2025 CN Updates Unveiled: What’s New, What’s Changed, and How It Affects You

With over 200 new TARIC codes, these updates span several key areas of interest and impact various industries. Here's a detailed look at the changes.

What Questions We Will Answer in this blog

• What are the fundamental changes to the 2025 CN?

• How Do These Changes Affect You?

• How to prepare for the 2025 CN Updates? Actionable Steps for Customs Compliance

  
  

Introduction

The European Union (EU) has released the 2025 Combined Nomenclature (CN), ushering in a fresh wave of changes to how customs professionals categorize goods. These updates include over 200 new TARIC codes and have significant implications for industries ranging from technology to agriculture and biofuels. Understanding the changes is essential for maintaining compliance and finding opportunities to optimise operations.

“Staying on top of changes in customs classification is not only about compliance but about seizing opportunities to optimise your operations.” — Arne Mielken, Managing Director of Customs Manager Ltd

Abbreviations We Use in This Blog

To simplify, here are the main terms used throughout:

• CN: Combined Nomenclature – the system the EU uses to classify goods for customs purposes.

• EU: European Union – the governing body introducing these updates.

• ITA: Information Technology Agreement – an international agreement aiming to reduce IT product tariffs.

  
  

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Key Changes to the 2025 Combined Nomenclature (CN)

With the introduction of over 200 new TARIC codes, the 2025 CN updates span several industries. Let’s explore the most impactful changes.

1. Mammals (Chapter 1)

The 2025 CN introduces a new supplementary unit under CN code 0106 19 00 for certain mammals. This change allows customs to track animal imports more accurately, supporting conservation goals and tightening import monitoring.

2. Fish and Oils (Chapter 3)

Fresh and frozen fish under CN 0302 and 0303 now have species-specific TARIC codes, addressing industry demands for more precise classification.

New classifications for sharks and shark fins reflect sustainability priorities, aligning with global efforts to protect endangered marine life:

3. Tomatoes (Chapter 7)

As food security becomes a central concern, tomatoes now have a dedicated subheading, enhancing traceability and affecting import duties and quotas. This change impacts businesses that deal with produce, aligning classifications with food supply tracking systems.

4. Fats, Oils, and Waxes (Chapter 15)

The description for CN code 1518 00 95 has been revised to clarify categorization for animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils, as well as waxes. This update seeks to minimize misinterpretations in classification, especially useful for businesses involved in food and manufacturing.

5. Organic Chemicals and Fodder Residues (Chapter 23)

Chapter 23 has seen additional notes amended to refine the classification of residues and waste in the food industry. New TARIC codes also apply to CN 2309, reflecting the modern compositions of organic chemicals. These changes are particularly relevant for importers dealing with chemicals and animal feed.

6. Oil, Minerals & Biofuels (Chapter 27)

New classifications for oils, minerals, and biofuels (CN 2710) underline the EU’s commitment to sustainability. Biofuels now have a unique classification that facilitates enhanced monitoring, aligning with carbon reduction goals. This affects energy companies involved in importing and exporting sustainable fuel sources.

7. Organic Chemicals (Chapter 29)

CN codes for certain organic chemicals like Trifluoromethane and Difluoromethane now include an additional unit under CN 2903 41 00 and 2903 42 00. The precise classification improves regulatory clarity for the chemicals sector, especially those working with high-impact greenhouse gases.

8. Liquid Urea (Chapter 31)

The reclassification of liquid urea introduces a dedicated tariff code, facilitating clearer distinction within fertilizer imports and exports. This update reduces the risk of misclassification and aids businesses focused on agricultural imports.

9. Wood Waste and Laminate Floor Covering (Chapter 44)

Revisions to fibreboard and wood (CN 4411) categories address new forms of wood waste and laminate flooring, emphasizing the EU’s recycling initiatives. Importers of these materials need to be aware of these classifications to ensure accurate documentation and reduce potential import delays.

10. Aluminium and Articles (Chapter 76)

An added note clarifies categorization within Chapter 76, simplifying the classification of aluminum articles. This aims to streamline processes for companies dealing in construction and manufacturing.

11. Steel Laminations, Stator, and Rotor Cores (Chapter 85)

The steel industry must review new codes in Chapter 85 for parts like steel laminations and rotor cores. Simplifications here aim to boost trade in technology products, aiding industries that work with electrical machinery, mobile phones, and semiconductors in navigating customs clearance.

How Do These Changes Affect You?

The updates to the CN codes have far-reaching implications, particularly for importers and exporters.

Here’s how

1. Enhanced Transparency and Sustainability: From animal imports to biofuels, these changes align with the EU’s sustainability goals. If your business imports or exports goods like fish, biofuels, or fertilizers, expect tighter monitoring requirements, which could mean new documentation or certifications.

   
   

2. Opportunities for Optimized Compliance: New classifications for items such as tomatoes, biofuels, and specialized equipment offer clearer, more precise categories. These updates can help customs professionals avoid misclassification and streamline compliance.

   
   

3. Impact on Day-to-Day Customs Processes: With industry-specific changes, customs brokers and compliance teams need to update their classification systems to avoid delays and unexpected duties. For example, new codes in Chapters 1 and 7 will require new documentation for fresh produce and animal imports, while tech industries will find streamlined procedures for items under ITA.

