Does the EU use one customs tariff?

EU member states apply the Common Customs Tariff and TARIC measures uniformly for goods entering the EU customs territory. National VAT and excise treatment can still differ.

What is the difference between CN and TARIC?

The Combined Nomenclature is the EU eight-digit classification base. TARIC adds EU customs measures, additional codes and trade-policy conditions used for customs declarations.

Does the EU code determine VAT?

No. TARIC does not contain national VAT or excise rates. VAT depends on the member state and transaction facts.

EU CN & TARIC Code Lookup

How EU tariff classification works

The European Union uses the international six-digit Harmonized System, extends it into the eight-digit Combined Nomenclature, and applies TARIC measures for customs declarations. A product title alone may not identify the final provision: material, function, construction, composition and origin can change the result.

1Identify the international HS heading and relevant legal notes.
2Follow the EU Combined Nomenclature to the eight-digit CN base.
3Check TARIC duty, preferences, quotas and trade-defence measures for the origin country.
4Keep customs duty separate from the destination member state's VAT and excise rules.

Use the classifier for a product or catalog

Ontonexa returns a ranked CN/TARIC starting point and highlights the facts still needed. EU results intentionally say when TARIC verification is required instead of inventing an origin-specific rate.

Need an exact EU result?

Include material, principal function, composition, origin and any product specifications that may change the tariff branch.

Open the EU classification workspace →