FAQ Secure Import
Secure Import
What is Secure Import?
Secure Import is the new way of working for collecting import shipments at Schiphol. The Secure Import IT tool, developed by Cargonaut and Smartloxs, supports the new process to enhance the pickup process at the ground handlers of Schiphol.
Who is Secure Import for?
Secure Import applies to all logistics service providers involved in collecting imported goods destined for Amsterdam at Schiphol Airport.
What about Direct Pickups by end customers (Consignee)?
End customers must collect their goods according to the Secure Import working method as well.
How does the Secure Import service work?
Secure Import facilitates the process of creating pre-notifications for picking up import shipments (destination Amsterdam). Secure Import is linked to SmartLOXS’ eRegistration service. As a result, pre-notifications automatically result in an eRegistration.
Before a pre-notification can be sent within Secure Import and goods can be picked up, compliance rules must be met, including Ready For Pickup (RFP) conditions for collecting import shipments at Schiphol.
What are the Ready For Pickup (RFP) conditions?
Secure Import is linked to various Cargonaut systems such as Automated Nomination, PGTS, and the Port Community System. Users can check whether all conditions are met and whether a shipment can be picked up by checking the RFP status (green or red).
Conditions for a correct RFP status (green) are:
- A Nomination via Automated Nomination.
- A PGTS ´Vooraanmelding Halen´ (VAH) according to the PGTS protocol.
- A Freight Status Update Notified (NFD), indicating that the ground handler has made the shipment available for pickup.
Do I need to pre-notify for all pickup visits?
Yes, all pickup visits must be pre-notified in Secure Import, including a list of the shipments to be collected.
My shipment does not have a correct RFP status (green), what should I do?
Click on the AWB details to see the reason for the red RFP status.
How and when will shipments become available to me in Secure Import?
Shipments become available once the FWB (Airwaybill) is available at Cargonaut and the shipment has been nominated to the forwarder via Automated Nomination.
I cannot see my shipments in the Secure Import portal, what is wrong?
Check with the ground handler whether the shipment has been nominated to you via Automated Nomination.
My shipment has been nominated to me, but I still do not see it in Secure Import. What now?
Check whether the FWB (Airwaybill) is available in Cargonaut and is nominated via Automated Nomination
How can I let my trucking company plan my Secure Import trips?
You can assign your shipments to one of the trucking company with whom you have a haulier declaration. Afterwards, a trucking company can schedule the Pickup and Trip.
What is a ‘haulier declaration’?
This is a relationship between a forwarder and a trucking company (haulier).
- If you are a forwarder being a Regulated Agent, a Haulier Declaration can be registered via SmartLOXS. The trucking company must initiate the registration of a Haulier Declaration. See the step-by-step guide below: ‘How can I register a Haulier Declaration?’ Once registered, you can use this trucking company in Secure Import.
- If you are a forwarder not being a Regulated Agent, you currently cannot register this haulier declaration in SmartLOXS. In that case, contact Cargonaut and mention that you are not a Registered Agent. You can also use the feedback form in the portal (Send Feedback button). Choose the option: ‘I do not have an RA number but want to assign a trucker.’ The haulier declaration will be registered by Cargonaut instead.
How can I assign shipments to my ‘trusted trucking company’?
In Secure Import, you can assign your shipments in three ways:
- Per airwaybill
- All airwaybills
- Or specifically filtered airwaybills
In order to assign an AWB to a trucking company, the trucking company has to be a user of Cargonaut
How can I assign all my shipments to a default trucking company?
Go to the Trucking Companies menu and set the default trucker assignment.
I do not see a Trucking Companies menu?
Request the necessary permissions via the feedback form in the Secure Import portal. Choose the category ‘Forwarder Admin.’
I cannot select my trucking company?
Check whether your related trucking company is known in SmartLOXS. In order to assign an AWB to a trucking company, the trucking company has to be a user of Cargonaut
My trucking company does not see my shipments, what should I do?
Check whether you have assigned your shipments by default or specifically to this trucking company.
What is a Pickup and a Trip?
A Pickup is a collection of one or more Airwaybills that you want to collect from the ground handler. A Trip is a collection of one or more Pickups in a truck. You assign your drivers to the Trip. If you use one of your trusted trucking companies, you can also select their drivers when creating the Trip.
Can I work with draft Trips before making a final pre-notification?
Yes, you can save a Trip as a draft. Once you complete the pre-notification, the Trip becomes final.
Do all drivers need an ACN pass?
Yes, due to security reasons, ACN passes are mandatory.
Do I still need to create an eRegistration if I have made a Secure Import pre-notification?
Secure Import is automatically linked to the SmartLOXS’ eRegistration system. All Secure Import trips automatically result in an eRegistration.
