How to fill out a customs declaration? How to manage compliance?

At the core of all our actions aiming to bring goods into the Union customs territory or to take them out is the customs declaration. An official document in which we tell customs what goods are crossing the border and that all related tariff and non-tariff requirements have been met. If we don’t get this right, we might face various issues, for example, the shipment might be not allowed to cross the border, or even might be confiscated, or an infringement procedure might be started. On the other hand, customs declaration can be the starting point of creating a compliance checklist for internal audits.

This is a practical course, the main focus of which is filling out the customs declaration and what does it take to get it right, and how to use the customs declaration for checking compliance in a systematic way. The course is one of the modules of the extensive Customs clearance and trade compliance in the EU training (see the brochure).

Lessons

The course cosists of three lessons:

1. Basics: what, why and how? 

• What is a ‘customs declaration’?
• What is a ‘customs procedure’? Why are there different procedures?
• Structure of a customs declaration. Groups of data elements. Titles of various customs declarations.
• Are there any other declaration or notification requirements?
• What is ‘customs formalities’?

2. How do we read or fill out a customs declaration? How can we use it for checking compliance in a systematic way?

• Analysis of a practical import case 
• How to know what goes into each SAD box?
• What is the modern approach to 'customs compliance'?
• How to check the compliance in a systematic way?

3. Access2Markets database for importers and exporters

• How to use the database and avoid some common mistakes? 

Before doing the quiz, please do the readings provided in the resources section and the practical task to fill out a customs declaration. In addition, you can watch the videos 'No customs declaration in the future?' and 'Post-clearance amendment of a customs declaration: Box 14 Declarant/ Representative' (included as optional videos) and read articles of interest on the platform during the entire learning period (after purchasing the course, you will get access to the articles).

Outcome

After taking this course, the learner shall:

• Understand how to 'read' or to fill out a customs declaration;
• Be aware of risks of not getting the customs formalities right;
• Know the modern approach to customs compliance and how to use the customs declaration to prepare a compliance checklist;
• Understand how to use the Access2Markets database and what knowledge is required to get the right results.

Upon successful completion of the quiz questions (more than 60% of the questions must be answered correctly), you will receive a certificate of completion.

Time

Please plan to dedicate around 3 hours to learning.

The customs declaration is an application for a decision to allow a procedure to take place regarding the goods specified.

Anthony Buckley

Customs Knowledge Institute: 🔗 Customs Knowledge Institute is an Irish not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to bring together passionate customs practitioners for the purpose of enhancing customs knowledge. 📧 support@customsknowledgeinstitute.org  

CustomsClear: we are the customs and trade compliance knowledge marketplace and our goal is to connect knowledge seekers with industry-related experts. Check other available 🔗courses.