How Entrydesk AI works

How to read each step

• InputThe real input to the step.
• Done byEntrydesk AI, code, or a person. A mark shows which, so you never have to guess.
• ResultThe real result of the step, taken from the run.

Jump to a step. Every step has its own link, so you can send a colleague one.

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
• Step 5
• Step 6
• Held back
• Other steps
• Never sent

Three actors, and where each one stops

Real public rulings, not made up

US Customs publishes its rulings. Each one has a product description and the code Customs gave it. We ran the Code Finder on 150 of them that the classifier never learned from. The first six digits of a code are shared by the countries that use the international tariff system, including the US and Nigeria, so the two codes can be compared at that level. The language model behind Entrydesk AI is trained by its maker on public text, so we cannot show it never saw a public ruling.

Each ruling is one description, with no quantity, price or origin. That is why the Code Finder is shown in full below, and the other steps of the pipeline, which work on a whole shipment, are described in text. Names are removed from the descriptions. Companies named in rulings are not Entrydesk customers.

See how often it answered and how often it was right.

Ruling N349347: a tote bag, answered

A line that Entrydesk AI answered. The code US Customs gave is shown only at the end, after the checks.

1. Step 1

   The description goes in

   Input

   One goods description from public ruling N349347, treated as one invoice line with no quantity, price or origin.a tote bag. The subject merchandise is a tote bag which measures approximately 17” wide x 14” high x 8” deep. It is designed and sized to provide storage, protection, portability, and organization to personal effects during travel. It is of a durable construction and suitable for repetitive use. The bottom portion of the bag is constructed of interwoven paper strips and thus, is considered to be made of plaiting material.Shortened here, with company names removed. The whole description was used in the run.

   Done by

   Code passes it on

   Result

   One goods line with its description and nothing else. No quantity, price, origin or company name is added.

2. Step 2

   The classifier names likely groups

   Input

   The description.

   Done by

   A trained classifier. It is code, not Entrydesk AI

   Result

   The 10 most likely six digit groups of the code, each with the classifier's own share. The first six digits are shared by the countries that use the international tariff system, including the US and Nigeria.

   • 6307.9043.1%
   • 4202.9220.4%
   • 4601.923.5%
   • 9503.002.0%
   • 4819.302.0%
   • 3921.902.0%
   • 6404.192.0%
   • 4811.592.0%
   • 6810.992.0%
   • 9031.802.0%

   The classifier learned from earlier rulings only, not from this ruling or the code US Customs gave it.

3. Step 3

   The tariff is searched

   Input

   The 10 groups, and a search of the tariff for the words of the description.

   Done by

   Code

   Result

   14 tariff lines from 12 six digit groups, in the order they were searched. Entrydesk AI is shown only these.

   1. 14601.92.00.00Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, whether or not assembled int... > ... > Other : > Of bamboo
   2. 26305.90.00.00Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods. > Of other textile materials
   3. 34601.99.10.00Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, whether or not assembled int... > ... > Other: > Mats, matting and screens
   4. 44601.99.90.00Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, whether or not assembled int... > ... > Other: > Other
   5. 54601.94.00.00Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, whether or not assembled int... > ... > Other : > Of other vegetable materials
   6. 64601.93.00.00Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, whether or not assembled int... > ... > Other : > Of rattan
   7. 76307.90.00.00Other made up articles, including dress patterns. > Otherchosen in step 4
   8. 86305.39.00.00Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods. > Of man-made textile materials : > Other
   9. 94601.29.00.00Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, whether or not assembled int... > ... > Mats, matting and screens of vegetable materials : > Other
   10. 104601.22.00.00Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, whether or not assembled int... > ... > Mats, matting and screens of vegetable materials : > Of rattan
   11. 114601.21.00.00Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, whether or not assembled int... > ... > Mats, matting and screens of vegetable materials : > Of bamboo
   12. 124202.92.10.00Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels... > ... > With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials: > Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industrychosen in step 4
   13. 134202.92.90.00Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels... > ... > With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials: > Otherchosen in step 4
   14. 149503.00.00.00Prefabricated buildings. > Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls; other toys; reduced-size ("scale") models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds.

4. Step 4

   Entrydesk AI chooses and explains

   Input

   The description and only the 14 lines above. It must choose from them and may choose up to 3.

   Done by

   Entrydesk AI

   Result

   For each pick it gives a rating (high, medium or low) and a reason that says which words of the description match which words of the tariff. It did not mark the line as unsure.

