Three search engines do the job A WINDOWS VERSION of Jacobsen’s Electronic Tariff (JET) has been developed to help freight forwarders simplify customs tariff classification and avoid penalties arising from dealing with new customs regulations. “Its three search engines make it no longer necessary to carry a hard copy of the customs tariff book,” says Jacobsen’s director Clive King. “All schedules, part, search and chapter notes are provided and automatically remain in sync with the search.” The first search engine permits a search of the JET databases, for every word within the harmonised nomenclature. The user can enter up to four words and JET will display every tariff heading containing the entered word or words. It will also show a relationship between the words, if one exists. This search index is especially powerful when searching for compound words and chemicals. The second search engine uses everyday generic words, not so-called customs speak. In the first search engine, the word ‘computers’ will not be found. In the generic search, however, JET points to ‘automatic data processing machines’. The third search method uses a hierarchical chapter search engine, which allows the operator to drill down into the various chapters, until the correct tariff heading is located. JET has a product library and warns if the tariff heading under which the user has classified the commodity is no longer valid. It also calculates all duties instantly. All updates for JET are provided via email on a daily basis for exchange rates and at least once a week for tariff changes.
