How do I apply for a customs authorisation?
Our Customs authorisations overview explains exactly how to apply for an authorisation: via the EU portals or using an application form.
Apply for an authorisation via the EU portals
From 1 May 2019, you can apply via the EU Trader Portal for cross-border UCC authorisations. From 1 January 2020, that is also the case for an increasing number of UCC authorisations that are only valid in the Netherlands.
The EU Customs Trader Portal enables you to apply for the following:
- Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) authorisation
- Binding Tariff Information (BTI)
- Registered Exporter (REX)
- Standardized Information Exchange (INF) for special procedures
Please note!
Are you applying for an Binding Tariff Information (BTI) or Registered Exporter (REX) in respect of a company with its headquarters outside the customs territory of the Union? Then you still have to use the application form.
You will usually receive an authorisation within 120 days.
Apply for an authorisation with an application form
Fill in the form completely and send it to us by post. You cannot yet send the forms digitally.
Tip
The application form often states that you also need another authorisation. For example, a 'Comprehensive Guarantee Authorisation' or an 'Electronic Messaging Registration'. You should therefore apply for it straight away. Otherwise it will take longer to make all the arrangements.
You will usually receive your authorisation within 90 days
Some authorisations arrive sooner. For a customs warehouse - in the Netherlands only - the period is 60 days. For other special schemes involving only the Netherlands, 30 days. That applies to authorisations for:
- inward processing
- outward processing
- end-use
- temporary admission
Overview of customs authorisations
There are many authorisation types: they are listed in our overview.
Do you need help applying for an authorisation?
Most applications for an authorisation have instructions and/or an explanation of the questions. Please read the explanatory notes and the general terms and conditions of the authorisation. If you would like to know more about the laws and regulations, please see the Customs manuals.
