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    How to Describe Goods Correctly

    An adequate goods description ensures smooth customs clearance, timely release by the authorities and compliance with regulations (excise goods). In certain countries such as Hungary (EKAER), Poland (SENT) and the United Kingdom (IPAFFS), pre-declaration is also required. In addition, detailed descriptions help with careful physical handling and prevent damage and contamination during transportation and storage.

    Is it a ring? Or is it an engagement ring? Specification matters.

    What does an adequate goods description look like?

    Hereafter, you will find an overview from the European Commission with examples of adequate and inadequate goods descriptions. It is not legally binding, but it is an explicit recommendation that is recognized by all customs authorities in Europe.

    1004, 1005, etc. (numbers) 

    Not accepted to be only numbers 

    WPX, .wpx (file extension) 

    File extensions are not accepted 

    XXX, … (three or more equal symbols or letters) 

    Not accepted to be only three or more equal symbols or letters 

    “.”, “-“, “ ” (empty characters) 

    Not accepted to be only empty characters 

    $%^&< > : " / \ | ? * (special characters) 

    Not accepted to be only special characters 

    !£12 (special characters and numbers)  

    Not accepted to be only special characters and numbers 

    Illustration of Mentos Cola and an explosion

    Which two goods should never be loaded together?


    Answer: Mentos and Cola.


    Now you can learn how to describe goods correctly once they are properly packaged:

    List of examples of acceptable and unacceptable goods descriptions

    Unacceptable Description

    Acceptable Description

    Accessories  

    Bathroom fittings, Lighting and electrical accessories, 

    Adapter  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Agricultural products 

    Oranges, Fish, Rice, Bread 

    Aid consignment 

    Blankets, Medications 

    Alcohol  

    Denatured industrial ethyl alcohol, undenatured industrial ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80 % vol., Whiskey, Rum 

    All kind of Cargo 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    All kind of Goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Animals  

    Horse, Poultry, Bovine 

    Apparel  

    Men's Shirts, Lingerie, Girls' Vests, Boys’ Jackets 

    Appliances  

    Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave Oven, Coffee Machines 

    Arms  

    Daggers, Machine guns 

    Articles  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Artwork  

    (Specify which type of Artwork: Bust, picture, bronze sculpture) 

    As ordered […] 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    As per attached [invoice] 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Attached [manifest] 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Auto  

    Ford Fiesta, VW Polo 

    Auto Parts 

    Automobile Brakes, Windshield Glass for Automobiles 

    Automobiles  

    Ford Fiesta, VW Polo 

    AWB/ HAWB 

    (See other specific examples in the table)

    Baggage  

    (See other specific examples in the table)

    Bags (or other types of packaging)

    (See other specific examples in the table)

    Battery

    Lithium batteries

    Bazaar goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Biological Substances 

    (See chemicals or other specific examples in the table) 

    Birthday gifts 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Bits  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Boards  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Box  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Cables  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Cars  

    Ford Fiesta, VW Polo 

    Case  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Caps  

    Plastic Caps 

    Cartons, CTN 

    New packaging made of carton, Cartons to be recycled, A4 print paper packaged in cartons 

    Charity  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Chemicals  

    The name mentioned in the ECICS database or the actual Chemicals name (not brand name) 

    Chemicals, flammable 

    The name mentioned in the ECICS database or the actual Chemicals name (not brand name) 

    Chemicals, hazardous 

    The name mentioned in the ECICS database or the actual Chemicals name (not brand name) 

    Chemicals, non-Hazardous 

    The name mentioned in the ECICS database or the actual Chemicals name (not brand name) 

    Cleaning products 

    Detergents  

    Clothes  

    Men's Shirts, Lingerie, Girls' Vests, Boys',Jackets 

    Clothing  

    Men's Shirts, Lingerie, Girls' Vests, Boys',Jackets 

    Collected items 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Commodity  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Company names 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Component  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Consol, CON, CNSL 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Consolidated cargo 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Consolidated goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Consolidated  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Consolidation  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Consumer  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Courier  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Courier bags 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Courier goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Courier material 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Unacceptable Description
    Acceptable Description

    Dangerous goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Decorative crafts 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Decorative items 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Decorations  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Didactic articles 

