-to country. If valid, it will be used. If the provided HS code is invalid or only partially correct, Zonos will re-classify or complete the classification using Classify. The source for this HS code will appear as "User provided" or "Hybrid" if corrected or completed by Classify.
2. Zonos Catalog check: If an HS code is not provided, Zonos will check for product-specific codes in the Zonos Catalog, starting with country-specific HS codes. If a country-specific code is unavailable, the universal code will be used. The source for this HS code will also appear as "User provided" or "Hybrid" if corrected or completed by Classify.
3. Ecommerce platform check: If no HS code is found in the Zonos Catalog, Zonos will check your ecommerce platform's catalog for the product-specific HS code. The source for this HS code will also appear as "User provided" or "Hybrid" if corrected or completed by Classify.
4. Classify on the fly: If neither catalog source provides an HS code, Zonos will automatically classify items in real-time during checkout using Classify on the fly. The source for this HS code will appear as "Zonos Classify."
5. Fallback HS code: If the confidence score from Classify on the fly does not meet the required threshold set by Zonos, the fallback HS code for your store will be used. The source for this HS code will appear as "Zonos fallback HS code."

HS code source 

The source of the HS code used for each order is available via Dashboard and via API.

Fallback HS code 

Fallback HS codes are utilized by Zonos for landed cost calculations, commercial invoices, and shipping labels when product-specific codes are either not provided or do not meet the confidence score set by Zonos. Each store is assigned a single fallback HS code.

This fallback HS code can be modified if desired, as long as the supplied HS code is valid and is at least 6-digits. If your fallback HS code is longer than 6-digits, a destination country is required for tariff validation.

To modify your fallback HS code:

1. Go to Dashboard -> Settings -> Customs.
2. Add your fallback HS code in the Fallback HS code box.
3. Click Save default customs info.