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Origin and trade agreements

How to write product descriptions customs accept

What customs needs in a goods description: what the item is, its material and its use, the terms US and EU filings reject, and bad versus good examples.

Updated · 7 official sources

A product description customs accepts says what the item is, what it's made of and what it's for, in plain words specific enough to point to one tariff line; brand names alone, marketing copy and catch-all words like "gift" or "accessories" get filings rejected. The description is also what the HS code is chosen from, so a vague one costs you twice.

Rules as of 30 October 2026.

What does customs need in a description?#

Customs needs a description that lets an officer identify the goods without opening the box. US rules ask every invoice for a detailed description with the name each item is known by, its grade or quality and its marks, and EU law asks for a plain language description precise enough for customs to identify the goods.

In practice that comes down to a few facts, and each one maps to how the tariff is built:

Fact Why customs needs it Example
What the item is Headings name articles "T-shirt", not "top"
Material, with percentages Many headings and subheadings split by material "100% cotton", "60% cotton, 40% polyester"
How it's made, where it matters Knitted and woven clothing are in different chapters "knitted"
Who it's for and how it's used Lines split by men's, women's and children's goods, or by use "men's", "for dogs"
How it works Powered and unpowered goods often sit in different headings "battery-powered"

Some goods need more on a US invoice. For textile clothing, the invoice must give the fiber content by weight for the whole garment and for the shell and lining, and for footwear it must give the materials of the upper and the sole by surface area.

Which descriptions get rejected?#

Descriptions get rejected when they name a category instead of a product. CBP began rejecting vague descriptions in its air cargo advance filings on 12 November 2024, and its examples include "gift", "daily necessities", "accessories" and "parts", with "consolidated" allowed only on master bills. EU rules refuse general terms such as "consolidated", "general cargo", "parts" and "freight of all kinds".

Both authorities publish lists of unacceptable and acceptable wording, and both say their lists are examples, not the full set. The pattern is the same everywhere: replace the category with the thing in the box.

Rejected or weak Better
Gift Ceramic coffee mug, 350 ml
Accessories Women's sunglasses, plastic frames
Clothing Men's T-shirts, knitted, 100% cotton
Electronics Wireless earbuds with charging case
Parts Bicycle disc brake pads
Acme X200 Acme X200 cordless drill, 18 V, lithium-ion battery
Daily necessities Plastic hair combs
Sample Women's leather ankle boots, sample, 1 pair

A brand name on its own is on CBP's list of unacceptable descriptions; with the generic name added, it's fine. A long description isn't the goal either. CBP asks for a description that is clear and concise, and for nothing else in the field: no packaging types, carrier disclaimers or personal information.

What makes a description classify well?#

A description classifies well when it answers the questions the tariff asks at each level. Chapters split goods by material and construction, headings by what the article is, and subheadings by material, user or use, so a description that states all three lands on one line instead of two or three possible ones, each with its own rate.

"Shirt" is a good example of what's at stake. On a $30 shirt entering the US, the general duty rate depends on what the word hides:

What "shirt" actually was HTS line General rate Duty on $30
Knitted cotton T-shirt 6109.10.00 16.5% $4.95
Men's knitted cotton shirt, not a T-shirt 6105.10.00 19.7% $5.91
Men's woven cotton shirt 6205.20.20 19.7% $5.91

These are general rates before any additional duty for the country of origin. A description that says "men's T-shirt, knitted, 100% cotton" leaves one answer. The HS code classifier asks for exactly these facts and flags results it isn't sure of.

What should a description leave out?#

A description should leave out anything that doesn't help identify the goods: marketing adjectives, internal SKU codes on their own, colors and sizes unless they change the classification, and personal data. CBP's guidance says the description field should hold only the description of the goods, without packaging details, carrier disclaimers or personally identifiable information.

Store titles are written to sell, so they rarely work as customs descriptions. "Cloud-soft everyday essential tee" says nothing about the fabric, and "Bundle deal: 3 for 2" says nothing at all. Keep a separate customs description for each product in your catalog, next to its HS code and country of origin, and reuse it on every commercial invoice. For goods sold together in one box, see sets, kits and bundles.

Common questions#

Is an HS code enough without a description?#

Usually not. CBP's advance air cargo rules accept either a precise description or a 6-digit HTS code, but invoices and entries still need a description of the goods, and the EU asks for a plain language description in its declarations.

Can I use the product title from my store?#

Only if it already says what the item is and what it's made of. Most store titles need rewriting into the plain name, material and use.

What happens if a description is too vague?#

The filing can be rejected or the goods held for examination. The European Commission's guidance warns that vague descriptions can lead to physical examinations and delays while customs works out what the goods are.

Sources#