    Pencils, Smartboards, Books 

    Documents, Documentations, Docs, Dox 

    Passports (or any other kind of documents) 

    Drugs  

    Cough syrup, insulin doses, seasonal flu vaccine (preferably INN name for a pure substance) 

    Drums2  

    Empty plastic barrels for packaging, Liquid hand soap transported in drums 

    e-Commerce  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Electronic equipment 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Electronic goods 

    Computers, Televisions, CD Players, Walkmans, Tape Record, Mobile Phones, Monitors, Printers 

    Electronic items 

    Computers, Televisions, CD Players, Walkmans, Tape Record, Mobile Phones, Monitors, Printers 

    Electronics  

    Computers, Televisions, CD Players, Walkmans, Tape Record, Mobile Phones, Monitors, Printers 

    Equipment, EQP 

    Oil Well Equipment, Poultry equipment 

    Exhibition goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Express  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Firearm  

    Machine guns, Guns, Pistols 

    Fish  

    European Hake, Swordfish, Lobsters, Tuna 

    Food  

    Prepared cakes, Rice, Tomatoes sauce, Powdered eggs 

    Foodstuff  

    Beverages (See other examples for "Agricultural products") 

    Footwear  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Freight All Kinds 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Fresh Fruit 

    Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Pineapples 

    Fresh Herbs 

    Basil, Thyme, Parsley 

    Fresh Plants 

    Lavandula angustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis, Prunus avium 

    Fresh Vegetable 

    Broccoli, Tomatoes, Onions, Eggplants 

    From UPU Postal 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Fruit  

    Oranges, Pears, Bananas, Apples, Strawberries 

    Fruit products 

    Apricot pulp, Apple pulp, Mixed fruits pulp 

    Fruit Pulp 

    Apricot pulp, Apple pulp, Mixed fruits pulp 

    Fuel  

    Diesel fuel, Petrol, Gasoline 

    Unacceptable Description
    Acceptable Description

    Garments  

    Cotton T-shirts, Silk headscarves 

    General cargo 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    General goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    General merchandise 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Gift box 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Gifts  

    Dolls, Remote Control cars (describe type of gifts) 

    Gizmos  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Glass  

    Glass panel for windows, Glass blocks 

    Goods, GDS 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Granulate  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Handcraft  

    (Describe which type of Handicrafts -Vases, dishes, Necklaces, chairs-) 

    Handicraft  

    (Describe which type of Handicrafts -Vases, dishes, Necklaces, chairs-) 

    Handling codes 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Hardware for gift 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Herbs  

    Basil, Thyme, Parsley 

    Home goods 

    Plates, Dishes, Tableware, ( See also examples for "Appliances") 

    Household goods 

    Plates, Dishes, Tableware, ( See also examples for "Appliances") 

    Invoice  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    I.T. goods 

    (See examples for "Electronics") 

    Industrial products 

    (See examples for "Electronics") 

    Instruments  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Iron, Steel 

    Iron Pipes, Steel Pipes, Iron Building Material, Steel Building Material 

    Iso Tanks 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Unacceptable Description
    Acceptable Description

    Jewellery, Jewelry 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Jewels  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Joint shipping 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Label  

    Paper printed A4 labels, Plastic labels 

    Leather Articles 

    Saddles, Leather Handbags, Leather Jackets 

    Line  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Likewise  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Liquids, Fluids 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Live Animals 

    Dogs (Labrador retriever), Cows (Aberdeen angus) 

    Live plants 

    Lavandula angustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis, Prunus avium 

    Unacceptable Description
    Acceptable Description

    Machine parts 

    Pump, Seals, Engines 

    Machinery  

    Metal Working Machinery, Cigarette Making Machinery, Sewing Machines, Printing Machines 

    Machines  

    ( See Examples for "Machinery") 

    Mail  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Materials  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    MDF  

    MDF boards, wooden chipboard for MDF 

    Meat  

    Poultry meat, Beef meat, Pork meat, Lamb meat 

    Medical equipment 

    Band aids, Medical ventilator, blood sampling syringes 

    Medicines  

    Antiviral sprays, Viagra pills, Painkillers, Anti-inflammatories, Mucolytic (preferably INN name for a pure substance) 

