CROSS: U.S. CBP Customs Rulings Online Search System Summary
Overview of CROSS
CROSS, the Customs Rulings Online Search System, is an official, searchable database provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It serves as a primary resource for accessing binding customs rulings issued by the agency. This system is crucial for importers, brokers, lawyers, and trade professionals seeking clarity on the classification, valuation, and origin of imported goods according to U.S. regulations.
Key Features and Functionality
- Comprehensive Search Capabilities: Users can search for rulings using simple or complex queries with keywords and Boolean operators (e.g., AND, OR, NOT).
- Cross-Referencing: A key feature allows users to easily find rulings that have been modified, revoked, or referenced by other rulings within the initial search results.
- Extensive Ruling Collections: The database includes rulings issued by both CBP Headquarters (HQ) and the New York (NY) office.
- Time Span: Rulings generally cover the period from 1989 to the present.
- Flexible Searching: Users can search HQ and NY collections individually or collectively.
- Regular Updates: The database is frequently updated with new rulings. As of the last update noted (Apr 11, 2025), it contained over 216,000 rulings, with the most recent dated Apr 10, 2025.
Accessing Latest Rulings & Data Downloads
CROSS provides quick access to the most recent rulings:
- All Latest Rulings: Includes both HQ and NY rulings modified or issued in the last 30 days.
- Latest NY Rulings: Filters for NY rulings 30 days or newer.
- Latest HQ Rulings: Filters for HQ rulings 30 days or newer.
- Data Formats: These latest ruling sets are available for download in XML and CSV formats, facilitating data analysis and integration.
Related Trade Information Resources
The CROSS page links to essential external trade resources:
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)
- Customs Bulletins
- Informed Compliance Publications
- Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (relevant sections)
- Customs Valuation Encyclopedia (1980-2021): Available for download directly from the CBP website.
Important Considerations
- Database Completeness: CBP notes that not all rulings issued by HQ and NY since 1989 are currently in the database. Efforts are ongoing to achieve 100% inclusion.
- Help and Support: A dedicated HELP section provides guidance on using CROSS features. Users can submit CROSS-related concerns via the CBP website questions link.
Conclusion
CROSS is an indispensable tool for navigating U.S. customs law and compliance. Its robust search features, cross-referencing capabilities, access to historical and recent rulings (including HQ and NY), and links to vital trade information make it a critical resource for the international trade community.
