# Consensus-based Agentic Large Language Model Framework for Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code Classification

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.16987 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.16987/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in General LLM agent frameworks and benchmarks, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use.
- Builds on 9 of its 37 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 15 Jun 2026.

## Placed in

- LLM agents and tool use / [General LLM agent frameworks and benchmarks](https://mlsanity.com/agents/general-llm-agent-frameworks-and-benchmarks/)

## Builds on (most cited first, 9 of 9)

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- [HSCodeComp: A Realistic and Expert-level Benchmark for Deep Search Agents in Hierarchical Rule Application](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.19631/) (2025)
- [Multimedia Verification Through Multi-Agent Deep Research Multimodal Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.04410/) (2025)
- [Adaptive Collaboration of Arena-Based Argumentative LLMs for Explainable and Contestable Legal Reasoning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.18916/) (2026)
- [Benchmarking Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classification Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.14179/) (2024)
- [ATLAS: Benchmarking and Adapting LLMs for Global Trade via Harmonized Tariff Code Classification](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.18400/) (2025)
- [Explainable Product Classification for Customs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2311.10922/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Accurate Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code classification is essential for customs clearance, duty assessment, trade statistics, and regulatory compliance in maritime logistics. However, exact HTS classification remains challenging because product descriptions are often short, incomplete, or ambiguous, while correct classification depends on hierarchical tariff structures, legal notes, and jurisdiction-specific rules. This paper proposes an agentic large language model (LLM) framework for Canadian 10-digit HTS code classification in smart-port and maritime logistics environments. The framework integrates multi-agent information retrieval, semantic retrieval over official tariff documents, evidence-grounded reasoning, consensus-based validation, element-wise voting across hierarchical code components, confidence estimation, and human-in-the-loop escalation. We evaluate the framework on a private dataset of 3,300 domain-expert-labeled product records collected from logistics and delivery contexts. Experimental results show that exact 10-digit classification remains difficult even for advanced LLMs, with performance decreasing from coarse chapter-level prediction to fine-grained tariff and statistical suffix assignment. These findings demonstrate the need for evidence-grounded, uncertainty-aware, and human-centered classification workflows rather than fully autonomous single-step prediction. The proposed framework supports more interpretable, accountable, and compliance-oriented HTS classification for maritime logistics and smart-port operations. Our code is available at https://github.com/Analytics-Everywhere-Lab/hts.