Session Frame
Source: session page
The session describes Federation's approach to HS classification in trade compliance: a small team using Claude plus domain expertise to compete on a global classification benchmark where wrong answers can be expensive.
Each System Needed A Different Capability
Source: IMG_7424
| System | The challenge | Claude capability | What failed before |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS code | GRI 1-6 reasoning + citation discipline | Long context + structured reasoning + reliable citations | Other AI systems misclassified Kitty Charm. |
| Regulatory | Parse 100+ page CBAM x 4 jurisdictions | Extended context, multi-jurisdiction reasoning | Smaller models hallucinated citations. Rule engines could not handle ambiguity. |
| Supply chain | 80-step chain: HFI → WGI → 5-factor → sourcing | Multi-step instruction following + reliable tool use | LLM-wrapped automation tools silently halt at step 3-4. Not errors. Just stops. |
| Trade assistant | Loop: Think → Act → Observe → Decide; know when to stop | Agent loop discipline + self-verification | Others default to "do everything" without compliance discipline. |
Single Agent Worked, But Took Too Long
Source: IMG_7425
Single agent
Classified correctly, but took 6+ minutes per answer.
Decomposed parallel
Target path shown as approximately 30 seconds.
The problem
- Single agent classified correctly - just unusably slow.
- 1-week broker baseline meant the system had to be orders of magnitude faster.
The lesson
- Decompose by stage: Section → National.
- Each stage gets its own retrieval context.
- Parallel where independent, sequential where dependent.
The System Did Not Fail, Customer-Written Descriptions Did
Source: IMG_7426
Supplier invoice: "Industrial machinery part"
System classifies: HS 8479.89 - generic machinery
Actual code: HS 8418.69 - medical refrigeration
The problem
- The model did not fail. The input did.
- Customers write in shorthand they understand, not HS-grade specificity.
The lesson
- Build an input-quality gate as its own agent.
- When ambiguous, ask follow-up or flag for human review.
- Self-aware system > confident system.
Delete The Stuffed Prompt
Source: IMG_7427
The team first put every trade rule into the system prompt, then removed that approach.
Stuffed prompt
- WCO rules, TBT, FTA matrix, and all regulations compliance rules.
- Opaque. One edit broke unrelated cases.
- Slow and expensive.
Retrieval + verifier
- Agent query
- Knowledge base returns
- Verifier agent cross-checks citations
- Output: code + citations + trace
Demo Output: Final Classification Decision
Source: IMG_7428
The photo shows the Federation assistant producing a final HS classification decision with rationale, factors, citations, and tariff summary.
| Field | Visible value |
|---|---|
| Final HS code | 8479.50.00.00 |
| Description | Machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof. |
| Decision rationale | Classified under subheading 8479.50 as an industrial robot not elsewhere specified or included. |
| Key determining factors | Multi-purpose programmable industrial robot arm; absence of a more specific heading in Chapter 84 or 85; Section XVI and Chapter 84 classification rules. |
| Tariff summary | Visible text states a 2.5% MFN tariff rate for imports into the United States. |
Five Lessons Learned
Source: IMG_7430