Tariff Guide

Tariff Guide Generator

Create comprehensive, professional-grade tariff and customs guide documents for any country or customs territory. Output both Markdown and self-contained HTML with modern tech-doc styling.

Input Handling

Determine what the user needs:

1. Country/territory specified -- User names a country or customs territory (e.g., "Japan", "ASEAN", "UK", "Australia"). Research and write the full guide.
2. Outline provided -- User provides a chapter outline. Use it as the structure and fill in with researched content.
3. Update existing guide -- User has an existing guide that needs updating. Research current developments and update the relevant sections.
4. Comparison guide -- User wants to compare two or more systems. Structure as a comparative document with side-by-side analysis.

If the user provides minimal context, ask:

• Which country or customs territory?
• Target audience? (e.g., U.S. importers entering this market, local compliance professionals, general trade audience)
• Should it cross-reference existing guides? (e.g., "assume reader knows the U.S. system")
• Output format? (default: both Markdown + self-contained HTML)

Research Phase

Before writing, gather comprehensive information. Launch parallel research agents covering these topic areas:

Research Area 1: Structure and Institutions

• Governing legislation (customs act, tariff act, trade law)
• Key agencies (customs authority, trade tribunal, trade policy body, tax authority)
• Classification system (HS-based structure, national digits, how many digits)
• Tariff schedule structure (rate columns, preferential treatments)
• How to access the official tariff schedule (URLs, databases, tools)

Research Area 2: Rates, Valuation, and Origin

• Valuation basis (FOB, CIF, or other -- this is a critical distinguishing feature)
• MFN tariff profile (average rates, rate ranges by sector)
• Free trade agreements (list all FTAs with partner names, years, codes)
• Rules of origin (non-preferential, preferential, proof of origin mechanisms)
• Preferential programs (GSP equivalents, developing country preferences)

Research Area 3: Additional Duties and Taxes

• Anti-dumping and countervailing duty system (retrospective vs. prospective, current major measures)
• Safeguard measures (any active safeguards, TRQs)
• Special tariffs/surtaxes (retaliatory tariffs, national security tariffs, any equivalent to U.S. Section 301/232/IEEPA)
• Sales tax / VAT / GST at the border (rate, how calculated, recoverable?)
• Excise duties (alcohol, tobacco, fuel, luxury goods)
• Any unique mechanisms (e.g., EU CBAM, entry price systems)

Research Area 4: Procedures and Compliance

• Customs declaration system (electronic system name, process)
• De minimis thresholds (duty-free, tax-free, e-commerce)
• Duty relief programs (drawback, bonded warehouses, temporary importation, processing zones)
• Trusted trader programs (AEO equivalent, mutual recognition)
• Binding classification rulings (process, validity, searchable database?)
• Penalties and enforcement (audit lookback period, penalty structure, voluntary disclosure, appeal process)

Research Quality Requirements

• Use current data (specify the date in the guide)
• Include specific rates, thresholds, legal references, regulation numbers
• Include official website URLs and database links
• Verify data against official government sources where possible
• Note any upcoming changes (pending legislation, scheduled rate changes)

Document Structure

Read references/document-structure.md for the standard chapter framework.

Every guide follows this core structure, adapted to the specific system:

Required Sections

1. Executive Summary -- Structural comparison table vs. U.S. (or another reference system if specified). Highlight the 3-5 most consequential differences. This section tells the reader what makes this system unique.

2. System Overview -- Legislative foundation, key agencies with roles and website URLs, how the system is organized.

3. Classification -- How the tariff number works, digit breakdown diagram, national extensions, how to access the official schedule.

4. Tariff Rates and Treatments -- MFN rates, preferential rates, all FTA treatment codes, the "best rate" rule if applicable.

5. Customs Valuation -- FOB vs. CIF (critical distinction), transaction value method, additions/deductions, currency conversion.

6. Rules of Origin -- Non-preferential and preferential, key FTA rules of origin, proof of origin mechanisms.

7. Total Landed Cost Calculation -- The complete formula from customs value to total charges. Must include 3 worked examples with step-by-step calculations showing realistic products and amounts.

8. Additional Duties -- AD/CVD system, safeguards, surtaxes, retaliatory tariffs, any unique mechanisms. Include current major measures with rates.

9. Sales Tax / VAT / GST -- Tax at the border (if applicable), rates, recovery mechanism, interaction with duty calculation.

10. De Minimis -- Thresholds for duty-free, tax-free, and e-commerce. Compare with U.S. $800 threshold.

11. Duty Relief and Special Programs -- Drawback, bonded warehousing, temporary importation, processing zones, trusted trader programs.

