ALBA, the 1st integrated conversational classification agent
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Conex, the French leader in customs clearance software solutions, gives birth to ALBA: its conversational agent specialised in customs tariff classificationTariff classification involves assigning a code to a good in order to determine the applicable customs duties, taxes, an... [+], natively integrated into declarants’ workspaces. Backed by 40 years of regulatory expertise and data updated in real time, ALBA achieves a 95% accurate classification rate, validated by human classification experts over several thousand queries in real-world conditions.
A professional response to a crucial need
Faced with the widespread use of consumer AI tools, more and more professionals are tempted to use generalist solutions to classify their goods. In an environment as regulated as customs, the risks are major: inspections, goods being blocked, litigation, financial adjustments.
ALBA was designed to meet this expectation for immediacy without sacrificing regulatory rigour. Its conversational interface, deliberately similar to consumer tools, allows for immediate adoption. But behind this ease of use, it is formalised business expertise and a continuously updated regulatory base that power every response.
An assistant integrated into the declarant’s workstation
Integrated at the heart of the Conex customs clearance environment, ALBA is an expert aid that the declarant can call upon at any time, directly from their workstation. Through a natural dialogue combining text, photos or documents, the agent analyses information, asks questions to refine understanding, cross-references regulatory sources and proposes the most relevant classification. The declarant retains control and responsibility for the final decision at all times. The tool provides analytical power and regulatory memory; the human provides professional discernment and context.
ALBA: 30 years of heritage
In 1995, Alban Gruson, founder of Conex, made a visionary bet: to dematerialise the customs tariff, which was then only available as a bulky paper binder or microfiche. This was the birth of the first SelecTarif Customs Encyclopedia, recently renamed TARIFF via conex™, now deployed in six European countries.
But Alban saw further: he dreamed of an “expert system” capable of guiding declarants through their tariff classification process. The technological limits of the time did not allow it. Conex never lost sight of this goal.
Thirty years later, ALBA makes it a reality. From the Latin “alba” — white, purity — its name embodies the requirement for precise and reliable classification, and pays tribute to the man who laid the first stone.
Press release issued on 16 February 2026
PRESS CONTACT – C3M Agency
Michelle Amiard, michelle@agence-c3M.com
About Conex
Conex is a publisher of software solutions dedicated to customs and security formalities. For 40 years, the company has been developing cutting-edge digital tools to support importers, exporters, carriers and registered customs representatives in the management and automation of their flows. Its platforms, including CUSTOMS via conex™, ZEN via conex™ and SAFE via conex™, are enhanced with artificial intelligence and blockchain to analyse documents, automate processing, make data reliable and guarantee its integrity. TARIFF via conex™, the reference customs encyclopedia, integrates ALBA, an AI conversational agent dedicated to tariff classification. LEO via conex™ completes this range of AI agents by handling the intelligent processing of commercial and logistics documents. Combined with advisory and training services, these solutions allow companies to combine productivity, regulatory compliance and innovation. Conex equips more than 2,000 customs departments in Europe.
“At Conex, innovation is not a recent turn, it has been a constant for 40 years. With ALBA, we are accelerating this movement by integrating the most advanced technologies in the service of deep customs expertise. It is this combination — state-of-the-art technology and business mastery — that makes the difference for our clients in an increasingly demanding environment” Bertrand Gruson - President of Conex
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Discover our solutions
A comprehensive software suite to meet your customs management needs.
CUSTOMS via conex™
An intuitive software solution dedicated to managing all electronic customs clearance procedures for all customs regimes. A secure SaaS solution connected to national and European customs systems for the creation and transmission of import and export customs declarations.
ZEN via conex™
The international collaborative customs platform designed to streamline the collection, sharing, centralisation, tracking, and archiving of all information required throughout the customs process. Ideal for documenting your information flows from the pre-declaration through to electronic archiving.
TARIFF via conex™
The new generation Customs Encyclopedia, boosted by AI agents for tariff classification of goods: customs tariff, Harmonized System Explanatory Notes (HSEN), Combined Nomenclature, official publications and texts, customs regulatory watch.
SAFE via conex™
The perfect software to manage pre-customs clearance formalities in Europe and Great Britain with complete peace of mind: ENS declarations (EU ICS2ICS2 (Import Control System 2) is the European Union's IT system for transmitting pre-customs clearance declarations for... [+], GB S&S), PNTS/ANTES and logistics envelopes (ELO, GMR, PBN) in compliance with regulations.
EXPRESS via conex™
The solution dedicated to managing data for the European H7 declaration, required for distance sales and e-commerce of low-value goods imported from third countries.
ACCISES via conex™
The software for managing goods subject to excise duties for the electronic processing of accompanying documents (EAD) and the management of excise goods accounting.
FACTO via conex™
Customs service invoicing software allowing you to automatically invoice your customs services based on declaration data.
EUROPSTAT via conex™
The software that automates your intrastat/EMEBI and ESD declarations, ensuring declarative compliance for all your exchanges of goods and services within the European Union.