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On behalf of the General Customs Directorate, the Information Technology Center Bund (ITZBund) successfully implemented Release 10.2.2 for the IT procedure ATLAS (Automated Tariff and Local Customs Clearance System) on February 28, 2024. This new version introduces the commissioning of ATLAS-CCI (Centralised Clearance for Import), which enables centralized customs clearance for import procedures. Companies can now submit all import declarations centrally at the customs office in their district, regardless of which member state the goods from third countries enter the EU.
Benefits for Companies with Complex Supply Chains
The introduction of ATLAS-CCI is particularly relevant for companies operating cross-border within the EU and managing complex supply chains. The centralized processing aims to simplify administrative processes and increase efficiency. The use of this new function is subject to certification, which companies can now prepare for. Customs and ITZBund support the transition as part of a quality-assured implementation process.
Dr. Armin Rolfink, President of the General Customs Directorate, emphasizes: “As a partner of the economy, customs has been ensuring digital goods clearance around the clock with ATLAS for years. With this release, import processes are further simplified in line with the European strategic plan for electronic customs, providing targeted relief for companies.”
Dr. Alfred Kranstedt, Director of ITZBund, adds: “Thanks to years of expertise and close professional collaboration with our client, we have successfully implemented legal requirements on time and smoothly. ATLAS will continue to be operated and developed with the highest reliability.”
Part of the EU Customs Reform
Centralized customs clearance is a component of the EU customs reform as well as the multiannual strategic plan for electronic customs (MASP-C). These measures aim to advance the harmonization and digitalization of European customs processes. With the gradual implementation in the participating EU member states, the system is continuously expanded, offering companies increasingly pan-European application possibilities.
The IT procedure ATLAS enables largely automated clearance and monitoring of cross-border goods traffic. It allows for the electronic processing of declarations for the movement of goods as well as their transfer into various customs procedures. In 2024, over 595 million customs clearances were carried out promptly by customs using ATLAS.
ITZBund operates ATLAS on behalf of the General Customs Directorate as the responsible authority in its own data centers and continuously develops the system to meet new national legal requirements as well as EU regulations.
