What is the cost of incorrect tariff classification to your organization? A BTO solution can save you millions.

Slinkert & Aarøe
1 day ago
3 min read

What is a Binding Tariff Information (BTI)?

A Binding Tariff Information (BTI) – or Bindende Tariferingsoplysning (BTO) – is an official decision issued by the EU customs authorities that determines the correct tariff classification for your goods.

A BTI provides legal certainty, ensures accurate duty payments, and guarantees that your company operates on equal terms with competitors across the EU.

A BTI is:

Legally binding for both the company and the customs authorities.
Valid for three years throughout the entire EU.
Required for import and export declarations.

In short: It protects your business from misclassification, unexpected duty rates, and disputes with authorities.

Why is a BTI important for your business?

Do you import or export products that are technically complex, made from multiple materials, or carry high value? Then a BTI is your guarantee of predictability and compliance.

A BTI enables you to:

Ensure accurate tariff classification and avoid costly errors
Achieve reliable cost forecasts across the entire supply chain
Reduce delays and disputes in customs clearance
Strengthen your compliance posture and documentation quality.

Without a BTI, tariff classification becomes a matter of interpretation, and interpretation can cost you time, money, and reputation.

Why should you act now?

A BTI is voluntary, but the consequences of not having one are increasing significantly, especially when exporting outside the EU to markets such as the US, Mexico, the UK, or the Middle East. In these regions, deviations in tariff classification are often met with heightened inspections, delays, or requirements for re-classification.

With a BTI in place, you strengthen your position:

Faster and smoother customs clearance, as you can document your tariff decisions to foreign authorities
Lower internal costs, by avoiding recalculations, classification disputes, and repetitive documentation tasks
Stronger compliance, both in supplier communication and in contractual agreements with international customers
Robust risk management, your classification cannot suddenly be overruled or interpreted differently by an authority or a third-country customs office

And with new EU regulations such as CBAM, increased scrutiny on steel and metal imports in the US, and tighter import requirements in countries like Mexico, accurate and well-documented tariff classification is becoming essential to avoid extra costs and delays.

In short: A BTI provides predictability at a time when the rest of the world is tightening its customs procedures.

Take control before the authorities do

We see it time and time again: companies spending unnecessary time, money, and resources managing tariff classification and communication with the customs authorities themselves.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

At Slinkert & Aarøe, we manage the entire BTI process on your behalf, from the initial assessment to final approval by the authorities. We handle all dialogue with Customs, ensure complete and accurate documentation, and deliver a solution that gives you clarity, precision, and compliance from day one.

We already do this for several of Denmark’s largest companies, acting as their external customs and classification partner.

We do the work for you — from start to finish

✔ Identify which products require a BTI

✔ Collect and quality-assure all technical documentation

✔ Prepare and submit the BTI application on your behalf

✔ Manage all communication with Customs throughout the process

✔ Implement approved BTI classifications in your internal systems

✔ Build simple, robust compliance routines that strengthen your operations going forward

“Tariff classification is not something you should have to guess. We handle the BTI application and the entire dialogue with the authorities for you - quickly, accurately, and without bureaucratic hassle. Let us take responsibility so you can stay focused on your business,” explains Nicolaj Aarøe, Partner, Slinkert & Aarøe