The National Forum serves as a platform for regular consultation between the Belgian Customs authority and the economic operators concerning the latest European developments.

Within this National Forum there is also separate consultation for companies that supply software services.

At these meeting the Customs authority also informs us about the latest technical developments, with more information on specifications, test opportunities, planning and implementation.

A new event this year was a Test Day at which software service providers could try out new software in collaboration with Customs.

The first such Test Day focused on testing the changes that came into force on 1 May (the new EU Community Customs Code).

This proved to be a very good choice, as we were able to detect a number of problems and so on 1 May we received an updated version of the PLCE (Paperless Customs & Excise) system that worked reasonably well.

Based on this positive experience similar Test Days will be organised in future for new developments. In fact a Test Day is already scheduled for 18 October for the implementation of the EORI number in the import declaration.

In future, all customs declarants (except tax representatives) will have to enter the EORI number in the PLCE import declarations instead of the KBO (Belgian companies register) number.

DV1 in the pipeline

The Belgian Customs & Excise department proudly showed off the electronic DV1 which in future will have to be sent along with the import declaration. In the meantime this electronic DV1 is available for testing by anyone who wants.

However we had to put a slight damper on the enthusiasm of the Customs, since there are still some teething troubles to be overcome before this electronic version can be implemented in practice.

For example, DV1 data can at the moment only be sent for Belgian purchasers, and a special code is required for cases in which no duties are involved.

Apart from these difficulties there are a few more wrinkles that need to be ironed out. The software firms have drawn up a list of the problems to be tackled in collaboration with C&E so that the current functions can be straightened out.

Once this has been done a Test Day will be organised for the electronic DV1.

Netherlands follows the Belgian example

Collaboration between software suppliers and the Customs authority has also been introduced in the Netherlands. As part of this consultation we are seeking to improve collaboration between both sides by means of a covenant.

One of the elements of this covenant is testing new functions introduced by the Customs administration. For instance, we are trying to get a test environment that will enable us to submit more realistic declarations.

In addition we are trying to convince the Dutch Customs & Excise to permit our customers to send in test declarations.

In response the Dutch C&E has gone to its Belgian counterpart for advice on the best way of doing this.