CERTEX roll-out in the European Union

Currently EU Member states are working on the first phase of implementing CERTEX: the European Union Customs Single Window Certificates Exchange System (EU-CSW-CERTEX). This implementation will create a single window that should be implemented by all Customs authorities in the European Union.

The purpose of CERTEX is to link Union systems to non-Union systems to process information about non-customs formalities. Non-customs formalities in this sense are formalities that must be carried out for the international movement of goods, but are not linked to customs legislation. Examples of these formalities are phytosanitary requirements, or ensuring sufficient quotas for importing F-gas substances.

The authorization and certificate information provided to prove these non-customs processes will now be cross-checked more thoroughly for correctness, validity and availability. This means, for instance, that for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) goods you would need to be registered in the ODS Licensing system, or you should have sufficient quotas available.

It is important that information such as document codes, authorization numbers and other applicable data (i.e. mass, weights etc.) are checked and entered correctly. Incorrect or incomplete information could lead to a declaration not being released, and the goods being blocked in a point of entry or exit.

Note: All 11 non-customs formalities will be applicable to Import and Export. The formalities related to Health-certificates, ODS and F-gases will also be applicable to Transit declarations.

More detailed information can be found here: The EU Single Window Environment for Customs - European Commission.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands will introduce the CERTEX system in a phased approach starting on 17 May 2025 with ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and will roll out the remainder of the systems by 1 January 2026. 

Germany

In Germany, the Common Health Data Sets (CHED) of the TRACES IT system have been compared with the EU-CSW-CERTEX system since 2023.

Northern Ireland

For Northern Ireland, licence data on a declaration will be verified by CERTEX from (the revised date of) 15 September 2025. The format for entering licence information may change, for example a CHED reference must be provided in a new format from this date. For further details see: Moving licensed goods into or out of Northern Ireland.

Belgium

From the end of September 2025, certificates for fluorinated greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances will be compared with the European CERTEX system. For further information see: AES Belgium: Validation of ODS and FGAS certificates with CERTEX begins on 30 September 2025