Certificates for message exchange

In message exchange with Customs, customers are authenticated using two-way SSL/TLS authentication with certificates from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).

Changes in 2026: you need a client certificate and a server certificate

Because of the changes to DVV’s certificates, two certificates will be introduced in message exchange with Customs:

  • The client certificate will be used for signing messages and authenticating customers. 
  • Using the message notification service or GoodsShipmentInfo (GSI) will also require a server certificate.

You can use your current server certificate until it expires.
When your server certificate expires, you should order a new client certificate from DVV for message exchange and, where necessary, also a server certificate for the message notification service and GoodsShipmentInfo (GSI).

The certificate change applies to all other message exchange except for EU message exchange. In addition, the change applies to the Fintaric distribution service.

Client certificate

The client certificate (Client Authentication) will be used for signing messages and authenticating customers.

Validity period and application

Apply for the client certificate from the DVV: How to order a server certificate

You can automate the renewal of the client certificate in the DVV’s ACME service. DVV will offer the service to customers on estimate in August 2026.

The validity period of client certificates is 12 months, and the VAT number of the client company must be stored as the value in the "SerialNumber" field of the client certificate.

Server certificate

A server certificate (Server Authentication) is required to use the message notification service or the web service GoodsShipmentInfo (GSI). A server certificate granted by DVV that complies with the eIDAS Regulation can be used as the server certificate.

Validity period and application

Apply for a server certificate from DVV: How to order a server certificate

The validity period of server certificates granted before 15 March 2026 is 12 months, and

the validity period of server certificates granted on or after 15 March 2026 is 6 months.

The validity periods will shorten in the future: from 15 March 2027, the server certificate is valid for 3 months and in 2029 the validity period will shorten to 47 days.

You can automate the renewal of the server certificate in the DVV’s ACME service. DVV will offer the service to customers on estimate in August 2026.

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