Summary
The publication of the consolidated list of “Classification Regulations” for 2025 represents a significant advancement in the EU’s efforts to simplify and unify the customs classification process. By aligning all valid regulations with current CN codes, the Commission is helping both Member States and economic operators maintain compliance and streamline trade.
What Are Classification Regulations?
Classification Regulations are legally binding acts issued by the European Commission that determine how specific goods are classified under the Combined Nomenclature (CN). These classifications influence customs duties, trade statistics, and regulatory compliance across the European Union.
Valid Regulations and CN Code Updates
The “Classification Regulations” are based on the CN code valid at the time of their adoption. However, as the Harmonized System (HS) undergoes revisions every five years—and the CN is updated annually—some older regulations reference CN codes that are no longer in use.
To address this, the European Commission has published a consolidated list that updates each valid regulation with its correct CN 2025 code. This is a major development that supports transparency and ease of use.
Legal Basis and Purpose
The consolidated list is published under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2522, which updates Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87. This move aims to:
- Simplify customs classification
- Ensure harmonized application across Member States
- Reduce compliance complexity for economic operators
Clarification on Legal Status
While the consolidated list is a valuable reference, it is for informational purposes only and has no legal effect on its own. The official legal acts are those published in the Official Journal of the European Union and accessible via EUR-Lex.
Examples of Classification Regulations
Some real-world examples from the 2025 list include:
- CN Code 0202: Partially or totally de-frozen meat of domestic bovine animals, not classified as fresh or chilled due to structural changes from freezing.
- CN Code 8533 21 00: Non-linear resistors that vary resistance based on temperature.
- CN Code 6302 99 90: Body massage friction strip made of ramie and cotton with sponge-plastic core.
These examples illustrate the breadth and detail of the list, which spans hundreds of goods.
Benefits for Economic Operators
The consolidated list is an essential tool for customs professionals and businesses operating in the EU. Key benefits include:
- Accurate Classification: Ensures that goods are classified under the latest CN codes, reducing the risk of misclassification and penalties.
- Uniform Application: Promotes consistency in how Member States apply customs rules.
- Administrative Efficiency: Reduces the need to manually reconcile outdated codes and legal acts.
- Compliance Support: Assists in audit readiness and cross-border trade planning.
What should companies do now?
To stay compliant with the new CN 2025 updates:
- Check your product codes against the updated CN list.
- Update your systems (ERP, declarations, master data).
- Inform your customs, compliance and logistics teams to avoid misclassification.
- Track future updates from the European Commission.
- Coordinate with customs brokers like Gerlach Customs for correct filings.
Be proactive to save costs and prevent delays later.
You can access the complete list through the European Commission’s official site. The list is expected to be updated regularly to reflect future changes in the Combined Nomenclature and Classification Regulations.
How we at Gerlach help our customers
We provide analysis and CN code validation based on the latest EU rules
- Automated classification checks to ensure accuracy
- We track changes from the European Commission regularly and provide proactive alerts and advice.
- We offer customized training in every European country by local customs experts
We make sure your goods are classified correctly—first time, every time—so you can focus on trade, not red tape.
If you have any doubts about these new changes, reach out to us
