In efforts to facilitate simpler and more efficient trade, streamline processes, and improve data accuracy in cross-border transit, all member countries of the Common Transit convention (CTC) are required to transfer to the New Computerized Transit System (NCTS) Phase 5. This new phase will align NCTS to the new UCC requirements.
NCTS is currently operating under Phase 4. All customers using AEB's Customs Management software to submit transit declarations (transfer and discharge movements) are affected by this change. AEB customers must migrate from NCTS Phase 4 to NCTS Phase 5 by the given deadline of each national customs authority.
The migration to NCTS Phase 5 will be carried out in two phases.
Phase 1 (Transition period)
In this phase, NCTS Phase 5 will operate in transitional mode. For this mode special rules and conditions are implemented to restrict or prevent the use of new data fields. New functionality introduced as part of NCTS Phase 5 will not go into effect until the end of this phase. This is to ensure that countries submitting NCTS5 declarations can still communicate with countries that have not yet migrated and are operating under NCTS Phase 4.
- NCTS Phase 5 will go live during the transition period. All CTC member countries must migrate to NCTS5 during the transition phase.
Phase 2 (Post-transition period / Final state)
This is the final state of NCTS5 where all new functionalities, data fields, rules and conditions come into effect. It follows the transition phase and starts after all CTC countries have successfully migrated to the transition phase.
Timelines
The migration timelines for the transition phase go live vary from one CTC country to another. All member countries of the CTC must migrate to NCTS Phase 5 transition phase by 1 December 2024 and to the final state on 22 January 2025.
Details on the transition phase go-live timelines for Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK can be found on the following pages:
Belgium
Transfer to NCTS Phase 5 in Belgium
The Netherlands
Transfer to NCTS Phase 5 in NL
UK
Transfer to NCTS Phase 5 in the UK
NCTS Phase 4 to NCTS Phase 5 cutover period
After NCTS5 goes live, there will be a cutover period in which:
- The NCTS Phase 4 service will continue to run, but only to deal with the transit declarations submitted before the go-live date.
- The NCTS Phase 5 service will handle all new transit declarations submitted from the go-live date and onwards.
This section will be updated with more details on the cutover period once more information is available from the Customs authorities.
Get ready to move to NCTS5
Here are some guidelines that will help you get ready to move to NCTS5:
- Get familiar with changes to NCTS5. The EU have provided an e-learning module for economic operators to familiarize themselves with the functionalities, basic processes, and benefits of the NCTS5 system.
- Check with your local customs authority if you need to:
- Apply for, or update any authorizations
- Apply for new guarantees
- Consider timing, resources and staff training when planning the migration
- Plan ahead for the cutover period and consider the option of finalizing all NCTS Phase 4 transit declarations before the go live
- Further information (general and country specific) can be found in the Help Center:
What's next?
Development
AEB is in the midst of developing NCTS Phase 5 functionality for AEB's Customs Management software. This will allow customers to submit NCTS Phase 5 transit declarations in the live system starting from the go-live dates.
Testing
Testing functionality will also be provided, but this might differ from one Customs authority to another. It might be possible to test either with real-life data or with a set of predefined data and test scenarios defined by customs.
Migration and Roll-out
AEB is preparing a migration guide that will include details on the changes as well as test and roll-out details.
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