Changes in the Customs Transit Application (DVA)

In 2003, the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) was introduced, replacing the paper-based customs transit process. As the world evolves, so does customs legislation. In 2016, the Union Customs Code (UCC) came into effect, necessitating adjustments to the NCTS. From the 4th quarter of 2024, businesses can transition to the Customs Transit Application (DVA, in Dutch “Douane Vervoer Applicatie”) for customs transit processes. But what changes can businesses expect in DVA? This article outlines the key changes of DVA.

New structure of the declaration

In DVA, the layout of the declaration undergoes a transformation. While a customs transit declaration in NCTS Phase 4 consists of two layers (declaration and item level), DVA adds additional layers at the item level. This results in more detailed information, split into three layers (master consignment, house consignment, and consignment item) in addition to the envelope layer.

• Envelope (IE015): a selection of data elements also present in other layers of the declaration.
• Master consignment: generic information about the transit agreement provided by the carrier and the direct contracting party.
• House consignment: generic information about the lowest transit agreement provided by the forwarder, a common carrier, their agent, or a postal provider.
• Article of the house consignment: sub-level of the house consignment with details about the goods, description, packaging, weight, goods code, etc.

In DVA, mandatory and optional fields remain. It's new that each DVA declaration must contain a six-digit HS code. The pre-arrival declaration is now implemented Europe-wide, which doesn't change anything for you but means different messages are exchanged within the system. With regards to the presentation notification of transit departure, only the name changes (IE080 becomes IE170).

National DVA adjustments

The issuance of the Master Reference Number (MRN) occurs earlier (in a different IE message) than in other EU countries. The Netherlands is a transit country. MRN was already issued early in NCTS Phase 4.

The announcement of inspection is not only made to Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) but to all parties, both at departure and arrival. This is only applied in the Netherlands.

After the goods arrive at the destination office, the declarant is informed that customs transit has ended by receiving a copy of IE006.

New office role “incident office'

If, for example, a seal is broken during transit or a load needs to be transferred, you report this incident to the nearest customs office, the ‘incident office.' This may be a different office than the 'office of destination.'

New is that Customs registers incidents in the digital system. As the declarant (the holder of the customs permit), you receive the new message 'Forwarded incident notification' (IE182). This is new because the 'transit office' role has been added to the customs system.

A planned transshipment of a container (for example, from truck to barge) does not fall under incidents but under the regular process. Mentioning the registration number of the other vessel or vehicle next to the container number is no longer mandatory in DVA.

New office role 'office of exit at transit’

After submitting the export declaration, you submit a transit declaration. The export is confirmed, and the transit starts or continues under the customs transit scheme. In the background, messages are exchanged with the Automated Export System (AES) to verify that both declarations are identical. Therefore, it is important to carefully enter the data in the transit declaration.

This integration with AES results in another new office role: 'office of exit at transit.' This is essentially a 'fictional' office of departure. It's a name to identify this (automatic) process step in the declaration process.

Customs messages in DVA

If the declaration is linked with AES and changes are made, you receive the message 'Notification of declaration amendment' (IE022).

If a declaration is rejected at the departing office due to a functional error (non-technical), you receive a rejection message (IE056, formerly IE016).

If a declaration is rejected at the destination office due to a functional error, you receive the message 'Rejection by office of destination' (IE057, formerly IE008 or IE058).

If Customs wishes to inspect the shipment at the departing office, you receive the message 'Notification of inspection' (IE060), which remains unchanged.

If Customs wishes to inspect the shipment at the destination office, you receive the message 'Notification of inspection by office of destination-TG' (IE061). This message is new and applies only to Authorised Consignees.

Other changes in DVA

Printing the Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) is no longer mandatory, but the layout is adjusted to the new system.

The abbreviation for MRN in DVA now stands for Master Reference Number instead of Movement Reference Number.

📅 Do you want to knwo more about the DVA implementation planning and the deadline for the transition? Read our article: The end of an era: NCTS becomes DVA

If you want to learn more about the changes and implementation of DVA, please don’t hesitate to contact us.