AMENDING THE COMBINED NOMENCLATURE (CN)

The Combined Nomenclature (CN) is the 8-digit Trade Classification System, used by the European Union for Statistical and Tariff purposes. The system is directly linked to the 6-digit Harmonised System (HS) used by the vast majority of trading nations throughout the world.

There are many reasons why interested parties from both the Public and Private Sectors may require changes to the CN:

To identify new products - Technological or commercial; to specifically measure goods - or Sectors - for a variety of reasons; or, to monitor Tariff Measures at EU or WTO/WCO levels.

Proposals are considered by representatives from each MemberState that go to form the Customs Code Committee (CCC). The Committee meets or communicates on-line from September to May, with a final vote usually made in July. The changes are implemented from the following January.

CHANGING THE CN - WHAT TO DO

But firstly, please note: Given the perceived ‘high turnover’ of code changes within the CN over the years – and the apparent resulting burden to providers of statistical information, declarents etc – Eurostat and the Commission have proposed a period of stability in line with HS timetable between 2012 and 2017. It is hoped that requested changes would only be considered for 2017, and changes between these dates minimized to accommodate only urgent EU requirements.

It is always best, where possible, to obtain the support of the associated European Federation – who should then forward the request, with the details described below, to Mr Jussi Ala-Kihnia of Eurostat at:

Directorate G4 (International Trade Statistics, - Production), Bâtiment Joseph Bech, 5 Rue Alphonse Weicker, L-2721 Luxembourg

OR, preferably, by Email at::

European Federations are sometimes able to identify national Trade Associations who can in turn lobby their own national representatives.

  1. Provide a statement describing the reasons for the request.
  1. Provide anticipated trade level statistics for new codes. As a guide, an approximate minimum annual threshold that each new code must reach is 50m Euros for all trade, i.e.. Imports, Arrivals, Exports and Dispatches. (Imports = total into the EU from non-EU countries; Arrivals = total into each EU country from other EU countries; Exports = total from EU countries to non-EU countries; Dispatches = total from each EU country to other EU countries.)
  1. Provide a proposed structure of how the revised CN would appear in relation to the current version - being careful to not to effect changes at 6 digit HS level (if you do wish to instigate change at the higher HS level you will need to make your proposal as early as possible within the HS round, e.g. for 2017, proposals should be made in 2012 etc) , and acknowledging existing Tariff arrangements. To add weight when requesting new codes, counter propose codes no longer required. This is essential as the Commission is committed to simplifying and reducing the current number of codes which are largely considered unwieldy.
  1. Provide details of support from other interested parties.
  1. Provide evidence to show that the new products are easily identifiable in their own right (this is a key requirement).
  1. Preferably provide versions of the proposal in three different languages - English, French and German.
  1. Provide contact details of a designated expert who would be prepared to give additional information (if required) when the document is addressed.
  1. Provide details in accordance with the timetable.

The UK representation is coordinated by Mark Gammon, who should be contacted in the first instance. Full details are:

Postal address: HM Revenue and Customs

Trades Statistics unit,

3rd Floor South Central, Alexander House

21 Victoria Avenue, Southend-on -Sea

Essex SS99 1AA

Telephone:+44 (0)1702 366655

Fax:+44 (0)1702 366596

E-Mail: