As of mid-October 2024, a major change will affect the procedure for submitting Binding Tariff Information (BTI) requests for international trade operators: the transition from the Soprano-BTI system, which has been used in France, to the new European EBTI (European Binding Tariff Information) portal. This change is part of a broader effort to modernize and harmonize customs practices across the European Union.

What is a Binding Tariff Information (BTI)?

A BTI is an official decision by customs authorities that provides a definitive tariff classification for goods being imported or exported. This classification determines the amount of customs duties applicable, offering valuable certainty for managing international trade operations. Valid for a maximum period of three years, a BTI issued in one EU Member State is recognized and binding in all other Union countries.

Note: The BTI procedure applies only to goods that are required to be presented to customs during the completion of customs formalities.

To be admissible, any BTI request must meet the following conditions:

• A BTI request can only be submitted for a genuinely planned import or export operation;
• It is not possible to submit a BTI request for imports or exports that have already been completed or for goods currently being cleared through customs.

The Transition to EBTI

Up until now, in France, BTI requests were handled through the Soprano-BTI online system. However, as of mid-October 2024, this system will be replaced by the European EBTI portal.

This migration aims to achieve several key objectives:

• Improved Communication: The EBTI portal will facilitate the exchange of information between economic operators and customs administrations, simplifying the handling of BTI requests at the European level.
• Real-Time Tracking: With EBTI, users will be able to track the status of their requests in real-time. The system offers automatic notifications at each stage of the process and an interactive dashboard for more transparent request management.
• Optimized User Interface: EBTI features an intuitive interface that allows users to view tasks and notifications in real time, save drafts, and manage files electronically, making the process more efficient and less prone to errors.