12. Compliance and Enforcement -- Audit lookback period, penalties, voluntary disclosure, appeal process.

13. Key Resources -- All official URLs, legislation references, key guidance documents organized in tables.

14. Quick Reference Cheat Sheet -- Condensed formula, key thresholds table, current additional duties summary, comparison table with other systems.

15. Disclaimers -- Not legal advice, rates change frequently, verify against official sources.

Required Elements

Every guide must include:

• Structural comparison table (this system vs. U.S. and/or other systems)
• Tariff number anatomy diagram (showing digit breakdown with labels)
• Complete landed cost formula (step-by-step, showing all layers)
• 3 worked examples with realistic products, tariff codes, and amounts:
  • Example 1: A duty-free or low-duty product (to show base case)
  • Example 2: A product with moderate duty (to show standard calculation)
  • Example 3: A product with additional duties/surtaxes (to show worst case)
• Key thresholds table (de minimis, registration thresholds, etc.)
• FTA/preferential treatment code table (all codes with partners and years)
• Official resource URLs table
• Key legislation reference table

Cross-References

When the audience has read a companion guide (e.g., the U.S. guide), use callout boxes to highlight differences:

• "Key difference from U.S." callouts for structural differences
• "Comparison with U.S." callouts for procedural similarities/differences
• Do NOT re-explain foundational concepts (HS basics, GRI rules, WTO Valuation Agreement) -- reference the companion guide

Writing Style

Tone

• Authoritative but accessible -- Write for professionals, not academics
• Framework-focused -- Teach how to look things up, not snapshot current rates (rates change; the framework is durable)
• Practical -- Include worked examples, decision trees, and step-by-step processes
• Comparative -- Constantly relate back to the reader's known system

Formatting

• Use markdown headers for hierarchy (## for chapters, ### for sections,

  for subsections)

• Use tables for structured data (rates, codes, comparisons)
• Use blockquotes (>) for key differences and comparisons
• Use code blocks for formulas, tariff number diagrams, and URLs
• Use bold for key terms on first use
• Keep paragraphs focused -- one concept per paragraph
• Target 8,000-15,000 words depending on system complexity

HTML Generation

Read references/html-template.md for the complete CSS design system and HTML template.

After writing the Markdown version, create a self-contained HTML version with:

Design System

• System font stack (no external font dependencies)
• Color palette: Slate-900 text, blue-500 accents, slate-50 backgrounds
• Sticky sidebar TOC (280px, fixed left, scrollable)
• Content area (800px max-width, left margin for sidebar)
• 4 callout types: Info (blue), Warning (amber), Tip (green), Important (red)
• Dark code blocks (slate-800 background)
• Styled tables (dark header, alternating rows, hover highlight)
• Formula boxes (dark gradient background, monospace font)
• Worked example boxes (dark header, body, result footer with red amount)
• Tariff anatomy diagrams (monospace, bordered box)
• Badge/chips (for status indicators: Active, Suspended, Repealed)
• Print stylesheet (hide sidebar, B&W-friendly, page breaks before h2)
• Responsive (hide sidebar below 1024px)

HTML Requirements

• Fully self-contained -- all CSS embedded in <style>, no external dependencies of any kind
• All internal anchor links must resolve -- every href="#id" must have a corresponding id="..." element
• Print-ready -- must look professional when printed to PDF
• No JavaScript -- pure HTML + CSS

Verification

After generating both files, verify:

1. File sizes -- MD should be 30-80KB, HTML should be 40-100KB
2. Anchor links -- Extract all href="#..." and id="..." from HTML; confirm every href has a matching id
3. External dependencies -- Confirm zero <link>, <script src>, or external url() references in HTML
4. Content completeness -- Confirm all required sections are present
5. Worked examples -- Confirm 3 examples with correct arithmetic

Output

Deliver two files in a dedicated directory:

{country}-tariff/
├── {country}-tariff-guide.md
└── {country}-tariff-guide.html

Both files should contain identical content -- the HTML is a styled rendering of the Markdown.

Guidelines

• Research thoroughly before writing. Launch parallel research agents to gather comprehensive data on all topic areas simultaneously.
• Be specific. Include actual tariff codes, regulation numbers, SOR/CFR references, and official URLs.
• Verify arithmetic in worked examples. Show each step so the reader can follow and verify independently.
• Use consistent terminology. Define terms on first use and use them consistently throughout.
• Date the document. Include the version date prominently and note that information reflects conditions as of that date.
• When uncertain about a current rate or status, state what was known and direct the reader to the official source for verification.
• Do not speculate about future policy. State current facts and pending legislation separately.
• Keep the HTML visually consistent with companion guides if they exist. Reuse the same CSS design system for a cohesive collection.