    Merchandise, Merc. 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Metal  

    Iron scrap, Steel tubes, Aluminium wire 

    Miscellaneous products, Misc, Mixed, Mix 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Model  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    None  

    (Describe type of goods) 

    Non-Woven  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Odd parts 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Oil  

    Mineral oil, lubricating oil, vegetable oil, palm oil 

    Ore  

    Iron Ore, Copper Ore 

    Others  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Unacceptable Description
    Acceptable Description

    Pad  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Package numbers 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Pallets, PLT 

    Empty wooden pallets, Empty steel pallets for airfreight 

    Parcel  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Party accessories 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Parts  

    (See Examples for "Machine parts") 

    Perishables  

    Broccoli, Tomatoes, Chicken breasts 

    Personal address 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Personal effects 

    (See Examples in the Table) 

    Pharmaceutical  

    Cough syrup, insulin doses, seasonal flu vaccine (preferably INN name for a pure substance) 

    Pieces, pces 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Pipes  

    Plastic Pipes, Steel Pipes, Copper Pipes 

    Plants  

    Cut Christmas trees, Tulips bulbs, fresh Lavandula angustifolia in pots, cuttings of rosemary in pots 

    Plastic Goods 

    Plastic Kitchenware, Plastic House Ware 

    Plates  

    Vehicle registration plates, Iron plates 

    Polyurethane  

    Polyurethane Threads, Polyurethane Medical Gloves 

    Powder  

    Wheat flour type 00, Industrial icing sugar, Iron powder 

    Pre-addressed parcel 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Printed material 

    Paper labels with logo, Printed plastic fabric in rolls 

    Private things 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Produce  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Products  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Propellant  

    (See Examples for Chemicals) 

    PVC items 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Quilts  

    Cotton quilts (beddings) 

    Raw material 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Returned goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Rod  

    Welding Rod, Fuel Rod, Copper Rod 

    Rubber Articles 

    Rubber Hisses, Rubber Conveyor Belts 

    Unacceptable Description

    Acceptable Description

    Said to Contain 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Sample  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Samples for analysis 

    Blood sample for analysis, Salt (sodium chloride) for analysis 

    Sanitary goods 

    Towels, Buckets, Detergents, Tooth brushes 

    Scrap  

    Plastic Scrap, Foam Scrap, Iron Scrap 

    See [invoice] 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    See attached invoice 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Several  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Several goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Shoes  

    Men leather shoes, Women plastic sandals, Kids fabric shoes 

    Snickers  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Souvenirs  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Spare  

    (See Examples for "Machine parts") 

    Spare parts, SPPT 

    (See Examples for "Machine parts") 

    Sporting Goods 

    Football shoes, boxing gloves, surf board  

    Stuff  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Substance  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Tablet accessories 

    Plastic cases for tablets, Chargers for tablets 

    Tablets  

    iPad, Tablets Samsung 

    Technology  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Test  

    COVID-19 Quick tests, Leather shoes (sample), Recycled toilet paper (test shipment) 

    Textile goods 

    Cotton fabric in rolls, Polyester curtains, Cotton sheets 

    Textiles  

    Linen Fabric, T-shirts (See Examples for "Apparel) 

    Things  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Tires  

    New car tires 

    Tools  

    Hand Tools, Electric Tools 

    Toys  

    (See Examples for "Gifts") 

    Tubing  

    Copper tubes, Iron tubes 

    Uniform  

    Men's Shirts, Lingerie, Girls' Vests, Boys' Jackets 

    Unacceptable Description

    Acceptable Description

    Vaccine  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Various  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Various goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Various products 

    (See other specific examples in the Table) 

    Vegetables  

    Broccoli, Tomatoes, Onions, Eggplants 

    Vehicles  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Waste  

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Weapons  

    Daggers, Machine guns 

    Wearing apparel 

    Men's Shirts, Lingerie, Girls' Vests, Boys' Jackets 

    White goods 

    (See other specific examples in the table) 

    Wires  

    Iron and Steel Wire, Copper Wire 

    Wooden articles 

    Wooden furniture, Wooden kitchen utensils  

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