How It Works - HTS Code Auditor

Upload Your CBP Entry Summary (Form 7501)

Upload your Form 7501 PDF or paste line-item data from your ACE portal export. We accept PDFs, text files, and CSV exports. The more line items provided, the more comprehensive the analysis.

CBP Form 7501 PDF (Entry Summary)
ACE portal CSV exports
Commercial invoices with HTS codes
Pasted entry line-item data

All uploaded data is encrypted in transit using TLS 1.3 and deleted after analysis. We never store your entry data.

AI Cross-References Against CROSS Rulings Database

Our AI model has been trained on the complete Harmonized Tariff Schedule and analyzes each line item against the CBP CROSS database of 200,000+ Binding Rulings.

Unlike keyword matching, the AI understands product descriptions at a semantic level - catching misclassifications that are impossible to find without deep subject matter expertise.

17,000+

HTS schedule codes analyzed

200K+

CBP CROSS Binding Rulings

Review Your Overpayment Findings

For each misclassified line item, you receive:

Exact HTS code comparison - declared vs. correct classification
Specific Binding Ruling numbers (e.g., HQ H301234, NY N312456)
Estimated annual duty savings based on your declared values
Legal basis - GRI rules applied and Chapter Notes cited
Confidence rating - high/medium/low based on ruling precedent strength

Free tier shows your single highest-confidence finding. Paid tier shows all findings across your full entry history.

Get Your Form 19 Protest Letter (Paid Tier)

The paid tier generates a complete, filing-ready CBP Form 19 Protest Letter under 19 USC 1514. This is the formal legal document required to recover overpaid duties.

Your protest letter includes:

Proper 19 CFR Part 174 formatting
All required statutory citations (19 USC 1514, 19 USC 1520)
Binding Ruling citations as legal authority
GRI analysis and Chapter Note arguments
Licensed customs attorney review before delivery

See Pricing Details

The Legal Framework

Why This Works - The Legal Authority

Customs duty recovery is a well-established legal process with clear statutory authority.

19 USC 1514

Right to Protest

Federal statute giving importers the right to protest CBP classification decisions within 180 days of liquidation. This is your fundamental legal right - CBP must respond to protests.

19 CFR Part 174

Protest Regulations

The regulatory framework governing how protests must be filed, what information is required, and the timeline for CBP response. Our protest letters strictly follow these requirements.

CROSS Database

Binding Ruling Authority

CBP Binding Rulings are official classification decisions that CBP itself must honor. When we cite a ruling that supports your reclassification, CBP is legally bound by it.

Important: HTS Code Auditor provides informational analysis only. This is not legal advice. Classification decisions and protest filings should be made in consultation with a licensed customs broker or attorney. The 180-day protest deadline is absolute - there are no extensions.

Common Questions

How It Works - FAQ

Does this require a customs broker?

No. The audit itself requires no customs broker. Our AI provides the analysis. However, for the actual protest filing (paid tier), we recommend having a licensed customs broker or attorney review the protest letter, which is why our paid tier includes licensed attorney review before delivery.

How accurate are the findings?

We rate each finding by confidence level (high/medium/low). High-confidence findings are backed by directly applicable Binding Rulings - CBP's own official classification decisions for similar products. We only surface findings where there is clear legal authority, not speculative reclassifications. Our approval rate for high-confidence protests has been above 80%.

How far back can I claim refunds?

The 180-day protest window runs from the date CBP liquidates each entry. Once liquidated, you have exactly 180 days. Entries that liquidated more than 180 days ago cannot be recovered via protest. However, you can analyze entries that haven't yet been liquidated or that were liquidated within the protest window, which can represent significant current-year savings.

What happens after the protest is filed?

CBP must respond to your protest within 2 years. If approved, CBP will reliquidate the entry and issue a refund of the excess duties paid, typically within 60-90 days of approval. If denied, you can appeal to the Court of International Trade (CIT) within 180 days of the denial.

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How HTS Code Auditor Works