   1. 4202.92.90.00Rating: high

      The bag is a tote designed for travel/personal effects storage, matching heading 4202 ('trunks, suit-cases… travelling-bags and similar containers'); the outer surface is predominantly cotton textile, fitting 4202.92.90.00 'with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials: Other'.

      Tariff text it cites: Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels... > ... > With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials: > Other

   2. 6307.90.00.00Rating: low

      6307.90.00.00 'Other made up articles' under heading 6307 could apply if the bag were excluded from 4202, but the description clearly fits 4202 as a travel/personal-effects bag, making 6307 a residual fallback only.

      Tariff text it cites: Other made up articles, including dress patterns. > Other

   3. 4202.92.10.00Rating: low

      4202.92.10.00 is the same heading/subheading but for CKD/unassembled goods; the bag is presented assembled, so 4202.92.90.00 is correct and 4202.92.10.00 is a weak alternative only if assembly status were in question.

      Tariff text it cites: Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels... > ... > With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials: > Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industry

   Entrydesk AI can only name codes from the list. A code outside it would be dropped. Dropped here: 0.

5. Step 5

   Code checks the choice

   Input

   The picks, the classifier's shares and the tariff.

   Done by

   Code

   Result

   • Before anything was sent: the description holds no name, amount or contact detail.Passed
   • Every code Entrydesk AI chose is one of the 14 lines it was shown.3 of 3
   • Every chosen code is a line of the tariff loaded.3 of 3
   • Entrydesk AI did not mark the line as unsure.Passed
   • How sure, for each pick: 0.6 times the rating (high 0.9, medium 0.6, low 0.3) plus 0.4 times the classifier's share of that code's group. A group the classifier did not list counts as 0.Worked out4202.92.90.00: 0.6 × 0.9 (high) + 0.4 × 0.2045 = 0.6218 (62%)6307.90.00.00: 0.6 × 0.3 (low) + 0.4 × 0.4311 = 0.3524 (35%)4202.92.10.00: 0.6 × 0.3 (low) + 0.4 × 0.2045 = 0.2618 (26%)
   • The best pick must reach 60% to be shown as a suggestion. Its score is 62%.Passed

   Code does not edit a code or a reason. It scores the picks and decides whether to show them.

6. Step 6

   The decision: a suggestion

   Input

   The result of every check.

   Done by

   Code

   Result

   Suggested: 4202.92.90.00, 62% sure

   The other 2 picks stay as the next suggestions, with 35% and 26%.

   US Customs gave 4202.92 at the first six digits. The first suggestion matches. In the product, a declarant approves or changes the code.

   A line that is not sure enough is shown as Needs expert, not as an answer.

Ruling N354134: a tool set, sent to an expert

The same six steps on a line that ended as Needs expert. Here the first pick did not match what US Customs gave, and the check did not let it through as an answer.

1. Step 1

   The description goes in

   Input

   One goods description from public ruling N354134, treated as one invoice line with no quantity, price or origin.a tool set. The item under consideration is described as a 22-piece precision screwdriver and bit set which will be imported in a molded case ready for retail sale.Shortened here, with company names removed. The whole description was used in the run.

   Done by

   Code passes it on

   Result

   One goods line with its description and nothing else. No quantity, price, origin or company name is added.

2. Step 2

   The classifier names likely groups

   Input

   The description.

   Done by

   A trained classifier. It is code, not Entrydesk AI

   Result

   The 10 most likely six digit groups of the code, each with the classifier's own share. The first six digits are shared by the countries that use the international tariff system, including the US and Nigeria.

   • 8207.9043.1%
   • 8466.1034.2%
   • 7326.902.0%
   • 6912.002.0%
   • 3926.902.0%
   • 8215.202.0%
   • 6307.902.0%
   • 8215.992.0%
   • 8207.502.0%
   • 9505.902.0%

   The classifier learned from earlier rulings only, not from this ruling or the code US Customs gave it.

3. Step 3

   The tariff is searched

   Input

   The 10 groups, and a search of the tariff for the words of the description.

   Done by

   Code

   Result

   15 tariff lines from 12 six digit groups, in the order they were searched. Entrydesk AI is shown only these.

