Transit declaration and transit authorisations

The transit declaration can be submitted online or in message format. A customs authorisation is required for message exchange.

How do I create a transit declaration electronically?

You can create a transit declaration online via Customs’ website either as an unidentified user or as an identified user. You identify yourself by using Suomi.fi identification. The Customs Transit Declaration Service also has a link through which you can obtain the Katso ID.

The transit can also be created in message format with a programme created for this purpose. To create a transit in message format you need an authorisation for message exchange.

Information content of a transit declaration

When you fill in the transit declaration on the internet each section has an info-box, which tells you what you should fill in. Information needed for message exchange can be found on Customs’ website under E-Services. Both locations state whether the information is mandatory or optional and whether the information should be given as a code, a number or in letters, as well as how many characters can be filled in.

Goods description

The goods description is an essential part of transit. It has to be exact enough, so that the right amount of transit guarantee can be determined. Furthermore, the goods must be identifiable by description, if Customs wants to inspect the goods. Entering the commodity code is optional. Even if the commodity code provides more detailed information on the goods, the goods description still has to be entered in the transit declaration, for instance, by mentioning the common trade name of the goods. If the transit contains many different goods, they have to be declared as individual consignments.

Points to consider

A declaration submitted via the internet can be corrected by creating a new declaration. The declaration can still be corrected when you’re opening the transit procedure. A declaration you’ve submitted can be corrected up until you’ve received the acceptance message from Customs. After this, the declaration cannot be corrected, instead you have to cancel the transit and create a new declaration.

If, for some reason, you would like to cancel or invalidate a transit declaration, you have to contact Customs’ Electronic Service Centre. If Customs’ has not yet placed the transit under the procedure, it can be invalidated. But if the transit has already been placed under the procedure, it can be cancelled. In these cases, the transit goods can be returned to the procedure that preceded the transit, for example, to the temporary warehouse or to the customs warehouse. If the goods have already been transited and are on their way to the destination, the transit can no longer be cancelled. Then the transit must be discharged at the destination or with a message from the authorised consignee.

The transit principal can request invalidation with form no. 285s “Passituksen mitätöintipyyntö” (Transit invalidation request). The form is sent to the customs office that opened the transit. If the company is an authorised consignor, the request is sent to the Electronic Service Centre spake.passitus(at)tulli.fi

Anyone can use the transit procedure without the authorisations related to simplification.

If you regularly want to use the transit procedure, it pays to obtain an authorisation for simplifications. Transit simplifications are: Comprehensive guarantee, transit authorised consignor and consignee as well as the authorisation for using seals of a special type.

  • The comprehensive guarantee authorisation gives you the right to use bank guarantee, which means that you don’t have to lodge a guarantee to Customs covering the transit taxes for each transit.
  • If there is no customs office where your company is located, then it would be worth considering applying for an authorised consignor’s transit authorisation. Then you don’t have to visit a customs office and you can act as an authorised consignor from any warehouse approved by Customs. The authorised consignor’s status requires a comprehensive guarantee authorisation.
  • In addition to the authorised consignor’s authorisation it pays to obtain an authorisation for using your own seals. The seal makes it easier to identify the goods at the border customs office or at the destination. The holder of the authorisation has the right to seal the transport or parcels themselves, and does not have to visit a customs office to attach the seal. However, the seals do have to fill the Customs requirements.
  • The authorisation for sealing can be applied for even if the company is not an authorised consignor.
  • If your company has a warehousing authorisation, you can apply for the status of authorised consignee. Then you can apply for an unloading permit by sending an electronic message and you will not have to visit a customs office.

 

Transit authorisations can be applied for at the Customs Authorisation Centre. The application forms are available on the Customs website.