Question 1

What is a CBP ruling?

Accepted Answer

A CBP ruling is an official decision issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that interprets how goods should be classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). Rulings cover tariff classification, country of origin, valuation, marking requirements, and trade program eligibility. They are legally binding on CBP for the specific transaction they address and serve as persuasive precedent for similar goods.

Question 2

How do I search CBP CROSS for rulings?

Accepted Answer

Enter a keyword, HTS code, or ruling number in the search box above to query the CROSS (Customs Rulings Online Search System) database. The database contains over 220,000 rulings. You can search by product description (e.g., "steel pipe"), tariff code (e.g., "7208.51"), ruling number (e.g., "N123456"), or trade agreement terms (e.g., "USMCA automotive").

Question 3

What is the difference between NY and HQ rulings?

Accepted Answer

NY (New York) rulings are classification decisions issued by CBP's National Commodity Specialist Division and address how specific goods should be classified under the HTS. HQ (Headquarters) rulings are binding decisions from CBP Headquarters that cover classification, valuation, and country of origin, and carry greater legal weight. There are also W rulings for USMCA/NAFTA origin determinations and H rulings for internal advice from field offices.

Question 4

How are tariff classification rulings used?

Accepted Answer

Importers, customs brokers, and trade attorneys cite CBP rulings to support their classification positions when entering goods into the United States. Rulings provide binding precedent for the specific transaction and persuasive precedent for similar goods, helping establish the correct HTS code, duty rate, and eligibility for preferential trade programs.

CBP Rulings Search

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