Digital & toolsen
Paperless customs
The digital transformation of customs procedures replacing paper documents with electronic exchanges between traders and authorities.
Paperless customs is the process of replacing paper-based customs documents and procedures with electronic exchanges between economic operators and customs authorities.
Components of paperless customs include:
- Electronic declarations: all customs declarations are now filed electronically
- Dematerialised documents: invoices, certificates of origin, licences, transport documents
- Electronic signature: document validation through qualified digital signatures
- Electronic archiving: digital document retention with evidential value
Regulatory framework:
- The UCC (Union Customs Code) mandates full dematerialisation of customs-trader exchanges
- The European Commission's UCC IT programme plans the deployment of 17 trans-European IT systems
- eFTI (electronic Freight Transport Information, Regulation 2020/1056) mandates recognition of electronic transport documents
Benefits for operators: faster processing, reduced errors, complete traceability, reduced administrative costs, and compliance with WCO (World Customs Organization) international standards.