Why companies need to rethink how they manage tariff classification

Jakub Dobrzynski
Jakub Dobrzynski
Customs Expert Lead, MBA in Customs Process Management, Poland
Ilona Mishchenko
Ilona Mishchenko
Associate Professor of the Maritime, Customs and Information Law Department, National University "Odesa Law Academy", Ukraine
Published 12 Jul 2026
Why companies need to rethink how they manage tariff classification
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This article examines why tariff classification errors persist in many companies, revealing that the root cause is often not a lack of customs knowledge, but rather weak processes, poor product data, and ambiguous responsibilities. Based on a case study of an international manufacturer, it identifies where the greatest risks lie and how organisations can improve control. The article draws on the findings of Jakub Dobrzynski's Master's project, which was carried out at Vytautas Magnus University.