Use 銷 when the object has man made physical form

Use 消 when the object has no man made physical form

We 吊銷牌照 and 銷毀武器

License and weapons have man made physical form

We 消滅 敵人 and 消除恐懼

If Enemy and fear have no man made physical form

Simply put, look at the object and you can guess it should be 消 or 銷 in the compound

Use 銷 when the object has man made physical form

Use 消 when the object has no man made physical form

We 吊銷牌照 and 銷毀武器

License and weapons have man made physical form

We 消滅 敵人 and 消除恐懼

Enemy and fear have no physical form, they are concepts

Simply put, look at the object and you can guess it should be 消 or 銷 in the compound