What happens if I do not make a Secure Import pre-notification?
Secure Import will be mandatory from February 1, 2025. After March 3, 2025, you will not be granted access to the ground handler’s premises.
What happens if I, as a trucking company, have made a pre-notification for only part of the truck?
If you are arriving for import goods, it will be checked whether a Secure Import pre-notification is registered in the systems. At the gate, there is (currently) no shipment-level verification. This means that if the driver has an active Secure Import pre-notification, they may still be granted access to the premises. This may vary per handler.
The driver may encounter difficulties when collecting the import goods.
What happens if I, as a trucking company, indicate that I am coming for export or RFS instead of Secure Import?
This may result in the driver encountering difficulties when collecting the import goods.
Is there a possibility for a trial period?
From November 1, 2024, to March 3, 2025, the Schiphol community conducted an extensive trial period in which Secure Import has been tested. During this period, all users were able to request a test account.
Are there costs associated with Secure Import?
A contract with Cargonaut is required to use Secure Import. Costs per AWB will be charged. See this message for an overview of the costs: https://acn.nl/1-februari-start-secure-import-op-schiphol/
Is there a Secure Import Dashboard with management information?
Yes, like eLink, Secure Import also has a dashboard providing full insight into data quality, data completeness, and the Secure Import process for your shipments. Access can be requested via helpdesk@cargonaut.nl
Do I also need to use Automated Nomination?
Automated Nomination is one of the requirements for a green RFP status and is therefore necessary. Shipments will only be visible to forwarders if they have been assigned to the forwarder via Automated Nomination.
Do I also need to use PGTS?
In line with the PGTS protocol, PGTS participants are required to submit a ‘Voor Aanmelding Halen’ (VAH) in PGTS. This is also a requirement for obtaining the correct Ready for Pickup status.
Secure Import states that the shipment is blocked by the ground handler. What should I do?
Please contact the involved ground handler.
Will I still receive NOAs as I am used to?
For now, you will continue to receive NOAs as usual. In phase 2 of Secure Import, the possibility of digitizing NOAs will be explored. In this phase, we intend to move towards digital handover and mutual signing at the ground handler.
How can I register a Haulier Declaration (Trucking Company relation with a Regulated Agent)?
There are several conditions for obtaining a Haulier Declaration:
- The trucker’s drivers must use ACN passes.
- The logistics service provider with whom the trucking company wants to establish a Haulier Declaration must be a Regulated Agent (RA).
- If this party is not an RA, or if the trucking company does not use ACN passes, a Haulier Declaration cannot be registered.
Registration Steps:
- The trucking company submits a request via https://app.smartloxs.com/ and selects “New haulier declaration”. If no Haulier Declaration exists, a new one can be prepared for approval by the RA.
- Once prepared, the trucking company receives a PDF via email with detailed information.
- The Haulier Declaration must be signed and sent to ACN (see the explanation in the email the trucking company receives).
- The request is received by the RA in the portal app.smartloxs.com.
- The Security Manager of the RA approves the request via the portal app.smartloxs.com.
- ACN receives the signed Haulier Declaration from the trucking company and verifies whether the RA has approved it. If the RA has approved it and the signed Haulier Declaration has been received, ACN accepts the relation via app.smartloxs.com
- The Haulier Declaration is now digitally active.
How can I register a Trusted Trucking Company Relation?
There are several conditions for obtaining a Trusted Trucking Company Relation
- The trucker’s drivers must use ACN passes.
- The freight forwarder and trucking company are known and registered at Smartloxs.
Registration Steps
- Parties not being registered at Smartloxs apply for a registration via https://app.smartloxs.com/company-registration.
- After registration a Smartloxs Company ID will be shared. Inform helpdesk@cargonaut.nl about the received Smartloxs Company ID
- After being registered the trucking company can request can be shared to Smartloxs via helpdesk@smartloxs.com for the registration of the Trusted Trucking Company Relation
- Do include the related freight forwarder in the request. Advice: Do also include approval of the Freight Forwarder in the message to Smartloxs for quick registration.
- Smartloxs registers the new Trusted Trucking Company Relation between trucking company and freight forwarder
- The Trusted Trucking Company Relation is digitally active and can be used in Secure Import by the freight forwarder.
Note: A Regulated Agent code is not required for a Trusted Trucking Company Relation
What can I do if there is a system outage in Secure Import?
If Secure Import, eRegistration, Automated Nomination, or other community systems (PGTS, etc.) are not functioning and a ‘Green RFP’ cannot be obtained without a fault of the participating party/ies, emergency procedure(s) will be followed. The participating party can still proceed in compliance, without a digital pre-notification, falling back on paper procedures where necessary and possible.