As global supply chains become increasingly complex and tariff landscapes shift unpredictably, the traditional approach to Harmonized System (HS) product classification is breaking down. IDC research reveals that companies using manual classification processes spend 60% more time on compliance activities. Here’s how we got here — and where the industry is headed.
Era 1: Physical inspection and printed tariff schedules (Pre-1988)
Era 2: The harmonized system changes everything (1988)
Era 3: Digitization and the electronic filing era (1990s)
Era 4: Rule-based expert systems arrive (Late 1990s–Early 2000s)
Era 5: Machine learning enters the picture (2010s)
Era 6: The AI era — Classification as a strategic function (2018–Present)
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