What is the difference between TARIC code and tariff number?

The TARIC code is a ten-digit code that the European Commission updates daily and sets uniformly across the EU, determining which tariff rates, preferences or trade restrictions apply to a product. It builds on the six-digit HS code and the eight-digit Combined Nomenclature. The German tariff number goes one step further: it extends the TARIC code by an eleventh digit, which reflects national particularities such as certain excise duties. For actual customs declaration in Germany, only this eleven-digit tariff number is legally binding – the TARIC code alone is insufficient when declaring to German customs; it serves more as a European reference point.