MCP API: Enabling AI Agents to Query Customs HS Codes

The MCP API is an intelligent query interface designed by the HSCIQ platform for AI agents. It helps AI turn customs HS code questions into structured calls and organizes the results into readable answers.

What can it do?

  • Classification Case Search: Enter a product name to find similar classification cases.
  • HS Code Search: Look up customs codes for China, Japan, and the United States.
  • Unified Information Query: find CIQ regulatory conditions, hazardous chemical information, and port codes.
  • Code Detail Query: Get the complete details of a specified customs HS code.
  • Create Classification Inquiry: Submit product information and images directly via AI to create an HS classification inquiry.

Why does an AI agent need it?

When a user asks "What is the customs code for plastic hoses?", the AI can automatically call the search API via the MCP API to get accurate code information and organize it into an answer the user can understand.
When you are unsure about the classification result given by AI and need a human expert to review it, the AI can directly call the Create Classification Inquiry API to submit product information, intended use, and photos with one click, automatically generating a classification inquiry that is reviewed and confirmed by the platform's professional classifiers, ensuring a reliable final result.

Is it easy to use?

For AI Developers
With just one API Key, your AI agent gains customs code query capability. The API is designed to standard specifications and is easy to integrate.
For Regular Users
  1. Ask the AI a question, e.g., "What is the customs code for mobile phones?"
  2. The AI automatically calls the MCP API to complete the query.
  3. Get an accurate answer in seconds.
  4. If you have doubts about the result, simply tell the AI 'submit a manual review for me', and the AI will automatically create a classification inquiry for an expert to review and confirm.

How do I let an AI agent use this feature?

  • Tell the AI agent the API documentation URL:https://www.hsciq.com/MCP/Docs
  • Provide your API key (available on the HSCIQ2 platform)
Once completed, you can directly ask the AI customs code questions.

ClawHub Skill Installation

  • Visit the skills page:https://clawhub.ai/toucao/skills/hsciq-mcp
Option 1: Command Line Installation
openclaw skills install @toucao/hsciq-mcp
Option 2: Web Installation
Visit https://clawhub.ai/toucao/skills/hsciq-mcp Click Install.

Local CLI (stdio bridge)

  • For AI clients that only support stdio local process integration, a single-file CLI (Windows / macOS / Linux) is available for download, with no .NET runtime installation required.
  • For the download address and configuration examples, see CLI Download page.

Is it safe and reliable?

  • API key management: each user has an independent key that can be created and revoked.
  • Usage statistics: view API call counts to prevent abuse.
  • Error handling: Provides clear error messages to help quickly locate issues.

Real-world use cases

  • Foreign trade company inquiry: query the code and tax rate information for tea exported to Japan.
  • For customs brokers: search similar classification instances as a reference for declaration.
  • Learning and research: query information such as 0902.30.00 full code details.
  • AI-Assisted Classification: Send the product name, intended use, and images to the AI. The AI automatically creates an HS classification inquiry and submits it to experts for review.

Technical Highlights

  • Multi-country support: Query customs codes for China, Japan, and the United States in a single search.
  • Smart Search: Supports fuzzy queries and word segmentation search to improve accuracy.
  • Detailed results: returns complete information such as codes, tax rates, and regulatory requirements.
  • Human-AI collaboration: when the AI is uncertain, it automatically submits a manual classification inquiry, and an expert provides an authoritative conclusion after review.
  • Standardized interface: compliant with industry standards and easy to integrate.

API Documentation (Simplified)

Base URL:https://www.hsciq.com/mcp
Main API Endpoints
  • POST /mcp/rpc: Standard MCP protocol endpoint (recommended; clients such as Claude/Cursor can connect with direct configuration)
  • GET /mcp: Get service information (legacy REST, deprecated)
  • POST /mcp/tools/list: View available tools (legacy REST, deprecated)
  • POST /mcp/tools/call: Call a specific tool (legacy REST, deprecated)
Authentication
X-API-Key: your_key
Available Tools
  • search_instance: Classification Instance Search
  • search_code: HS Code Search
  • search_unified: Unified Information Search
  • get_code_detail: Code Detail Query
  • create_guilei_form: Create Classification Inquiry (supports product information and image upload)
  • get_guilei_form: Get Classification Inquiry Details
  • list_my_guilei_forms: Get the User's Classification Inquiry List
  • add_guilei_dialog_message: Create or reply to discussions on classification inquiry fields
  • list_guilei_categories：获取行业分类列表（创建归类咨询单时用于选择 categoryId）

Summary

The HSCIQ2 MCP API gives AI agents customs HS code query capabilities. Whether for developer integration or questions from regular users, it delivers a simple, accurate, and reliable query experience.
In one sentence: make AI better understand customs and make customs queries smarter.