Glossary / Binding Tariff Information (BTI)
Binding Tariff Information (BTI) — explained
Binding Tariff Information (BTI) is an official classification decision issued by the competent customs authority when there is a dispute over which GTİP code applies to a given item; it binds the authority itself for six years from the date it is issued.
BTI is issued, on application to the Ministry of Trade, by the authorised Customs and Trade Regional Directorates, and it is free of charge to the applicant; only the cost of any chemical analysis or expert examination of the goods falls to the applicant. It is based on Article 9 of Customs Law No. 4458, can be relied on only by the holder named in the decision, and applies only to transactions carried out after the date of issue.
BTI is not the routine GTİP choice made on a declaration — it is a formal decision, obtained on application, that settles a dispute over a GTİP in advance and officially. Companies that receive conflicting GTİP suggestions for the same product, whether from the authorities or from other sources, prefer to settle the dispute once with a BTI rather than reopening it with every shipment.
The binding effect is not one-sided: BTI also binds the authority, meaning the customs administration cannot go against the decision it has itself issued. But this binding effect applies only to transactions after the date the decision was issued, and only to the person in whose name the BTI was issued — it does not retroactively change a declaration already registered in the past.
When You Encounter It
BTI becomes relevant when different sources suggest different GTİP codes for the same product, or when a classification disagreement with the authorities keeps recurring — especially for products that are imported or exported continuously and sit on a technical borderline. The warning on our GTİP lookup tool points to exactly this: a lookup result is a GTİP suggestion, not a decision that binds the authority; the step that makes a suggestion binding on the authority is a BTI application.
The application is made before the shipment begins, because the evaluation takes time and requires a technical description of the product and, if needed, a sample. BTI creates the most value for companies with a stable product range that import or export the same item repeatedly; waiting for it for a one-off shipment generally lengthens the process.
What It Doesn't Cover
- BTI applies only to transactions to be completed after the date the decision was issued, and only to the holder named in it; a BTI obtained by another company cannot be relied on by you.
Often Confused With
| Comparison | Difference |
|---|---|
| Binding Tariff Information (BTI) vs GTİP | GTİP is the code that shows a product's classification in the tariff schedule and can be a point of dispute between you and the authorities. BTI is a separate decision that makes this classification binding on the authority through a formal application — it is not GTİP itself, but the document that closes the dispute over GTİP in advance. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you obtain Binding Tariff Information (BTI)?+
It is obtained through a written or electronic application to the Ministry of Trade's authorised Customs and Trade Regional Directorates; the application requires a file showing the technical characteristics of the product. It is free of charge to the applicant, except that the cost of any chemical analysis or expert examination falls to the applicant.
How long is BTI valid for?+
It is valid for six years from the date it is issued (Customs Law No. 4458, Article 9/4). However, this period is not unconditional: if a change to the Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule conflicts with the issued BTI, the BTI loses validity even before the six years are up (Article 9/5-a).
Who issues BTI?+
It is issued by the authorised Customs and Trade Regional Directorates, on application to the Ministry of Trade. The decision also binds the customs authorities — meaning the authority cannot go against the BTI it has itself issued.
Is BTI chargeable?+
It is issued free of charge to the applicant. However, if chemical analysis, expert examination of the goods, or return of the sample to the applicant is required, these costs are borne by the applicant.
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Related Terms
Where This Term Comes Up in Our Work
Binding Tariff Information (BTI) is one of the documents we track in our foreign trade consultancy service.
Foreign Trade ConsultancyGuidance on choosing the customs regime, fixing the tariff position with Binding Tariff Information, and assessing incentives and exemptions.The Turkish original of this page was reviewed by our licensed customs broker. This translation is provided for information; the Turkish version prevails.
Source
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade — Customs Guide: What Is Binding Tariff Information (BTI)? — Legal basis: Article 9 of Customs Law No. 4458 and its secondary legislation. The six-year validity period comes from paragraph 4 of Article 9; loss of validity due to a change in the tariff schedule comes from sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 5 of Article 9.
Last updated: September 27, 2026