Message exchange customers in export: apply now for testing of new declarations

New export declarations will be introduced on 5 October 2024. Message declarants must test the new export declarations with Customs 

Testing schedule

You can start applying for this testing from 1 February 2024. Testing with Customs starts in April 2024. When your company has submitted its application for testing, Customs will then contact you to agree an exact date for the testing.

First, software suppliers and providers of message exchange services test the messages. After that, message exchange customers using their own server certificates will test the declarations. As a rule, messages are tested in the testing service for message exchange.

How do I apply for testing?

Export message customers can apply for testing in the Authorisations and Decisions Service. You log in to the service using Suomi.fi identification and the mandate code “Applying for customs authorisations”. Message exchange customers must have an EORI number. 

If your previous message exchange decision (SSA) is available in the Authorisations and Decisions Service, you can apply for change. If your previous decision is not available, click on “New application”.

Applying for testing – foreign companies

Companies established outside Finland can also apply for testing in the Authorisations and Decisions Service. This requires that the person representing the company has been granted a Finnish Authenticator ID and that the company is registered in the Digital and Population Data Services Agency’s mandate service provided by officials. Upon registration, the person in the company who can grant the required mandates for transactions to company employees is also designated. Read more about identification by foreign companies on the Customs website.

If it is not possible for a foreign company to use the Authorisations and Decisions Service, it should contact Customs by email at lupakeskus(at)tulli.fi, so that it can use the fallback procedure.

Who are required to do testing?

Software suppliers and service providers must test all test cases with Customs.

If a message exchange customer purchases the software from a software supplier that has already done the testing with Customs, but the customer submits messages from its own server, the customer must test a few test cases with Customs. 

If the message exchange customer’s messages are generated and submitted from the server of the provider of message exchange services, the customer is not required to test the declarations. Even in this case, however, the company must submit an application for message exchange to Customs.

More information: UCC(at)tulli.fi