Since the mandatory electronic assessment decisions (eVV) came into force on March 1, 2018, quite a lot has happened. The Federal Customs Administration (EZV) is now called the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG), and there have also been advancements in web technology. Microsoft, for example, has improved tools like Power BI and Power Query to analyze and prepare data more easily and quickly.
One thing hasn’t changed, namely the eVV in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format and its content. Many companies download the eVV and simply archive the XML, because the GeBüV (Ordinance on Commercial Records) mandates it. The full potential that the XML file offers in a digitized environment is often hardly or insufficiently utilized.
What data do I receive from the BAZG?
Two categories are provided: eVV Import and eVV Export. With the eVV Import, the eBorderau (daily summary) and a breakdown into eVVZ (Customs) and eVVM (VAT) are also available. Depending on the retrieval channel, a ZIP file containing XML and PDF documents or a data set in XML and HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is downloaded. In both cases, the XML file is intended for audit-compliant archiving, while the PDF and HTML documents serve to visualize the content.
How does Trade Monkey prepare the data?
We download the XML and HTML files daily from the customs server and store them on ISO 27001-certified servers in Switzerland. The XML data is then extracted and recorded in a database. This process allows the data to be visualized in a browser and a variety of search parameters to be applied. Since the data is in a database, various reports can be created, for example in the form of a CSV (Comma-separated values) file. The CSV format has the advantage that it is compatible not only with Excel but also with alternatives like OpenOffice Calc.
What is the purpose of the data, and what added value is offered?
In the import section, data exports can be used for VAT reporting. For this, we use data from the eBorderau. The advantage here is that VAT and customs data, including refunds, are listed per eVV declaration. The data contained in the eVV is broken down to the customs tariff number and can be used for statistical reports, for example, to compare freight volume per supplier or forwarder. Important data for tax and duty refunds can also be extracted, for instance, for agricultural goods (e.g., milk or sugar), VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), or mineral oils.
On the export side, only the document “eVV Export” is available. The data from it can be used for cross-referencing VAT-exempt export deliveries. For exports, the same reports as for imports can be utilized, including data for refunds.
How Trade Monkey Can Support You
We have years of XML experience and support you with all aspects of process digitalization, or specifically, from data compilation to automated processing using Power Query in MS Excel. We follow the approach of “Do the right thing, and do it right.” If you have any questions or a specific request, please contact us.
