Study Guide

Once the classifier has determined as much as possible about the subject goods, the next step is to translate that identification into Nomenclature terminology. Taking this step, the classifier should list all possible areas in the Nomenclature where the goods may fall.

Useful questions at this stage

•         What are the goods?

•         How do they perform their task?

•         What are the goods made of? (This may point to materials chapters.)

Keep an open mind and locate all possible areas where the goods may be classified. Do not just concentrate on one particular area that you consider is the obvious answer. Experience has shown that the most successful classifiers are those who can “think outside the circle” and can “cast their net wide”.

When locating areas of the Nomenclature, classifiers need to be mindful of the terminology that is contained in the document. There’s no point, for example, identifying something as a “souvenir” or a “promotional item” because those words are not contained in the document.

Three chapters to always check

Chapters 42, 83 and 96 cover a range of largely unrelated goods. Check them every time, at least until their contents are familiar.

42 Chapter 42 Articles of leather, saddles, harness, travel goods, handbags, and articles of animal gut.

83 Chapter 83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal: padlocks, safes, buckles, electrodes, paper clips, bells, filing cabinets.

96 Chapter 96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles: pens, smoking pipes, brushes, combs, stamp pads, tailors' mannequins.

It is good classification practice to ensure nothing is hiding in these areas.