December 01, 2021
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Binding Tariff Information decision (BTI)

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What is BTI?

Binding tariff information is an EU customs decision on the tariff classification of goods. It provides importers and exporters with legal certainty as to the correct classification of their goods and can be sought before importing or exporting goods.

What is the purpose of BTI?

The BTI is not a mandatory document, but the one issued ensures the correct tariff classification of the goods. In turn, the correct classification of goods means the correct calculation of duties and taxes, as well as the correct application of EU import and export restrictions and prohibitions.

What are main features of BTI decision?

BTI decision is:

  • issued by national customs authorities in the EU,
  • generally valid for 3 years throughout the EU, regardless of where it is issued,
  • binding on all EU customs administrations and the holder.

How to apply for a BTI decision?

EU Trader Portal is used for application and BTI-related correspondence. Please note that you should:

  • apply only if you are planning an import or export transaction,
  • make a separate application for each type of product,
  • give a detailed description of your goods, including images or samples, if possible,
  • ensure that all the information you provide is accurate and complete (any decisions based on incomplete or inaccurate information will be annulled).

Legal rules are set out in the Union Customs Code.

Database

You can view all currently valid BTI decisions in the public database:
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/ebti/ebti_home.jsp?Lang=en 

Comments ()

en
The classification of goods – It’s what you don’t know that brings you in trouble
26-03-2023

This is not a scientific paper claiming to be absolutely complete - it is rather a short examination (born out of the practitioner’s view) of the complexity of classification based on a simple article (with minor variations) and a pointing out of the (often, usually) missing information to classify an article completely (automated?) based on existing (tabular?) data. Let us now consider the complexity of classification in the EU nomenclature using a simple example. Let's take as an example a screw, more precisely a hexagon head screw.

Christopher Matt

classification
en
The classification of goods – It’s what you don’t know that brings you in trouble
26-03-2023

This is not a scientific paper claiming to be absolutely complete - it is rather a short examination (born out of the practitioner’s view) of the complexity of classification based on a simple article (with minor variations) and a pointing out of the (often, usually) missing information to classify an article completely (automated?) based on existing (tabular?) data. Let us now consider the complexity of classification in the EU nomenclature using a simple example. Let's take as an example a screw, more precisely a hexagon head screw.

Christopher Matt

classification
en, lt
Classification of a pipe transportation device: an article of aluminium or a container?
12-03-2023

Let's take a look at the second judgement issued by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) earlier this year on the tariff classification of goods (the first one was on classification of inflatable couches). This case is about a pipe transportation device: Should it be classified as an article of aluminium or a container? Accordingly, the import duty rate is 6% or 0%. The CJEU also clarified what a ‘container’ means for tariff classification purposes.

Ingrida Kemežienė

classification
en, lt
Classification of a pipe transportation device: an article of aluminium or a container?
12-03-2023

Let's take a look at the second judgement issued by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) earlier this year on the tariff classification of goods (the first one was on classification of inflatable couches). This case is about a pipe transportation device: Should it be classified as an article of aluminium or a container? Accordingly, the import duty rate is 6% or 0%. The CJEU also clarified what a ‘container’ means for tariff classification purposes.

Ingrida Kemežienė

classification
en, lt
Classification of inflatable couches: furniture or camping equipment?
12-03-2023

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has in the first 2 months of the year provided clarifications in 2 cases related to the tariff classification of goods. This shows that business is constantly confronted with questions of the proper classification of goods, which, for certain goods, we will overview. In this article, let’s start with the classification of inflatable couches: Are they furniture or camping equipment? The duty tariff would be 3.7% or 12%, respectively.

Ingrida Kemežienė

classification
en, lt
Classification of inflatable couches: furniture or camping equipment?
12-03-2023

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has in the first 2 months of the year provided clarifications in 2 cases related to the tariff classification of goods. This shows that business is constantly confronted with questions of the proper classification of goods, which, for certain goods, we will overview. In this article, let’s start with the classification of inflatable couches: Are they furniture or camping equipment? The duty tariff would be 3.7% or 12%, respectively.

Ingrida Kemežienė

classification
en
Does the duty rate always depend on the commodity code for the goods?
09-03-2023

Classification under a tariff subheading is not an end in itself but serves to determine which measures, tariff or other, should be applied to the goods concerned. However, in case of inward processing in the EU, the question has been raised, whether the duty rate of the processed goods at the time of release for free circulation must be applied in certain cases even though the tariff classification, customs value, and origin of the imported goods are the basis for the duty calculation.

Prof Dr Sandra Rinnert

classification
en
Does the duty rate always depend on the commodity code for the goods?
09-03-2023

Classification under a tariff subheading is not an end in itself but serves to determine which measures, tariff or other, should be applied to the goods concerned. However, in case of inward processing in the EU, the question has been raised, whether the duty rate of the processed goods at the time of release for free circulation must be applied in certain cases even though the tariff classification, customs value, and origin of the imported goods are the basis for the duty calculation.

Prof Dr Sandra Rinnert

classification
en
Advance Rulings on Tariff Classification: What? Why? Where?
01-03-2023

Since problems of classification of goods are relevant to all countries of the world, the WCO, as the "keeper" of the Harmonised System, has developed a number of tools for its correct and uniform application. These tools include Explanatory Notes, Compendium of Classification Opinions, Classification Decisions, Recommendations Related to the Harmonised System, and Advance Rulings for Classification. Let's look at the latter tool in more detail, including a practical tip on where to find Advance Rulings in different countries.

Taichi Kawazoe

classification
en
Advance Rulings on Tariff Classification: What? Why? Where?
01-03-2023

Since problems of classification of goods are relevant to all countries of the world, the WCO, as the "keeper" of the Harmonised System, has developed a number of tools for its correct and uniform application. These tools include Explanatory Notes, Compendium of Classification Opinions, Classification Decisions, Recommendations Related to the Harmonised System, and Advance Rulings for Classification. Let's look at the latter tool in more detail, including a practical tip on where to find Advance Rulings in different countries.

Taichi Kawazoe

classification
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