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2024 EU Regulatory - NCTS

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NCTS stands for ‘New Computerised Transit System’, which has been introduced by the Union Customs Code (UCC). NCTS is the electronic system for submission and finalization of transit declarations, to enable the movement of goods by road destined or transiting the European Union (EU27*) and the Common Transit Convention (CTC**) countries.

  • NCTS gives customs authorities the ability to track the transit of goods moved by road transport in real-time and identify any possible risks or irregularities.
  • NCTS requires the electronic interchange of data and the compilation of transit declarations between customs authorities and carriers.
  • With the enhancement of NCTS4 to NCTS5, the Union Customs Code (UCC) is raising the bar for electronic data transfer for Transit goods.  With the release of NCTS5, carriers need to submit line item data elements to customs authorities. 
  • NCTS5 go live dates vary per country. Transitional period ends by the 2nd of December 2024, Union Customs Code (UCC) deadline

How Can Shippers avoid delays?

In order to avoid delays, it is important that shippers provide complete and accurate commercial / proforma invoice line item data electronically via one of the DHL Express Electronic Shipping Solutions.

Among others, the most critical data elements to ensure a smooth NCTS5 filing & customs clearance at import are:

  1. Line Item Goods Descriptions：Please provide accurate commodities description, using detailed, precise & plain language. Additional examples of unacceptable descriptions in the EU Commission document.
  2. Line Item Harmonized System (HS) Code：Please include the respective Harmonized System (HS) Code (at least the first 6 digits) on line item level for each of the different commodities. The HS Nomenclature edition is publicly available on the WCO website.
  3. Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI) Number：Please provide the Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI) number of the EU consignee, whenever assigned and where applicable. To learn more about the EORI number of the EU27 consignee, please read the EU guidelines here.

   *   European Union (EU27) countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland,  
        Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
* *   Common Transit Convention countries: Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.