How to Display Tariff Data on BOMs in Cetec ERP
In manufacturing environments, sourcing and trade costs are tightly monitored. Details matter - especially when it comes to tariff costs. You need a way to quickly see, within your BOM (Bill of Materials), whether a tariff is applied to each part. Here’s how this challenge plays out in Cetec ERP, and what your options are for modeling tariffs clearly and accurately across your system.
How Do I Create a Column for “Tariff Information” on the BOM Overview Screen?
The standard BOM Overview screen in Cetec ERP doesn’t support pulling in bonus column data from the “Part” record directly into a BOMComponent row. So, if you’ve created a custom (bonus) field on the Part record to capture tariff data, that value doesn’t automatically display in the BOM.
There are two options for viewing tariff information on the BOM Overview screen. The first option is to add a bonus column, and the second option is to utilize “Misc Charges” charges on your quotes**.
Before we evaluate which option to use, let’s walk through the process of setting up each choice:
Option 1: Add a Bonus Column to BOM Components
This is the cleanest path forward using current functionality:
- Navigate to Admin » Maintenance » Bonus Columns
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Locate the bonus column data tool for “PartRevisionDefinition”. This is the internal name for BOM Components.
- Create a new bonus column
- Name it “tariffs” (or whatever name makes sense for your workflow).
- Check the box to make the bonus column searchable -this lets you filter and display it in list views.
- Set up value inheritance
- Under “Object Types To Pull Values From,” select “Part”.
- This means your BOMComponent’s tariff field will automatically copy the value from its associated Part.
Note: This inheritance only works for new BOM components moving forward. Existing components won’t get updated retroactively.
If you need to populate historical BOMs with tariff values, this can be done manually or via a script- Cetec support can help with that, though it may involve billable time.
Option 2: Use Misc Charges in Quotes
Another approach for modeling tariffs is through the use of “Misc Charges” on quote worksheets. This method gives you flexibility during quoting and lets you display tariff-related costs as standalone line items. To use this approach:
- Under the Sales Quote Worksheet, tariffs can be added as a Misc Charge.
- These charges can be configured to display as individual lines and scale with quantity - just like other cost components such as labor or packaging.
For a deeper explanation, check out our guides:
Which Method Should You Use?
- Use bonus columns if your team needs to see tariff data directly on BOMs or analyze it across multiple components.
- Use misc charges if tariffs function more as a quote- or order-level surcharge and are less tied to individual components.
For some manufacturers, the best answer is to use both methods.
Pro Tip: If you’re already using bonus columns to track things like country of origin, RoHS compliance, or internal specs, the bonus column method will feel familiar. Just be sure to coordinate with your team so everyone understands where the data lives and how it’s used downstream in quoting or costing.
Cetec ERP gives users flexibility to model real-world data challenges. Whether you’re quoting, sourcing, or managing production costs, you’ve always got options. Want help tailoring your data setup? Reach out to our team - we’re happy to guide you.