   1. 18466.10.00.00Parts and accessories suitable for use solely or principally with the machines... > Tool holders and self-opening dieheads
   2. 28206.00.00.00Hand tools (including glaziers' diamonds), not elsewhere specified or included;... > Tools of two or more of the headings 82.02 to 82.05, put up in sets for retail sale.chosen in step 4
   3. 38207.90.00.00Interchangeable tools for hand tools, whether or not power-operated, or for mac... > Other interchangeable tools
   4. 48502.39.10.00Electric generating sets and rotary converters. > Other generating sets : > Other: > Solar-powered
   5. 58502.39.20.00Electric generating sets and rotary converters. > Other generating sets : > Other: > Gas-powered
   6. 68502.39.90.00Electric generating sets and rotary converters. > Other generating sets : > Other: > Other
   7. 78205.40.00.00Hand tools (including glaziers' diamonds), not elsewhere specified or included;... > Screwdriverschosen in step 4
   8. 88502.31.00.00Electric generating sets and rotary converters. > Other generating sets : > Wind-powered
   9. 94417.00.00.00Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings, of wood; cable-drums... > Tools, tool bodies, tool handles, broom or brush bodies and handles, of wood; boot or shoe lasts and trees, of wood.
   10. 108532.30.00.00Electrical capacitors, fixed, variable or adjustable (pre-set). > Variable or adjustable (pre-set) capacitors
   11. 118502.20.10.00Electric generating sets and rotary converters. > Generating sets with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines: > Presented completely knocked down (CKD) or unassembled for the assembly industry
   12. 128502.20.90.00Electric generating sets and rotary converters. > Generating sets with spark-ignition internal combustion piston engines: > Other
   13. 138207.19.00.00Interchangeable tools for hand tools, whether or not power-operated, or for mac... > ... > Rock drilling or earth boring tools : > Other, including parts
   14. 148207.70.00.00Interchangeable tools for hand tools, whether or not power-operated, or for mac... > Tools for milling
   15. 158542.31.00.00Electronic integrated circuits. > Electronic integrated circuits : > Processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits

4. Step 4

   Entrydesk AI chooses and explains

   Input

   The description and only the 15 lines above. It must choose from them and may choose up to 3.

   Done by

   Entrydesk AI

   Result

   For each pick it gives a rating (high, medium or low) and a reason that says which words of the description match which words of the tariff. It did not mark the line as unsure.

   1. 8206.00.00.00Rating: high

      The item is a 22-piece set comprising a ratchet handle, bit holder, and screwdriver bits put up in a molded case for retail sale; 8206.00.00.00 covers 'tools of two or more of headings 82.02 to 82.05, put up in sets for retail sale', which precisely matches this multi-tool retail set.

      Tariff text it cites: Hand tools (including glaziers' diamonds), not elsewhere specified or included;... > Tools of two or more of the headings 82.02 to 82.05, put up in sets for retail sale.

   2. 8205.40.00.00Rating: low

      8205.40.00.00 covers 'screwdrivers' under heading 82.05; the set is predominantly screwdriver bits and a ratchet handle, so if not classified as a set under 82.06, the screwdriver character could point here, but 82.06 (8206.00.00.00) is the better fit.

      Tariff text it cites: Hand tools (including glaziers' diamonds), not elsewhere specified or included;... > Screwdrivers

   Entrydesk AI can only name codes from the list. A code outside it would be dropped. Dropped here: 0.

5. Step 5

   Code checks the choice

   Input

   The picks, the classifier's shares and the tariff.

   Done by

   Code

   Result

   • Before anything was sent: the description holds no name, amount or contact detail.Passed
   • Every code Entrydesk AI chose is one of the 15 lines it was shown.2 of 2
   • Every chosen code is a line of the tariff loaded.2 of 2
   • Entrydesk AI did not mark the line as unsure.Passed
   • How sure, for each pick: 0.6 times the rating (high 0.9, medium 0.6, low 0.3) plus 0.4 times the classifier's share of that code's group. A group the classifier did not list counts as 0.Worked out8206.00.00.00: 0.6 × 0.9 (high) + 0.4 × 0 = 0.54 (54%)8205.40.00.00: 0.6 × 0.3 (low) + 0.4 × 0 = 0.18 (18%)
   • The best pick must reach 60% to be shown as a suggestion. Its score is 54%.Held back

   Code does not edit a code or a reason. It scores the picks and decides whether to show them.

6. Step 6

   The decision: Needs expert

   Input

   The result of every check.

   Done by

   Code

   Result

   Needs expert

   The combined score is 54%, under the 60% needed to suggest a code.

   The 2 lines Entrydesk AI liked stay on screen as leads, marked Lead only. They are not shown as suggestions.

