The end of an Era. NCTS becomes DVA!

If you're involved in transporting non-Union goods within Europe, you're likely familiar with NCTS. To comply with the Union Customs Code (UCC), the NCTS customs transport system is undergoing a significant adjustment, being replaced by DVA. From Tuesday 29th October, you can only send transit declarations via the new system DVA. 

The transition from NCTS to DVA, akin to other customs procedures such as DMS or AES, is rooted in the UCC. The NCTS dataset is being adjusted, and a new customs system is being built according to the European Customs Data Model (EUCDM). In October 2023, a preliminary draft version of the DVA MIG was made available. Gateway wouldn't be Gateway if we didn't promptly ensure we had a thorough understanding and began analysing this MIG to prepare ourselves adequately.

In this article, we will introduce the already known changes of DVA and the planning of the DVA transition.

DVA technical changes

The main changes from NCTS to DVA are software-based, in the data model, message structure, and message exchange. Additionally, the declaration model is being adjusted from two layers to four layers in DVA, communication will no longer be via Edifact but via XML, and more functionalities are being added.

Customs transit permits

The basic customs transit process remains unchanged. It still begins with a Transit Departure and ends with a Transit Arrival. Existing permits for Authorised Consignor (TA) and Authorised Consignee (TG) remain valid and unchanged.

New declaration layers and customs offices

The data structure in DVA is changing to the European data model as per the requirements within the UCC. Additionally, it is mandatory to include at least a six-digit HS code. 2 extra levels are introduced for consignments, allowing multiple shipments to be placed on the same transit documents.

Two new workflows are being introduced within the transport process: the "office of incident" and the "office of exit at transit," and within DVA, the processes of "transit" and "export" are integrated.

Guarantee and transfer of reference amount

To use the customs transit procedure via NCTS, it is required to have customs guarantee. This obligation remains in force during the transition to DVA.

After the transition from NCTS to DVA, it will no longer be possible to make new declarations in NCTS. As a result, the reference amount in NCTS will no longer be charged. There may temporarily be transit movements open in NCTS while new transit movements are already taking place via DVA. The potential debt amount to Customs for ongoing shipments in NCTS will be transferred back to the reference amount in NCTS after the transit is completed. A transit movement that started in NCTS must also be completed in NCTS. Customs will transfer the reference amount from NCTS to DVA, regardless of the provided security, reduction, or exemption.

Deadline for the Transition to DVA

On Tuesday, October 29, NCTS Phase 4 will be replaced by DVA. From this date, companies can only submit transit declarations via DVA. It is important to ensure that your company is timely connected to the new system. The planned transition period from July 1 to October 1, 2024, is canceled. Companies will make the transition to DVA in one go.

If companies submit transit declarations via NCTS before October 29, they can still be processed in NCTS. This will result in companies temporarily working with two systems until all open declarations in NCTS are completed.

We will, in any case, carefully prepare for this transition, together with our clients. If you want to know how we are doing this, please contact us!