The transit reference amount is the maximum amount of outstanding customs duty and tax liability (customs duty, VAT and excise duty).
The transit reference amount is based on the realised transits for one year as well as on an estimate of the future requirement.
Example for calculating the reference amount
The one-time reservation to be reserved for a single transit €10 000 x the maximum number of simultaneously open transits 10 = reference amount €100 000.
The one-time reservation is the average amount of customs duties and taxes relating to one transit. For new operators, who do not have a transit history, the one-time reservation is €10 000. The one-time reservation should correspond as well as possible to the actual amount of customs duties and taxes. If the customs duties and taxes of a transit clearly differ from 10 000 euros, the one-time reservation should be the actual amount of customs duties and taxes for new operators as well.
When applying for comprehensive guarantee authorisation, you can enter the transit reference amount, the one-time reservation and the maximum number of transits open at the same time, in the box for further information.
According to EU legislation, the operator must monitor and ensure that the amount of customs duties and taxes relating to open transits does not exceed the reference amount. If the reference amount is insufficient, the operator should contact the customs office of guarantee (lupakeskus@tulli.fi) before starting the procedure.
Guarantee for reference amount in different guarantee categories:
| Guarantee category | BD | BC | BB | BA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reference amount | 0 % | 30 % | 50 % | 100 % |
Real-time guarantee reservations from other Member States are not currently used for EU-wide import debt guarantees. Guarantee amounts required by other Member States are reserved in fixed amounts from the comprehensive guarantee issued to Finland. Customs clearances conducted in Finland are processed in the same way as national customs clearances.
According to the Union Customs Code, authorised economic operators (AEOs) are entitled to reductions of guarantees required for customs debt and other charges.
EU-wide guarantee for debt in different guarantee categories:
| Release into free circulation | Guarantee category |
Customs duty | VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEOC | AB | 30 % | 30 % |
| Others | AA | 100 % | 100 % |
An EU-wide liability guarantee can be used in transit, warehousing and other special import procedures.
According to the Union Customs Code, when a company meets certain preconditions, a reduction can be granted for any possibly incurred customs debts and other payments, or the company may be exempt from lodging a guarantee. The customer must not have a record of any serious payment disruptions or credit malfunctions (e.g. bankruptcy, reorganisation or distraint). In addition, the customer must meet the general requirements relating to comprehensive guarantees, as well as the specific requirements based on guarantee category.
When determining the amount of liability guarantee, customers are placed into guarantee categories based on their solidity and payment behaviour. Companies must meet requirements specific to the different guarantee categories, for example relating to accounts and in-house control. In guarantee categories BD, BC and BB, customers must also have sufficient funds in relation to the reference amount.
EU-wide guarantee for liability in different guarantee categories:
| Guarantee category | BD | BC | BB | BA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customs duty and excise duty |
0 % |
30 % |
50 % |
100 % |
| VAT | 0 % |
30 % |
50 % |
100 % |
Warehousing, specific use and processing
EU-wide liability guarantees do not presently involve real-time guarantee reservations for warehousing, special use (temporary admission and specific use) and processing (inward and outward processing). Guarantees required by other Member States are reserved in fixed amounts from the comprehensive guarantee issued to Finland. Procedures started in Finland (except storage) are handled in the same way as national customs clearances.
Transit
When Customs determines guarantees for transit, the transit reference amount, i.e. the maximum amount of open tax liability (customs duties, VAT and excise duties), is taken into account according to guarantee category. A transit guarantee is reserved when starting a procedure and it is released when the transit goods have arrived at their destination. Transit liability is released only when the transit is concluded.
Guarantee is reserved in an amount defined by Customs and the customer as a single average deposit, regardless of the actual amounts of customs duties and taxes relating to transit.
The customer must ensure and monitor that the amount of customs duties and taxes relating to open transits does not exceed the reference amount.