   US Customs gave 8466.10 at the first six digits. That line was among the 15 searched (8466.10.00.00), but Entrydesk AI did not pick it. The first pick did not match, and the check kept it from being shown as an answer.

   A line that is not sure enough is shown as Needs expert, not as an answer.

The other steps, in text

These steps work on a whole shipment of papers. The run above is one description per line, so there is no output to show for them here, and none is made up. This is what goes in, who does it and what comes out.

1. Other step 1Upload

   Input

   PDF, JPEG or PNG files of the invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill and any other papers.

   Done by

   Code

   Result

   One clear picture for every page, kept in order. A photo is turned the right way up first.

2. Other step 2Page Sorter

   Input

   The text of every page.

   Done by

   Entrydesk AICode

   Result

   Each page typed as an invoice, proforma invoice, packing list, bill of lading, airway bill, Form M, insurance certificate, certificate of origin, permit, price verification report or other. A page with no readable text becomes other by rule. A page Entrydesk AI is unsure about becomes other and is listed for the preparer to check.A page a person typed is never changed by a re-run.

3. Other step 3Document Reader

   Input

   The text and tables on each run of pages of one type.

   Done by

   Entrydesk AICode

   Result

   The header fields and every line, each tied to the page and the box it came from, so a person can click a value and see where it was read.A value a person corrected is never overwritten by a re-run.

4. Other step 4Line Matcher

   Input

   The invoice lines, packing list lines and Form M lines.

   Done by

   Code firstA text comparison for close calls

   Result

   Each packing list line and Form M line linked to the invoice line it describes, using the printed line number, the words they share and the quantity. Links with a low score are left for the preparer to confirm.A line that matches nothing stays on the list. It is never dropped.

5. Other step 5Mismatch Finder and Permit Finder

   Input

   The fields and lines already read, and the codes suggested.

   Done by

   Code rules with stated tolerancesEntrydesk AI judges meaning where wording differs

   Result

   Each check as pass, warning or fail, with its evidence: the documents, fields and values compared, the tolerance, and for permits the source of the rule. Weights work like this: gross and net weights pass within 1% or 0.5 kg, warn up to 3% and fail above.A finding a person resolved is never reopened by a re-run.

6. Other step 6Deadline Watch

   Input

   The arrival date, the free days the preparer enters from the shipping line, the Form M end date and any permit end date.

   Done by

   Code, no AI

   Result

   The dates that matter, and a warning when a Form M ends before the arrival date or soon after it.There is no default for free days. The preparer enters them.

7. Other step 7Declaration Draft

   Input

   The fields read and the codes a declarant accepted.

   Done by

   Code, no AI

   Result

   A draft with the data in the order of the declaration form's boxes, and a list of every required box that has no value.A code goes into its box only after a declarant accepts it. Nothing is filled in from a guess.

8. Other step 8Review and approval

   Input

   The draft, the suggested codes with their reasons, and every warning and fail.

   Done by

   Your declarant

   Result

   The declarant accepts or changes each code, marks lines Needs expert, and resolves each warning. Every change is logged with who made it and when. The licensed agent then keys the declaration into the Customs system.Entrydesk does not log in to the Customs system and does not file. The licensed agent stays responsible for the declaration.

9. Other step 9Ask the File, Client Brief and Ruling Drafter

   Input

   One question, or one line marked Needs expert, with the data of that one shipment.

   Done by

   Entrydesk AICode

   Result

   An answer that names the page and field it came from. A short plain summary for the importer, with every figure worked out by code. A draft request for an advance ruling.An answer with no source in the shipment is replaced by 'I could not find that'. Nothing is sent or submitted for you.

What Entrydesk AI is never sent when it chooses a code

When Entrydesk AI chooses a code and writes its reason, it sees short text from each line only: the description, the country of origin, the quantity and the unit.

• Never prices or amounts.
• Never the names of companies or people.
• Never contact details.

Code removes names and amounts from the text first, then scans the finished message. If a name, an amount or a contact detail is still in it, the line is not sent and is marked Needs expert. In the run on rulings, 0 of 150 lines were blocked and 150 were sent.

Reading a page is a different job: Entrydesk AI has to see a page to read it. Entrydesk AI processes data within the EU.

How the numbers are measured

The test is the run you just read, on 150 rulings the classifier never learned from, scored at the first six digits against the code US Customs gave. Every number comes with how often Entrydesk AI answered. The 13 cases shown are picked by hand from the 150.

Read the method, the numbers and the 13 cases