Applying for BOI: complete guide to Binding Origin Information
Everything you need to know about requesting a Binding Origin Information decision from EU customs authorities.
Binding Origin Information (BOI) is an official decision by customs authorities that legally establishes the non-preferential origin of a specific product. BOI is defined in the Union Customs Code (UCC), Articles 33 to 37, and provides legal certainty for a period of three years. It is the most powerful instrument for companies seeking certainty about the origin of their goods.
What exactly is a BOI?
A BOI is a written customs decision that:
- Is legally binding on all customs authorities in the EU
- Establishes the non-preferential origin of a specific product
- Is valid for three years from the date of issuance
- Applies only to the applicant and the specific product
When to apply for a BOI
- Anti-dumping risk: your product may fall under anti-dumping measures and origin is decisive
- Complex production: materials originate from multiple countries and it is unclear where LST takes place
- High values: the financial risk of incorrect origin determination is significant
- Disputes: you disagree with customs about the origin of your product
- New trade flows: you are starting import/export via new routes or with new suppliers
Application procedure
| Step | Description | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | Gather product information, BOM, production process | 1-2 weeks |
| 2. Submit application | Via the EU Customs Trader Portal (EU CTP) | 1 day |
| 3. Acknowledgement | Customs confirms receipt and completeness | 30 days |
| 4. Assessment | Customs analyses origin based on UCC criteria | 60-120 days |
| 5. Decision | BOI is issued with origin determination | Total max. 120 days |
| 6. Publication | BOI is published in the EU EBTI database | After issuance |
Information required for application
- Detailed product description with CN code
- Complete bill of materials (BOM) with origin per component
- Description of the production process per phase
- Value build-up (cost price calculation)
- Samples or technical drawings if relevant
- Supplier declarations for all materials
Advantages of a BOI
- Legal certainty: binding for three years across all EU customs authorities
- Predictability: clarity on applicable duties and measures
- Protection: evidence of good faith in disputes
- EU-wide: valid in all 27 member states
- Free of charge: no fees are attached to the application
Relationship with BTI
A BOI determines origin, a Binding Tariff Information (BTI) determines classification (CN code). Both are complementary:
| Aspect | BOI | BTI |
|---|---|---|
| Determines | Origin (country) | Classification (CN code) |
| Validity | 3 years | 3 years |
| Legal basis | UCC Art. 33-37 | UCC Art. 33-37 |
| Application | EU CTP | EU CTP |
How PSRA helps
PSRA generates the complete documentation needed for a BOI application: detailed bills of materials, production processes, value build-ups, and supplier declarations. The platform structures this information in the format customs authorities require, allowing your application to be submitted faster and more completely. After issuance, PSRA monitors the validity of your BOI and signals in time when renewal is needed.
Related articles
- Preferential vs non-preferential: which origin regime when?: Learn the key differences between preferential and non-preferential origin and when each regime applies to your goods.
- Non-preferential origin rules: Last Substantial Transformation explained: Understand the Last Substantial Transformation criterion that determines non-preferential origin under EU law.
- Circumvention in origin law: anti-circumvention and anti-dumping: How anti-circumvention and anti-dumping rules intersect with origin determination and what it means for importers.
Related downloads
- Whitepaper: Preferentiele oorsprong zonder risico: ROSA, BOI, and REX guidance with checklist templates for first audit sprint.
- Comparison: manual origin workflows vs PSRA: Showcase traceability and workflow speed-up versus spreadsheet process.
Related definitions
- Non-preferential origin: Non-preferential origin determines the economic country of origin for anti-dumping, quotas, marking, and trade statistics — independent of trade agreements.
- BOI: BOI refers to a binding origin or information decision that provides legal certainty.
- Audit trail: An audit trail records who did what, based on which source data, and with what decision logic.
- HS classification: HS classification is the assignment of the correct goods code to a product based on characteristics and use.