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Customer Notice 30.8.2016
Direct message exchange will be the only service channel for message exchange with Customs

Publication date 30.8.2016 14.51 | Published in English on 11.1.2017 at 16.59
Press release

In the next few years, with the implementation of a new customs clearance system, Customs will no longer support operator-based message exchange, only direct message exchange.

How to proceed when operator-based message exchange will no longer be used?

The end of operator-based message exchange means that customs declarations can only be lodged through direct message exchange or web declaration.

In July 2016, 83 % of the foreign trade-related customer messages sent to Customs already arrived through direct message exchange. During the summer, Customs changed its reporting system, due to which the new percentage is somewhat lower than the one mentioned in the customer notice published in June 2016. The trend has, however, remained the same and direct message exchange increases steadily towards 100 % utilisation rate.

Changing from operator-based message exchange to direct message exchange

  • A company can be granted authorisation for direct message exchange after it has created its own message exchange software or bought off-the-shelf software from a software supplier (A list of software suppliers in Finnish is available on the website of Tieke Ry)
  • The declarant can use an agent to submit customs declarations
  • The technical formation and sending of customs declarations to be submitted  can be assigned to a message exchange service provider
  • You can also start submitting web declarations instead of using direct message exchange
  • Customs will propose to operator companies that they integrate their message exchange to work with Customs’ interface for direct message exchange.

Advantages of direct message exchange for companies

Direct message exchange is a faster and more cost-effective service channel for the customer than operator-based message exchange. Customs declaration processing times have become shorter for message declarants who have changed to direct message exchange. Operational reliability and development of work processes has also improved in these companies. In the future, all attachments relating to customs clearances can be sent to Customs through direct message exchange.

What does direct message exchange require?

  • The use of XML messages >> The message descriptions are available on the Customs website
  • An authorisation to use direct message exchange >> An application form for message exchange with Finnish Customs (customs form number 934e) and instructions for completing it are available on the Customs website
  • Approved customer testing with Customs.

Further information:
Choose appropriate service channel
Customs website for eServices


                                 

Customer notice