Questions about the new Temporarily Storage Declaration (ATO)

The most important changes were explained by Customs and Portbase in an information session. You can watch it back here:

Below you will find answers to the questions asked during this session. 

Does a declarant also have to submit an ATO for Union goods?

Yes, when goods are brought in by sea, an ATO must be submitted in order to place the goods into temporarily storage. This also applies to Union goods.

Companies that hold a ‘Permit for operating a regular shipping service (RSS)’ are exempt from the obligation to submit an ATO for Union goods. 

Do you use ‘Cargo Declaration Import’ via Portbase to submit the ATO? Then nothing changes in the current working method. 

For the benefit of the overall Port Community System (PCS), it is crucial that the ATO data is still sent in. This is necessary for other PCS services that support automated port processes. This prevents delays in logistical handling. Portbase no longer converts the received data into an ATO for submission to Customs.

How do we indicate in Portbase that the ATO falls under a regular shipping service (RSS) permit?

  • Web screens: at the start of the filing, tick ‘NONE’
  • IFTMCS: Qualifier ACD / FTX+ACD+NONE
  • API: Portbase Port Visit API

The HS Code is not mandatory for Union goods that arrive via a regular shipping service (RSS). How should this be handled in the IFTMCS?

In this case, the HS code does not need to be included.

Can I specify multiple discharge terminals under one B/L?

Unfortunately, this is not possible in our service Cargo Declaration Import. The B/L will have to be split into one terminal per B/L.

What should I do if the ENS is not submitted via Portbase?

Which additional data must be included in the IFTMCS file?

An overview of this data can be found on the support page. View here the full IFTMCS specifications of the TSD (version 5.8.9).

How will the pilot process work for us?

For parties that do not submit the ENS via Portbase, the pilot runs in exactly the same way. The only difference is that these parties must process the receive ENS MRN in the TSD.

Other Customs questions

During the information session, several questions were asked to Customs. The answers to these Customs-specific questions can be found on the website of the Dutch Customs Administration.  

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