These rulings (‘Binding Rulings’ in the US and ‘Advanced Rulings’ in Canada) are official and legally binding decisions from Customs regarding the HS Tariff Classification, origin, value, marking, or admissibility. These rulings can be invaluable at the time of crossing and during an audit.
A binding/advanced ruling is of particular value to a business if what it is importing is complex or can potentially be interpreted in multiple ways.
It ensures that your import will be treated in a predetermined way when it crosses Customs and is legally binding, so it eliminates the need for arbitration should a disagreement arise.
Leverage industry experts to obtain definitive Customs classification on your goods.
Preempt protracted litigation by settling ambiguities before you import.
Once acquired, your binding/advanced ruling is legally binding into perpetuity.
Customs regulations most typically take the form of enshrined laws and rules, but equally important to these laws are the written precedents and exceptions that have accumulated since those laws came into effect. Without an intimate knowledge of these precedents and exceptions, an importer may find themselves at a stark disadvantage - particularly when seeking a binding/advanced ruling. Our team is adept at reviewing your commodity’s composition, supplier, buyer, industry, and production to find relevant rulings and precedents on goods comparable to your commodities. With decades of experience in Customs brokerage working for you and your business - we are confident in our ability to find the most accurate ruling for your import.
Additionally, PCB can handle the administration of your binding/advanced ruling, including the submission of a correctly filed application. Using our services in this way ensures an application free of costly errors or missed opportunities.
Making a binding/advanced ruling request serves several purposes. If the exact nature of an import is in doubt, or there is confusion in the valuation, classification, or origin of the import, this process clarifies its exact nature in a binding ruling before it reaches Customs.
In doing this, you can ship with confidence, mitigate any ambiguity or additional owed duties at Customs, and avoid potentially costly legal arbitration that could have unfolded should you have shipped without a ruling.
