# Binding ruling request to CBP: who can ask, what to send, template

Any importer, or its authorized agent, with a direct and demonstrable interest can ask CBP for a ruling on a future import, under 19 CFR part 177. A tariff classification request goes to the National Commodity Specialist Division, by the eRulings template or by letter. CBP says it generally rules within 30 calendar days of receipt, and we found no fee in the regulation or on CBP's pages.


A binding ruling is CBP's written answer, before you import, on how it will treat a specific transaction: most often the tariff classification, but also origin, marking and valuation. If you only need to find a code, start with the [HTS code lookup](/en/hs/) and CROSS; this page is for when you want CBP's own answer.

## Who may ask, and when

A ruling may be requested by anyone who, as an importer or exporter of merchandise or otherwise, has a direct and demonstrable interest in the question, or by that person's authorized agent ([19 CFR 177.1(c)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.1)). An attorney or other agent must include a statement of the authority under which the request is made ([177.1(d)(4)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.1)).

The transaction must be prospective: one that has not resulted in any arrival or entry. Questions on a liquidated entry or another completed transaction may not be the subject of a ruling request ([177.1(a)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.1)). CBP issues no ruling on a hypothetical question, and none on an issue pending before the Court of International Trade or the Federal Circuit ([177.7](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.7)).

## How to submit

CBP says tariff classification requests, and certain marking, origin and trade-program requests, can be sent through the [eRulings template](https://erulings.cbp.gov/s/), which goes directly to the National Commodity Specialist Division (NCSD) in New York, or by letter to the Director, NCSD, 201 Varick Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10014 ([CBP](https://www.cbp.gov/trade/rulings/ruling-letters)). Valuation and carrier requests go by letter to the addresses on that page. The eRulings page says you get an acknowledgement with a binding ruling control number within one business day if the request arrives in good order, and the ruling comes back by email. A request may include no more than five items of the same class or kind.

## What the request must contain

From [19 CFR 177.2(b)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.2) and CBP's eRulings page:

- a complete statement of all relevant facts, with names and addresses of all interested parties, the port where the goods will be entered, and a description of the transaction;
- for classification: a full description of the article, its chief use in the United States, its commercial, common or technical designation, and, if made of two or more materials, the relative quantity (by weight and volume) and value of each; the purchase price and approximate US selling price when relevant;
- samples, photographs or drawings, and a laboratory analysis if one exists;
- copies of any invoice, contract or other document the question depends on, with an explanation of how it bears on the question;
- whether the same or an identical transaction has been considered, or is being considered, by any CBP office or by the Court of International Trade or Federal Circuit;
- if you ask for a particular result, a statement of position with the authority supporting it;
- identification of any trade secret or confidential information, with the reasons it should not be disclosed (ruling letters are otherwise available for public inspection);
- the signature of a person authorized to make the request.

## How long it takes, and what it costs

The eRulings page (last modified August 21, 2026) says the NCSD will generally issue rulings within 30 calendar days of receipt, that a laboratory report or consultation with another agency can cause delay, and that rulings which must be referred to Headquarters are issued by mail within 90 days of receipt. A request that does not meet the rules is returned with a notice, and the requester has 30 days to correct it ([177.3](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.3)).

Fee: we found none. Part 177 does not mention a fee and the CBP pages we read do not either, so we state no amount. This is a statement about what we read, not a guarantee.

## What the ruling does and does not do

A classification ruling is binding on CBP personnel for the transaction and articles it describes, until modified or revoked, and applies only to articles identical to the sample or to the description in the letter ([177.9](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.9)). Other people should not rely on it. Put a copy of the ruling, or its number, with the entry documents ([177.8(a)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.8)). After classification, see the [tariff layers that apply to the code](/en/tariff/stacking/).

## Request template

Built from the 177.2 list above. Replace each bracket; delete what does not apply.

```text
To: Director, National Commodity Specialist Division
    U.S. Customs and Border Protection
    201 Varick Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10014

Re: Request for a binding ruling: tariff classification

1. Requesting party: [name, address, email, telephone]
   Interest in the question: [importer / exporter / other direct and demonstrable interest]
   Authority to act, if an agent: [power of attorney or description]
2. Other interested parties: [names, addresses, manufacturer ID code if known]
3. Port(s) of entry: [port names, if known]
4. Transaction: prospective importation of [article] from [country of export]
5. Article: [full description in its imported condition]
   Component materials, by weight and volume, with relative value: [list]
   Chief use in the United States: [use]
   Commercial, common or technical designation: [name]
   Purchase price: [amount]   Approximate US selling price: [amount]
6. Enclosures: [photographs / drawings / sample / laboratory analysis / invoice / contract]
   How each enclosure bears on the question: [explanation]
7. Prior or pending consideration: To my knowledge, the same or an identical transaction
   [has / has not] been considered or is [or is not] being considered by any CBP office, the
   Court of International Trade or the Federal Circuit: [details]
8. Series of similar transactions: [yes, describe / no]
9. Position (optional): I ask that the article be classified in [HTSUS number] because
   [reasons], citing [authority: HTSUS notes, rulings, court decisions].
10. Confidential information: [identify what and why disclosure would cause substantial
    competitive harm / none]
11. Delivery: please address the ruling to [requester or its agent].

Signed: [name and title]   Date: [date]
```


## FAQ

**How long does a CBP binding ruling take?**

CBP's eRulings page says the National Commodity Specialist Division generally issues rulings within 30 calendar days of receipt, that a lab report or consultation with another agency can delay it, and that rulings referred to Headquarters are issued by mail within 90 days of receipt.

**Does CBP charge a fee for a binding ruling?**

We did not find one. 19 CFR part 177 contains no fee provision, and the CBP pages on ruling requests that we read do not mention a fee. We do not state a fee; ask CBP if you need confirmation.

**Can I ask for a ruling on goods already imported?**

Generally not. A ruling may be requested only for prospective transactions, and a question about a liquidated entry or any other completed transaction may not be the subject of a ruling request (19 CFR 177.1(a)).

**Does a ruling cover similar goods?**

No. A classification ruling is applied only to articles identical to the sample submitted or to the description in the ruling letter, and CBP can modify or revoke it (19 CFR 177.9).


## Sources

- [19 CFR 177.1, General ruling practice and definitions](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.1)
- [19 CFR 177.2, Submission of ruling requests](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.2)
- [19 CFR 177.9, Effect of ruling letters](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-177.9)
- [CBP, Requirements for Electronic Ruling Requests (last modified Aug 21, 2026)](https://www.cbp.gov/trade/rulings/eruling-requirements)
- [CBP, What are Ruling Letters?](https://www.cbp.gov/trade/rulings/ruling-letters)

Canonical: https://purserhouse.com/en/hs/binding-ruling/