Electronic Export System
Beginning July 1, 2009 export declarations can only be processed in electronic form. In Germany, the implementation of the electronic export system is effected within the framework of the IT system ATLAS (automated tariff and local trading and settlement system of the customs authorities). 

This means that the export declaration in paper mould will no longer exist (exception: proceedings in emergencies, when the system of the customs is out of order). 

However, the legal requirements of the customs declaration via ATLAS do not change. On the other hand, more data in better quality is requested. Formal errors are impossible, since ATLAS automatically verifies the transferred data regarding plausibility, integrity and validity – an export declaration, in which a mandatory field has not been filled in, will not be accepted by the system. Furthermore, a verification of international sanctions is conducted, which means that the consignee, the exporter and sub-contractors are checked against various lists of sanctions (individual-related embargoes of the EEC, so-called “terror lists”). 

An electronic export declaration can be processed by using the internet customs declaration to be found on www.zoll.de. This alternative that is free of charge is especially suitable for people or companies that do only have occasional exports. A second alternative is offered by certified software providers, whose servers are directly connected to the system ATLAS of the German customs authorities. Companies that handle many exports may decide in favour of an in-house solution. Here, an interface between the ERP and ATLAS needs to be created. Another possibility is to employ a service provider (outsourcing) that transmits the data to the customs authorities on behalf of the exporter. 

Basically export declarations have to be distinguished on the basis of the single-level or two-level system. To process an export declaration in the single-level system is only possible, if the customs office of exit is situated within Germany (either at the border or at a seaport / airport). Consignments with a value of up to 3,000 Euros can be processed by sending the data directly to the customs office of exit. Consignments with a value of more than 3,000 Euros have to be processed by the responsible customs office in the area where the exporter has his registered office. Here, the data is sent to the customs office that checks the procedure and forwards the data to the customs office of exit. 

The export accompanying document (EAD) replaces the export declaration in paper mould. New items of the EAD are the so-called MRN (movement reference number) and the bar code that is printed on the right top of the export accompanying document. When the consignment leaves the EEC, the bar code will be recorded with a bar code scanner and by doing this an export notice customs will be created. The export notice customs replaces the stamped export declaration that served as certificate of exportation. 

Show EAD

ATTENTION: Most parcel services insist on having an EAD when an export consignment with a value of more than 1,000 Euros is handed over to them. This means that even consignments with a value between 1,000 and 3,000 Euros have to be processed by a responsible inland customs office! 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE COMMENTS ARE DESCRIBED RATHER ABBREVIATED. THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS AND FORMS, AS WELL AS THERE ARE OTHER CUSTOMS PROCEDURES. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM YOUR LOCAL CUSTOMS HEAD OFFICE OR YOUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.