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Guide

Binding Tariff Information (BTI): legal certainty for your classification

Updated on 19 July 2026

A Binding Tariff Information (BTI) is an official decision by a customs authority on the tariff classification of specific goods. It is binding throughout the EU for the issuing authorities and the holder, normally for three years.

A BTI turns a classification opinion into legal certainty: once issued, customs offices in every member state must accept the stated code for the described goods. This guide covers when a BTI makes sense, how the application works, and how existing decisions help classify similar goods.

When does a BTI make sense?

A BTI is worth the effort when the classification is genuinely uncertain and the stakes are high. Typical situations include:

  • New products with unclear classification, especially where candidate codes carry different duty rates
  • Goods near the boundary of anti-dumping measures, suspensions, or licensing requirements
  • High or recurring import volumes where a later reclassification would be expensive
  • Disagreements with a customs office or diverging classifications across suppliers

How to apply for a BTI

Applications are filed electronically through the EU Trader Portal. In Germany, the competent authority is the Hauptzollamt Hannover.

The application must describe one specific product in enough detail to classify it: composition, function, presentation, and where useful photos, data sheets, or samples. The authority takes its decision within 120 days of accepting the application. The decision itself is free of charge; costs can arise for laboratory analyses or expert reports.

How long is a BTI valid and how binding is it?

A BTI is generally valid for three years from the date it takes effect. It binds the customs authorities of all EU member states and, since the Union Customs Code, the holder as well: the holder must declare the goods under the stated code.

A BTI can lose validity earlier, for example when the nomenclature changes or a court ruling contradicts it. In many cases holders can apply for a period of extended use of up to six months to wind down existing contracts.

Using the EBTI database for classification

The European Commission publishes issued BTIs in the public EBTI database. Decisions for comparable goods are a strong reference: they show how customs authorities have actually classified similar products and with what reasoning.

Zolltarif-Finder searches relevant BTI decisions automatically during classification and cites them as evidence with each proposed code. Cited rulings are recorded per decision, so every classification shows which official references support it.

Frequently asked questions

What does a BTI cost?

The decision itself is free of charge. The applicant bears costs only where the authority incurs expenses, for example laboratory analyses, expert reports, or returning samples.

How long does it take to receive a BTI?

The customs authority decides within 120 days of accepting the application. The period can be extended in justified cases, for example when laboratory analysis is required.

Is a BTI mandatory for imports or exports?

No. A BTI is voluntary. Companies remain free to classify goods themselves; the BTI simply makes the classification legally binding for the described goods.

Does a BTI from another EU country apply in Germany?

Yes. A BTI issued by any member state binds the customs authorities of the entire EU. It applies only to its holder and the goods described in the decision, but published decisions are a valuable reference for similar goods.

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