   
   

How to prepare for the 2025 CN Updates? Actionable Steps for Customs Compliance

Preparing for the 2025 Combined Nomenclature (CN) updates isn’t just about adapting to new codes; it’s about setting up systems, practices, and knowledge to enhance compliance and optimise processes. Here’s how you can stay ahead:

1. Update Internal Systems and Tariff Databases

• Ensure your internal databases and classification software are updated with the new TARIC codes, especially if your goods fall under impacted chapters like technology, biofuels, or agriculture. Tip: Automate updates through your customs software provider, if possible, to reduce manual entry errors and stay current with future revisions.

2. Conduct a Product Classification Review

• Audit your product classifications against the new CN 2025 codes. Identify any goods that require reclassification, such as fish species, organic chemicals, or biofuels. Tip: Work closely with customs consultants to ensure that complex products, such as those under Chapters 27 and 85, are classified accurately. Misclassification can lead to customs penalties and delays.

3. Train Your Compliance Team

• Organize training sessions for your customs and compliance teams to familiarize them with the changes, particularly in high-impact areas like electronics, oils, and agricultural goods. Tip: Consider a live or on-demand training session from an experienced customs consultancy to get an in-depth look at the changes. Interactive training can enhance understanding and retention, making compliance efforts more effective.

4. Check and Update Supplier and Partner Agreements

• Communicate with suppliers and logistics partners to ensure they are also updated on the changes, especially for goods affected by new sustainability and monitoring codes. Tip: Review contractual obligations with your suppliers, particularly around goods now under stricter environmental and animal conservation standards, to avoid any interruptions or misunderstandings in your supply chain.

5. Review Compliance Documentation and Licenses

• Ensure that any necessary licenses, certifications, and permits align with the new classifications, especially if you deal with regulated goods like shark fins, biofuels, or certain chemicals. Tip: Work with your licensing authority to verify that all permits align with the 2025 CN codes. For highly regulated items, consider keeping digital copies of certifications and licenses for easy access during customs clearance.

6. Prepare for Enhanced Sustainability Reporting

• As the CN 2025 reflects a push towards sustainability, particularly in biofuels and endangered species, importers and exporters may need additional documentation on the sourcing and environmental impact of goods. Tip: Consider setting up a system to track the sustainability credentials of your products. This can streamline reporting and support compliance with EU carbon reduction and sustainability goals.

7. Engage with a Customs Consultancy for Support

• A customs consultancy, like Customs Manager Ltd, can help you with classification audits, training, and compliance support. Experienced consultants can also help you leverage these changes to optimize tariffs and improve supply chain efficiencies. Tip: A consultant can also keep you updated on any further amendments to the 2025 CN, helping you adapt swiftly to new changes in real time.

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Conclusion: Are You Ready for the 2025 CN Updates?

Navigating these updates can be challenging, but they also present an opportunity to optimize your customs strategy. The 2025 CN isn’t just about adapting to new codes; it’s about leveraging them for better compliance and operational efficiency. The 2025 CN updates present challenges and opportunities for businesses engaged in global trade. You can stay compliant and turn these changes into strategic advantages by proactively updating your systems, reviewing product classifications, and strengthening your compliance team’s knowledge. At Customs Manager Ltd, we’re here to guide you through these changes, from training to tailored advice.

Let Us Know

• What steps are you taking to prepare for the 2025 CN updates? Let us know in the comments below or contact Customs Manager Ltd for guidance tailored to your industry’s needs.

• Have you reviewed the changes and assessed their impact on your business? Join the conversation below and share how your industry will be affected!

  
  

How My Team and I Can Help

Along with a great team of enthusiastic specialists, we offer comprehensive support for navigating the 2025 Combined Nomenclature updates. My team and I support all your import-export operations, including bespoke consultancy and practical assistance. We provide public, in-house, and on-demand training tailored for customs professionals, importers, exporters, and their partners. Our membership services include weekly customs trade intelligence and updates. We also offer UK import and export customs clearance services. I offer a free call with me, visit www.customsmanager.org to book.

Sources We Base Our Information on

This blog's details are based on the official 2025 CN updates published by the EU and recommendations from the World Customs Organization.

Where To Find More Information on Topic

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• Subscribe to The Customs Watch—our weekly consolidation of updates to law, guidance, and policy.

• Visit our Knowledge Hub Content Library and read more on www.customsmanager.info.

  
  

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Learn With Me

My team and I offer extensive training on the 2025 CN updates. Please visit www.customsmanager.org/events to explore the course plan and book one of the following public courses.

About the Author

I (Arne Mielken) am a customs, export control, and sanctions expert with over 20 years of experience. I have worked as an executive director for many years in Big 4 Consultancy, global trade management technology companies, and many international trade and export UK and EU trade associations. I am proud to be a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of World Traders and I am a member of many customs, export control & sanctions associations, like the Customs Practitioners Group (CPG), the UK’s Association for International Trade (ACITA), the Europäischen Forum für Außenwirtschaft e.V. (EFA) and Office de développement par l’Automatisation et la Simplification du Commerce Extérieur (ODASCE).

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Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It is recommended that you consult with legal professionals, specialists, or specific compliance requirements and guidance.