Challenge

Anyone who manufactures and sells materials testing machines classifies far more than just their own product portfolio in their day-to-day customs operations. ZwickRoell regularly receives customer goods to be tested on its own testing systems—products from a wide variety of industries with specifications far outside its own core business. It is precisely where years of product knowledge no longer help that in-depth classification and legally reliable justifications are needed. 

Thomas Maucher has been active in customs and foreign trade for over 25 years and has been the head of customs and export control officer at ZwickRoell since 2012. The company had passed previous customs audits without any objections. Nevertheless, he asked himself a strategic question: how can processes that are already good be further improved in terms of depth of documentation, speed, and regulatory coverage? 

The drive came from within. No audit, no external pressure. The objective was clear, says Thomas Maucher: more speed, more volume, better quality. 

Solution 

At the end of 2024, Thomas Maucher began systematically analyzing the market for AI-based customs classification. An initial conversation with Leonie Althaus, founder and CEO of traide AI, was followed by an intensive testing phase using real items from the ZwickRoell portfolio, rather than a test with dummy data. Other providers were screened, but none were evaluated in such depth. 

What convinced him: not just the classification results themselves, but the complete legal derivation behind them—traceable, source-based, and explainable at any time. Added to this was the conviction that the product is continuously evolving. There was a clear sense, says Thomas Maucher, that the product was not finished, but was steadily getting better. 

The roadmap for export control was also strategically relevant: traideExport, the AI-powered dual-use screening capability, was under development at the time—a decisive factor for a machinery manufacturer with products subject to export controls. 

Since July 2025, ZwickRoell has been using traideCompliance in production for both individual and bulk classification. The IFS integration is planned for 2027, in parallel with the scheduled ERP migration. 

Results 

Since launching in production in July 2025, over 3,000 products have been classified with a commodity code, at an adoption rate of 84 percent. Every classification is backed by a complete AI justification and source references, accessible and verifiable at any time. 

The biggest change is in the quality of the documentation. A depth of justification that could not be achieved manually—that is the assessment of Thomas Maucher, who is in a position to directly compare the difference with previous processes. 

The difference is particularly measurable when it comes to non-standard customer goods: items that the customs team is seeing for the first time are now classified with a solid legal foundation. The AI steps in precisely where experience with one's own portfolio is no longer sufficient. 

When asked whether traide results would stand up to a customs audit, Thomas Maucher is clear: the derivation is so well-substantiated that they would be in a strong position for any discussion with the customs authorities. 

▸ in production since July 2025 
▸ Over 3,000 products classified, 84% adoption rate 
▸ Complete AI justification with source references for every classification 
▸ Traceable customs classification even for non-standard customer goods 
▸ Classification results centrally documented and accessible at any time 
▸ IFS integration planned for 2027 
▸ traideExport (dual-use / export control) currently in the testing phase 

Why traide AI?

ZwickRoell knew the alternatives. The decision was made after a practical test using real items, based on a criterion that other providers could not match in a direct comparison: AI-supported customs classification with a complete, legally sound justification. 

Added to this is the way traide AI communicates with its customers: regular updates, webinars, and short videos showcasing new features. The customs team stays informed without having to actively search for information. 

Such is the confidence in the product that traide AI was recommended by ZwickRoell from its own customer base at an Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHK) event. We wouldn't have done that, says Thomas Maucher, if we weren't fully convinced of the product ourselves. 

Frequently Asked Questions on AI-supported Customs Classification in Mechanical Engineering

For which mechanical engineering companies is traideCompliance suitable? 
Particularly for companies with a high product diversity—and especially where non-standard goods must be classified alongside their own portfolio, such as test service providers or contract processors. Anywhere where classification depth, legal certainty, and audit compliance are business-critical. 

How does AI customs classification work without an existing ERP integration? 
traideCompliance works independently of the integration level. ZwickRoell has been using the platform since July 2025 for individual and bulk classification without a direct ERP connection. Getting started and realizing value are not dependent on an existing system integration. The IFS integration is modular and can be retrofitted; at ZwickRoell, it is scheduled for 2027. 

How does AI assist in the classification of unknown products? 
This is precisely where one of the greatest advantages over manual processes lies. traideCompliance analyzes product descriptions, technical documents, and URLs—even for items being classified for the very first time. The result: a fully justified tariff code that is backed by legal sources and can be explained to customs authorities at any time. 

Are AI-generated classifications audit-proof? 
traideCompliance provides a comprehensive AI justification with source references for every classification. The documentation is stored centrally, is accessible at any time, and is designed to withstand a customs audit. Thomas Maucher, head of customs at ZwickRoell with over 25 years of experience in customs and foreign trade, rates the derivation as robust enough for any discussion with the customs authorities. 

What role does export control play for machinery manufacturers? 
Dual-use and export controls are increasingly important topics in mechanical engineering. traideExport, the AI-driven export control solution from traide AI, analyzes technical product data for dual-use relevance and generates audit-proof reports. ZwickRoell is currently in the testing phase—a step that is strategically critical for machinery manufacturers dealing with export-controlled goods.