FAQ Customs Software

Using digital solutions can help companies make customs procedures more efficient:

Electronic customs declaration:
Many countries now offer the option to complete customs declarations electronically. Companies can use special software or online platforms to submit the necessary information digitally.

Automated data processing:
By using data automation technologies, companies can process their customs data faster and more accurately. This includes the automatic collection and transmission of data via interfaces.

Cloud-based platforms:
The use of cloud platforms allows companies to securely store their data and access it from various locations. This promotes collaboration and the exchange of information among different actors in the supply chain.

Training and training materials:
To facilitate the use of digital solutions for employees, companies should provide training and training materials. This helps to improve the efficiency and accuracy of customs clearance.

The necessity of software for submitting electronic export declarations (e-dec) depends on the specific requirements of the respective company. Firstly, the volume and complexity must be considered. With the Swiss e-dec module, templates can be used for smaller shipment volumes to reduce repetitive effort. For larger shipment volumes or many customs tariff numbers, the use of an interface can be worthwhile, allowing exports to be created directly from the ERP system.

1. Mandatory electronic customs declaration:
For deliveries with Incoterms FCA and higher, an export declaration is required.

2. High Export Volume:
If your company has a high volume of exports, manual processing of export declarations can be time-consuming and error-prone. Software can automate the process and increase efficiency.

3. Integration with company systems:
If you want seamless integration between your internal company systems (e.g., merchandise management, warehouse management) and the customs systems, specialized software can establish this connection.

4. Need for real-time information:
If you need real-time access to customs information, for example, to monitor the status of your exports or to respond to inquiries from customs authorities, a software solution with real-time functionalities can be advantageous.

The electronic assessment decision (eVV) plays a crucial role in both import and export, as it offers various advantages to optimize and simplify the customs process. Here are some reasons why the eVV is essential:

For imports:

1. Acceleration of the customs clearance process:
The eVV enables faster processing of import assessments by customs authorities. Electronic processes are generally more efficient than manual, paper-based procedures, leading to shorter waiting times and faster releases.

2. Reduction of paper costs:
By transitioning to electronic procedures, companies can save on paper costs. This includes reducing paper documents, printing, and shipping costs, which is also more environmentally friendly.

3. Minimizing errors:
Electronic procedures reduce the risk of human errors in data entry and transmission. This leads to accurate and precise information, which in turn contributes to smoother customs clearance.

For exports:

1. Efficient Export Processing:
Just as with imports, the eVV accelerates the export process. This is particularly important for efficient supply chains and ensuring goods reach their destination on time.

2. Better monitoring and transparency:
Electronic processing allows for better monitoring of the export process. Companies can track the status of their exports in real-time and are better able to react to any problems or delays.

3. Harmonized data for customs authorities:
The eVV ensures that customs authorities have access to harmonized and precise data. This promotes cooperation between companies and customs authorities, as accurate information improves the customs process.

4. Compliance with legal requirements:
Electronic procedures facilitate compliance with customs regulations. The eVV can help ensure that all required information and documents are available in accordance with legal requirements.

For security, two aspects are important: protected and secure servers, and a secure connection.

Secure Servers

We only use servers in Switzerland that are ISO 27001 certified and with whom we have an SLA / DPA contract with the provider.

Secure transmission

On the one hand, the FOCBS ensures secure data transfer with encryptions, and on the other hand, we also encrypt data transfer with HTTPS and a certificate.

Want to know more? We’re happy to share our know-how with you. We’ll instruct you and your team on how to easily manage your exports yourself with Swiss e-dec.

With Swiss e-dec, data traffic can be validated directly upon sending. There are different levels for this, which are passed through depending on the customs tariff numbers.

1. Automated checks:

The system checks entries against master data and generates an error message.

2. Real-time data integration:

When sent to the customs server, the data is validated and error messages are displayed directly in the system.

3. Goods requiring permits

Customs tariff numbers requiring a permit are compared with Elic (electronic authorization system). If no registration is available, no e-dec can be received.

Seamless tracking

In Swiss e-dec, you can track at any time whether the freight forwarder has used the e-dec and therefore whether a valid eVV exists.

Manually checking sanction lists is possible, but it’s a time-consuming and potentially error-prone task. Sanction lists are updated regularly, and the multitude of names, organizations, and countries requires accurate and careful verification.

Here are the basic steps you can follow if you want to manually check sanction lists:

1. Obtain current sanction lists:

• • Download the latest sanction lists from official sources, such as the United Nations, the European Union, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and other relevant national authorities.

2. Compare names:

• • Compare the names of individuals, organizations, or countries in your business transactions with the entries on the sanction lists. Pay attention to possible matches.

3. Use different spellings:

• • Consider that names may appear in different spellings or translations. You may want to use synonyms, nicknames, or alternative spellings when cross-referencing.

4. Consider aliases:

• • Individual entries in sanction lists can contain aliases or other identifiers. Make sure you check these as well.

5. Use automated tools:

• • If available, you can also use automated tools to assist with the reconciliation. There are software solutions and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) specifically designed for sanction list screening.

6. Documentation and Compliance Records:

• • Maintain precise documentation of your screening process. It is important to record the results to demonstrate, in the event of audits or reviews by regulatory authorities, that you have properly checked sanction lists.

However, it’s important to note that manual checking has its limitations. In many business environments, especially when dealing with large volumes of data, using automated compliance tools based on machine learning or specialized algorithms is often more efficient and accurate. Such tools can scan large databases in a short time and thereby improve the accuracy of the check.

REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style used for developing network applications. RESTful APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are interfaces designed according to REST principles. Here are the basic concepts and functionalities of a REST API interface:

1. Resource Identification:
In REST, everything accessible via an API is available as a resource. Resources are identified by URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers). Every resource has a unique URI through which it can be accessed.

2. HTTP Methods:
REST uses standard HTTP methods to perform actions on resources. The most common HTTP methods in RESTful APIs are:

• • GET: Retrieving data of a resource.
  • POST: Creating a new resource.
  • PUT or PATCH: Updating an existing resource.
  • DELETE: Deleting a resource.

3. Representations:
Data in REST is exchanged using standardized formats. Typical formats include JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) or XML (eXtensible Markup Language). These data representations are used in requests and responses.

4. Status Codes:
HTTP status codes are used to indicate the status of the request. For example, status code 200 means “Success,” 404 means “Not Found,” and 500 means a server error.

5. Statelessness:
RESTful APIs are stateless, meaning each request from the client contains all the information the server needs to understand and process the request. The server does not store any information about the client’s state between requests.

Advantages of REST APIs:

• • Simple Interfaces: RESTful APIs are easy to understand and use.
  • Scalability: They enable efficient scalability of applications.
  • Independence: Clients and servers are independent of each other and can be developed and scaled separately.
  • Standardized Protocols: Utilizes standardized HTTP methods and status codes.

RESTful APIs are widely used and form the foundation of many modern web applications and services.