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Centralised Clearance 

Publication date 02-09-2025 | Last update 09-09-2026 | Information page

Centralised Clearance (CC) is an easier way to submit customs declarations. This process is also called Centralised Customs Clearance

What is Centralised Clearance? 

Companies with an Authorised Economic Operator-C (AEO-C) authorisation can use a CC authorisation to submit all their customs declarations in one chosen European Union (EU) Member State, while the goods are located in another Member State. In order to do this, the company must be established in the Member State where the declaration is submitted. 

For the Entry in the Declarant's Records (EIDR) procedure, Centralised Clearance for Import (CCI) is not expected before the end of 2027. We expect CCI to be ready for standard and simplified declarations under the normal procedure by the end of 2028. This also applies to Centralised Clearance Export (CCE). 

CC is not required. You can work without the CC method, even if you have a CC authorisation. 

Centralising the customs declaration process 

CC enables businesses to centralise their customs declaration processes. You can submit declarations with the customs office responsible for you: the Supervising Customs Office (SCO). This also applies if the goods have been presented to a customs office in another Member State: the Presentation Customs Office (PCO).

This applies to all customs procedures, except for the declaration using data set H6 for post and H7 for e-commerce. 

With centralised customs clearance, declaration data is exchanged electronically between customs services and AEO companies with a CC authorisation. 

Benefits of Centralised Clearance 

There are several benefits to using CC for your customs declarations: 

  • Processing all your declarations by a customs office in a single EU Member State
  •  Faster customs clearance of imported goods 
  • Fewer customs procedures, eliminating the need for transit arrangements 
  • Reduced administrative workload through a single point of contact 
  • Cost savings through centralised processes, while ensuring transparency and compliance 
  • Participation in a globalised market, making your business more competitive and enabling trade with customers and partners regardless of location

European legislation 

Our preparation for and implementation of CC is based on European legislation: 

  • The legal basis for CC can be found in Section 179 of the Union Customs Code (UCC) 
  • The authorisation provisions can be found in Sections 180 and 181 of the UCC 
  • Further details on centralised customs clearance can be found in: 
  • Section 149 of the Delegated Regulation 

More information about the preparation for CC can be found on the EU website.

SASP authorisations will expire 

The current Single Authorisation for Simplified Procedures (SASP) regulation will expire when Centralised Clearance is introduced.  

Dutch Customs has technically converted the current SASP authorisations into CC authorisations. We will contact every SASP authorisation holder for a reassessment review. These reviews will begin in September 2026. Through these reviews, we will determine whether the SASP authorisation meets the requirements for a CC authorisation. The compliance manager for your customs region will contact you regarding this process. 

If you do not have a SASP license and want to submit a customs declaration centrally, you can apply for the Centralised Clearance authorisation via the EU-trader portal starting in September 2026. 

IT system adjustments 

Specifications for the data exchange for CC can be found in European legislation. If you are a software developer, you can find more information about CC on the OSWO community website. On this website, we will publish the CC Message Implementation Guide (MIG) in the third quarter of 2026. 

We ask companies and software developers to review what the impact of CC on their operations. Dutch Customs is carrying out similar results and will continue to consult on the matter through the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF).

Acting as a representative under a CC authorisation 

Whether a Centralised Clearance (CC) authorisation holder can act as a representative depends on: 

  • The form of representation: direct or indirect 
  • The customs procedure for which the goods are declared or the procedures under which the goods are placed 

In principle, the options are the same as for declarations submitted in DMS without CC. Differences may arise due to VAT, excise duties, or other national regulations in the country where the goods are located. These rules must always be considered during the consultation procedure. 

Direct representation

If you are a CC authorisation holder established in the Netherlands and act as a direct representative, the person you represent is the declarant. 

You must submit the declaration in the name of and on behalf of the person you represent. The represented party is legally responsible. 

You may release the goods for free circulation or place them under a customs procedure using the standard procedure. 

It is not possible to enter the goods in your own records because the represented person is the declarant. As such, the goods must be recorded in their administration. 

Indirect representation

If you are a CC authorisation holder acting as an indirect representative, you are the declarant yourself.  
 
You must submit the declaration in your own name, but on behalf of the person you are representing. This means that both you and the person you are representing are responsible for the customs debt. 

You may release goods for free circulation either via the standard procedure or by entering them in the CC authorisation holder’s records. 

For special procedures, an indirect representative cannot submit a declaration to place goods under: 

  • Inward processing 
  • temporary admission 
  • End-use 
  • Customs warehousing 

This is because these procedures involve obligations that only be fulfilled by the represented person. Therefore, the represented person must submit the declaration themselves. 

Frequently asked questions

How is CC linked to the Trust and Check Trader?

There is no link to the Trust and Check Trader. The EU Datahub is not part of CC.

What roles do the Supervising Customs Office (SCO) and the Presentation Customs Office (PCO) play?
  • SCO: The customs office where declarations are submitted. It coordinates and processes your declarations. 
  • PCO: The customs office in the Member State where the goods are physically presented. It carries out physical inspections where necessary and performs checks relating to national prohibitions and restrictions. 
     

The SCO handles the administrative processing. 

How are checks and risk analyses performed under CC?

The customs authorities (the SCO and relevant PCOs) establish a control plan that specifies how physical and administrative checks will be performed. 

Although declarations are submitted centrally, inspections may still take place in the Member States where the goods arrive. 

Can I also submit an incomplete declaration or a preliminary declaration under CC?

Yes, CC supports both incomplete and pre-submitted declarations. You must report missing data within one month. More information about this procedure can be found in the Kennisbank. 

How does CC deal with previous customs procedures?

For example, Belgium uses code N337 when clearing a container in Antwerp, whereas the Netherlands uses N705. 

The code list of the SCO (the Member State where the declaration is lodged) is decisive. You therefore use the code of the Member State where the declaration is submitted to administratively discharge the preceding procedure. 

How does CCI handle phytosanitary and veterinary inspections in the Member State where the goods are located?

Each Member State has its own legislation concerning safety, health, economic interests, and environmental protection. 

The Member State where the goods are located (the PCO) remains responsible for these matters and determines how phytosanitary and veterinary inspections are carried out. 

Must a declarant in the Netherlands consider national codes used by another Member State?

No. The code list of the SCO, the Member State where the declaration is submitted, is the applicable code list and should be used when lodging declarations. 

To what extent can national legislation in country A create prohibitions and restrictions for declarations lodged in country B?

National prohibitions and restrictions always apply in the country where the goods are physically released for free circulation. 

Declaration data is transmitted through the CC system to the Member State where the goods are located. That Member State checks whether any prohibitions or restrictions apply. 

If they do, the Member State may impose additional requirements. In some cases, the goods may not be released at all. The SCO must then implement and communicate this decision to the declarant. 

Where a prohibition applies, the goods will not be released. 

Who decides whether and when a customs inspection is required?

The Member State where the declaration is lodged (the SCO) has the leading role. 

However, the Member State where the goods are located (the PCO) may supplement this with national fiscal and non-fiscal risk assessments. 

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