Mr. Peter van Dueren den Hollander, Senior Policy IM Customs provides answers to questions about (Air) Single Window, such as why a single window is required, how it fits into the larger public picture and which ASW changes result in customs processes and enforcement.
Why an (Air) Single Window?
From the Top Sectors policy of the government the Neutral Logistics Information Platform (NLIP) has been set up for the Top Sector Logistics. In NLIP business and governments talk about how the logistics in NL can be further facilitated. The needs of business are translated by the authorities in a program: the Single Window Trade and Transport (SW H & T). SW H & T is the public part of the NLIP.
Roughly SW H & T are translated into three parts:
– Single delivery, multiple use
– Cooperation in supervisory processes
– Re-use of data.
The Air SW is part of single delivery, multiple use. The principle is that all legal notifications to the authorities only need to be done once, the authorities take care of the distribution of the data to the different government systems. Of great importance here is that the data is unambiguous. Hence there is chosen for the WCO data model 3.5. This means that first adjustments are needed in Port Community Systems, business and in government systems, but in the long term the benefits of unequivocal data usage can be realized.
The principle of single supply, multiple use in the SW H & T applies in principle for all modes of transport and for both entry and outgoing flows. In the Netherlands it will be mainly the modalities Maritime and Air, as we have no EU cross border movement landside. However, eventually the government will also look into the possibilities to link different modes of transport such as road, railway and inland to the SW H & T, but mainly from the reuse of data thought. This will be taken up in close collaboration with the Ministry of I and M.
The Maritime Single Window (MSW) has a slightly different history. Already in 2010, a Directive (65) was published by DG Move. The MSW thus has a legal background. However, the interpretation of this Directive varies considerably per Member State. Many Member States have eg. Custom reports not, or not fully included in their MSW. In NL is chosen to implement the MSW according to the approved design of the H & T SW. So all mandatory reports to the government. For the parties involved a major change and a big step forward. In a recent review visit by DG Move and EMSA the Netherlands received a lot of compliments for this.
“The ASW will have the same format as the MSW, so the required government reports will be received by the ASW and need only be submitted once (digitally).”
The choice of the WCO data model 3.5. also affects the airfreight. All mandatory reports to Customs entry and exit must comply with this model. Hence, inter alia Cargonaut is already hard at work to make it possible for the sector.
The effort in SW H & T has being mainly focussed on MSW. With the successful implementation of the information and reports about the means of transport in MSW, the implementation of PAX messages on December 8 and the expected implementation of all customs notifications for Entry and Exit (goods) in the first half of 2017, now is the time to continue develop the ASW.
The ASW will have the same format as the MSW, so the required government reports will be received by the ASW and need only be submitted once (digitally).
Schiphol and Cargonaut are very active within the NLIP. Two of their approved projects have a potentially interesting relationship with the SW H & T. Hence Schiphol / Cargonaut and Customs have decided to work together on a number of areas. The development of a community at Schiphol offers interesting possibilities for sharing information. The idea is that status information about the public part of the flow of goods makes enables a better monitoring of the goods and thus speed up the handling and make it more predictable within the overall logistics.
ASW is for AGS, Transit, ICS, ECS? (National and EU processes)?
The ASW is primarily focused on the processes that are related to crossing the EU’s external border; So Entry (ICS) and Exit (ECS), but both subsequent processes Storage & Imports (AGS) and the preceding processes Exports (AGS) and Transport (NCTS) will be an important secondary object for ASW. Indeed, by making clever use of the already supplied data around the goods and persons the entire logistics process will be more predictable, faster and more agile.
Will anything change for the local customs processes (eCCC with Customs Manifest)?
The changes for the local implementation of the customs processes will of course also be adapted to the structure of the WCO data model 3.5 and any future changes in the framework of ICS 2.0 and AES. But in general, the change will take place gradually and the processes will be able to be intrinsically processed faster.
What is the starting point for ASW? Phased planning?
For now the focus is on adapting all messages to the WCO data model 3.5. Cargonaut is already busy with this. Communication about the planning has already started and will be intensified, including user information meetings in cooperation with ACN, ORAM and Cargonaut.
Will the Customs enforcement change with ASW?
The implementation of the ASW will not significantly alter the enforcement by Customs. However, it will reduce the logistical delays in cargo handling by the increased co-ordination between the authorities.