Prioritizing inspections effectively<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/p>\n
When descriptions are too generic, customs must resort to physical examinations of consignments to determine their true nature\u2014causing unnecessary delays, increased costs, and supply chain disruptions for compliant traders.<\/p>\n
Key principle:<\/strong> If a commodity code is not provided (common in safety and security declarations), the plain-language description becomes the primary risk-assessment tool<\/strong>. Generic terms like “consolidated cargo,” “general goods,” “parts,” or “freight of all kinds” are explicitly prohibited.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Legal Framework and Official Guidance<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe requirement for acceptable goods descriptions is established in:<\/p>\n
\n- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015\/2446<\/strong> (Annex B and Annex D)<\/li>\n
- Data Element 18 05 000 000<\/strong> (‘Description of goods’)<\/li>\n
- Data Element 6\/8<\/strong> (goods description for certain procedures)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
The regulation states: “General terms (i.e. ‘consolidated’, ‘general cargo’, ‘parts’ or ‘freight of all kinds’) cannot be accepted. A non-exhaustive list of such general terms and descriptions is published by the Commission.”<\/em><\/p>\nImportant note:<\/strong> The list of stop words is dynamic and non-exhaustive<\/strong>. As everyday customs practice reveals new unacceptable terms, the Commission updates the list in coordination with Member States. This means declarants must stay vigilant and apply the underlying principle: be specific, be clear, be accurate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Fundamental Principles for Acceptable Descriptions<\/strong><\/h3>\nFor Goods Descriptions:<\/strong><\/h4>\nDO:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Use specific product names: “Men’s cotton T-shirts” instead of “Clothing”<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Include materials: “Plastic kitchenware” instead of “Kitchen items”<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Specify types: “Lithium batteries” instead of “Batteries”<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Name actual products: “Apple iPhone 13” instead of “Electronics”<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Be precise about function: “Medical ventilator” instead of “Medical equipment”<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
DON’T:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Use generic categories (e.g., “Goods,” “Products,” “Items,” “Materials”)<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Reference documents (“See invoice,” “As per manifest,” “AWB”)<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Use placeholders (“Various,” “Mixed,” “Misc,” “Consolidated”)<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Enter only numbers, file extensions, or special characters<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Use company names or brand names alone without product description<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3101″ img_size=”full”][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
For Party Information (Consignor\/Consignee\/Notify Party):<\/strong><\/h3>\nDO:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Provide actual company names and registered business names<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Include complete legal entity information<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Use real addresses with proper street names and numbers<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
DON’T:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Use placeholders like “N\/A,” “Unknown,” “Not available,” “Please select”<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Enter “Private,” “Private individual,” “xxxx,” or “2checkout”<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Leave fields blank or use generic terms<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3102″ img_size=”full”][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
For Addresses and Cities:<\/strong><\/h3>\nDO:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Provide actual city names and postal codes<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Include complete street addresses<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Use officially recognized place names<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
DON’T:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Use “N\/A,” “Unknown,” “Not available,” “Please select”<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Enter “Private,” “xxxx,” or “2checkout”<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Use placeholder or dummy addresses<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3103″ img_size=”full”][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Examples: Unacceptable vs. Acceptable Descriptions<\/strong><\/h3>\nLet’s look at practical examples drawn from the official EU Commission guidance:<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\nUnacceptable<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/th>\n\nAcceptable<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/th>\n\nWhy It Matters<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\nElectronics<\/strong><\/td>\nComputer monitors, Samsung tablets, iPhone 13 Pro<\/strong><\/td>\n\u201cElectronics\u201d could refer to anything from toys to weapons.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nMachinery<\/strong><\/td>\nCNC milling machines, industrial sewing machines<\/strong><\/td>\nDuty rates vary significantly by machinery type.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nParts<\/strong><\/td>\nAutomobile brake pads, laptop replacement screens<\/strong><\/td>\n\u201cParts\u201d gives no indication of what\u2019s actually being shipped.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nChemicals<\/strong><\/td>\nSodium hydroxide (CAS 1310-73-2), Acetone<\/strong><\/td>\nSafety and hazard classification depends on the exact substance.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nFood<\/strong><\/td>\nPackaged rice, frozen chicken breasts, tomato sauce<\/strong><\/td>\nSanitary controls differ by food type.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nTextiles<\/strong><\/td>\nMen\u2019s cotton shirts (HS 6205.20), polyester curtains<\/strong><\/td>\nQuota and preference rules depend on textile classification.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nConsolidated<\/strong><\/td>\nToys (dolls), Books (novels), Kitchen utensils (spatulas)<\/strong><\/td>\nRisk assessment requires knowing each item\u2019s actual contents.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nGeneral cargo<\/strong><\/td>\nSteel pipes, wooden furniture, plastic containers<\/strong><\/td>\nEach item has different duty, safety, and import requirements.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nAccessories<\/strong><\/td>\nSmartphone charging cables, tablet protective cases<\/strong><\/td>\n| \u201cAccessories\u201d is too vague for accurate tariff classification.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Complete ICS2 Stop Words Reference Table<\/strong><\/h3>\nBelow is the comprehensive official list<\/strong> of stop words that are unacceptable<\/strong> in customs declarations. This list is based on the European Commission’s published guidance (TAXUD b.1(2021)1688480) and is updated regularly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Goods Description Stop Words<\/strong><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n \n\n\n\nCategory<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/th>\n\nUnacceptable Terms<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/th>\n\nSource<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n\nGeneric Goods Terms<\/strong><\/td>\nAccessories<\/strong><\/td>\nInitial list<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| \u00a0<\/td>\n | Adapter<\/strong><\/td>\nInitial list<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| \u00a0<\/td>\n | Agricultural products<\/strong><\/td>\nInitial list<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| \u00a0<\/td>\n | Aid consignment<\/strong><\/td>\nInitial list<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| \u00a0<\/td>\n | All kind of Cargo<\/strong><\/td>\nInitial list<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| \u00a0<\/td>\n | All kind of Goods<\/strong><\/td>\nInitial list<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| \u00a0<\/td>\n | Apparel<\/strong><\/td>\nInitial list<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| \u00a0<\/td>\n | Appliances<\/strong><\/td>\nInitial list<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| \u00a0<\/td>\n | Articles<\/strong><\/td>\nInitial list<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |