The customs diagnostic that secures your next import
In 5 to 10 working days, get a clear view of your risks, your priorities and the actions to take.
In 5 to 10 business days, we audit your next EU import — HS codes, origins, values, documents, risks — and hand you back a corrective plan before shipment.
When should you ask for a diagnostic?
The Ready-to-Import Diagnostic is built for four concrete situations faced by importing companies and non-EU producers. First import into the EU: you are launching a new line, a new supplier, a new market and want to avoid surprises at the border. Product or origin change: a new HS code, a new sourcing country, a new material composition rewrite your entire customs file. CBAM or MACF preparation: you fall within the scope of the new carbon mechanisms and need to verify your actual exposure before the first declaration. Preventive review: one of your past imports leaves you with a doubt, and you want to audit it before a post-clearance check does it for you. In these four cases, investing 5 to 10 days of preparation beats absorbing a reassessment, a fine, or a border block.
In these situations, an early diagnosis can prevent significant costs.
What we review
The diagnostic covers one real import operation, chosen with you because it is representative of your flows.
- Tariff classification: the HS code used, its justification, consistency with the nomenclature in force.
- Origin: non-preferential and preferential origin, available proofs, conditions for applying an agreement.
- Customs value: the method used, elements to add or deduct, consistency with your invoicing.
- Documents: invoices, packing list, transport documents (CMR, AWB, B/L), licences and certificates.
- Procedures and regimes: the declared regime, required authorisations, impact of the agreed Incoterms.
- Related regulatory obligations: CBAM, EUDR, marking, product standards depending on your goods.
What you receive
At the end of the Diagnostic, you walk away with three structured, actionable documents — not a generic PDF.
Data-document matrix
A cross-table of each declarative data point (HS code, origin, value, Incoterm, weight, packaging, certifications) against the document that justifies it (invoice, certificate of origin, technical sheet, contract). At a glance, you see what is solid and what is missing.
Pre-shipment corrective plan
An actionable list of corrections to make before goods leave origin: documents to complete, mentions to add, certifications to request, classifications to arbitrate, steps to initiate. Each action is prioritised and timeline-referenced.
Customs and regulatory risk map
Identification of the sensitive points specific to your import: ambiguous HS classification, questionable customs value, non-preferential origin, CBAM exposure, sanitary or technical constraints, sanctions, quotas. Each risk is scored on severity and likelihood.
What is included, and what is not
What is included
- The analysis of one representative import operation: tariff classification, origin, customs value, transport documents, licences and certificates.
- The diagnostic report and its prioritised action plan.
- A debrief session with your team.
What is not included
- Filing declarations: CTB Group does not act as a customs representative and does not file on your behalf.
- The correction of the gaps identified, which is the subject of separate support.
- The collection of data from your suppliers, which we can organise at a later stage.
Indicative lead time
Allow 5 to 10 working days between receipt of your documents and the debrief. The lead time depends on the number of references to review and on the availability of supporting documents: we confirm a firm date at the scoping stage.
How it works, step by step
Scoping
A one-hour call to understand your import: product, supplier, route, volumes, deadline. Together we define the exact scope of the diagnostic and the list of documents we need.
Document collection
You upload through a secure space: pro forma invoices, technical sheets, existing certificates, contracts, samples of past documents if relevant. We acknowledge receipt and flag any blocking gaps immediately.
Analysis
Our team works in the background: HS verification, customs value calculation, preferential or non-preferential origin check, exposure to trade defence measures, CBAM where applicable, sanctions, SPS and CE requirements. We cross-check with TARIC, Access2Markets, REX, CERTEX.
Debrief
A 90-minute call, in French, Dutch, English, Portuguese or Spanish according to your preference. We walk through the matrix, the risk map and the corrective plan. You ask your questions. You leave with the three deliverables in PDF and spreadsheet format.
What you avoid
A poorly prepared import is rarely free. A post-clearance reassessment on customs value can exceed several thousand euros per declaration. A wrong HS code triggers duties you did not budget, or worse, makes you miss a tariff preference you were entitled to. Poorly documented origin invalidates the preferential agreement and pushes you back to MFN duty, sometimes two to three times higher. A CBAM gap since 2026 exposes you to both sanctions and the inability to import the goods at all. A border block on a documentary defect freezes your goods, your cash and your client relationship. The cost of a Diagnostic is, in every case, lower than a single one of these incidents.
What happens after the diagnostic
You are free to carry out the action plan with your own teams and usual partners: the report is written to be usable without us.
If you would rather be supported, three follow-ups are possible: correcting the gaps identified, setting up monthly monitoring with the Control Tower, or a dedicated pack if the diagnostic reveals a specific issue — CBAM or customs systems transition.
FAQ
No. The diagnostic is designed to run in parallel with your operations. We work on a representative sample of your flows.
Ideally, the person who handles shipments operationally (logistics / purchasing) and the person who manages strategic procurement. A total of 3-4 hours of availability over the diagnostic period.
The AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) audit is geared towards full certification and aims to obtain a favourable customs status. Our diagnostic is operational and flow-oriented: it spots concrete risks on your real shipments. The two are complementary.
Ready to secure your next operation?
The diagnostic starts with a free 30-minute conversation, to frame the scope and check that this is the right starting point.