Automate the Container Release Message in Dutch Ports

It has been two years since the introduction of the Container Release Message (CVB, in Dutch “Container Vrijgave Bericht”). Are you sending your goods presentation now automatically to Customs? Or are you still submitting your further customs declarations after the Arrival of the Ship (ATA)? We notice that there are still companies unfamiliar with the CVB, experiencing delays in their logistics processes as a result. In this article, we highlight how you can fully benefit from the CVB.

What is the CVB process?

Introduced in October 2021, the CVB is no longer a newcomer. With the CVB, Customs matches the customs declaration of a customs broker or importer with the Declaration for Temporary Storage (ATO) from a shipping company or freight forwarder (B/L and weight). Customs declaration can only be submitted after the ATA in the Dutch port. Earlier submissions or data (B/L weight) differing  from the ATO result in rejection of the further declaration.

The most efficient approach is therefore to use a preliminary declaration in combination with the automatically generated goods presentation. If your customs software is well integrated with Portbase, it can automatically send the presentation message to Customs without manual intervention. This is automatically activated when your goods arrive in the Dutch port or when your goods are unloaded. This prevents longer waiting times at a terminal, congestion at pick-up, and possible additional costs.

Therefore, seamless integration between your customs software, Portbase, and Customs is essential to significantly speed up and simplify your logistics process.

How does the CVB work in Gateway?

As a Dutch customs software provider, Gateway collaborates closely with various authorities, including Customs and Portbase. Below is a description of the CVB process with customs pre-declaration in Gateway.

The shipping company or freight forwarder submits an ATO in advance to Customs. Then, as the customs broker or importer, you create a customs preliminary declaration in Gateway for the import of goods. In Gateway, you can also directly send the Notification Import Documentation (MID, in Dutch “Melding Import Documentatie”) to Portbase via integration. Customs provides the MRN after your preliminary declaration and before the ship's arrival.

Once the ship arrives in the Dutch port, Gateway receives a API trigger from Portbase and automatically sends the goods presentation (DMS) to Customs. Customs then immediately provides the release message, allowing you to pick up the cargo and transport it to your destination immediately.

🚢 If you are unfamiliar with MID, you can read more about our Portbase solution in this article: Register Your Containers with Portbase at Ease

If you are not yet using the automated goods presentation and experiencing delays, or if your ships arrive outside your working hours, please contact us to automate your container import process.