Are there any costs associated with the use of the service Import Status?

Import Status is a free service that has been specifically developed for transporters. To them, this service is highly important as it allows them to see whether the customs documents have been correctly pre-notified at the terminal. If that is not the case and they still dispatch a driver to the terminal, said driver will find the barrier closed there.

Why are costs charged for the import service but not for the export service?

The costs for the import process in terms of security, liability and the amount of connections that need to be made (ICT costs) with various parties are much higher than for the export process. Notification Import Documentation results in a faster and more efficient process for companies involved in imports and logistics. These costs are not fully covered by the terminals and shipping lines (due to the added value for importing companies). Because of its cost-based and non-profit basis, Portbase has no other option but to pass on these costs to the user.

Does using the export services involve any costs?

No, when a company exports, it has to deal with the services Notification Export Documentation and Track & Trace Export. These services are free of charge because the terminals and shipping lines which are used to perform the export process bear these costs. There is a one-off connection fee of € 249.50 (excl. VAT) though.

Why do I need to pay connection costs for Portbase?

Connection costs are charged because a number of steps must be completed in order to make use of the ‘digital border’ of Portbase.
Portbase is a cost-effective organisation. The connection costs are € 249.50 per service.

How does the Dutch port solution for Brexit work ?

In order to make use of the chainwide solution for Brexit in the Dutch ports, companies have to complete 5 steps together with their chain partners. The ferry and shortsea terminals have decided that without pre-notified customs documents via Portbase, the driver will not be granted access, meaning the cargo cannot be transported. Only in this way will the ’digital border’ function and ensure a speedier procedure compared to labour-intensive manual inspections.

What is the impact of Brexit in the Dutch ports?

Because the United Kingdom has left the European Union, a border is created and customs formalities have to be performed. This automatically means that parties in the logistics chain are now dependent on each other. One party needs to use the data of another party to perform its next steps. The exporter or importer has to ensure that Customs is provided with a customs declaration. That is the first step. The customs documents must next be pre-notified at the terminal via Portbase. If this doesn’t happen, the cargo – and therefore the transporter – will by definition come to a standstill at the border. Think of it as checking in online at the airport. In order to do this, a ticket has to be booked. You can next use that ticked number to check in in advance; once you arrive at the airport, the check-in has already been arranged digitally, allowing for a smooth passage.

Does using the import services involve any costs?

Subscription costs and a transaction fee per message apply to the use of the service Notification Import Documentation (NID). In addition, there is a one-off connection fee of € 249.50 (excl. VAT).

What is Portbase?

Portbase was established in 2009 by the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Port of Amsterdam and has the broad support of the port business community. The ambition is to make the logistics chains of the Dutch ports as attractive as possible through a one-stop shop. Portbase connects all parties in the logistics chains of the Dutch ports to this end. Via the Port Community System, Portbase facilitates data sharing between companies and information exchange with government bodies in order to be able to operate faster, more efficiently and at lower costs. Together with our growing community, Portbase is continuously making the sharing of data more valuable. With the aim of making the Dutch port community, and thus the ports, the smartest in Europe. Portbase is neutral, of and for the port community and has no profit motive.

Does the Dutch port solution for Brexit relate to the process on the UK side as well?

No; you can read more about that here.

Will Customs perform fewer inspections because of the port solution?

Customs performs risk-based inspections. As part of this, it also verifies whether the correct formalities have been completed (e.g. the presence of an export declaration, otherwise the shipment is prohibited from leaving).
The solution will consequently not lead to a reduction in the number of inspections. The starting point of Dutch Customs is smart supervision with minimum disruption to the logistics chain, under the assumption that all formalities have been completed. The process that has been automated in the ports via Get Ready for Brexit makes this possible.