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Software for IT procedures of the customs administration; application for certification

If you want to offer software for the IT procedures ATLAS, AES or EMCS, you must have it certified.

Forms

Responsible for you

Generalzolldirektion Direktion II - Teilnehmermanagement (ATLAS, EMCS, AES)

Street address

Dr.-Pfleger-Straße 36
92637 Weiden i.d.OPf.

Postal address

Dr.-Pfleger-Straße 36

92637 Weiden i.d.OPf.

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Procedure details

The certification of your software is intended to ensure that it functions in accordance with the specifications. In particular, this concerns the sending, receiving and processing of messages by participants via the following systems:

  • ATLAS (Automated Tariff and Local Customs Clearance System).
  • AES (Automated Export System)
  • EMCS (Excise Movement and Control System)

As part of the certification process, the competent authority also checks whether your software sufficiently documents the exchange of messages in a so-called logbook.
The basis for certification in the case of ATLAS and AES:

  • the EDI implementation manual
  • the applicable code lists
  • the leaflet for participants in the currently valid version

The basis for certification for EMCS is

  • the EDI Implementation Manual
  • the applicable code lists
  • the leaflet for participation in the IT procedure EMCS in the currently valid version

The following must be available for certification:

  • a network connection for the exchange of electronic messages for test purposes,
  • a certification system corresponding to the real operational application, and
  • a procedure software developed for real operation for the requested procedure area.

  • Required Documents

    You do not need to submit any further documents for the ATLAS, AES and EMCS procedures.

Certification for ATLAS:
You must apply for certification. This can be done by post or by e-mail. Use form 0875, fill it out IT-supported to avoid misunderstandings due to illegible information. The certification procedure is as follows:

  • Certification requires a fully programmed participant application. The mere exchange of XML messages does not lead to the issuing of a certificate.
  • You will receive test numbers with participant identification numbers (BIN) and, if necessary, test approvals from the Generalzolldirektion (GZD), Dienstort Weiden, Teilnehmermanagement.
  • The Generalzolldirektion (GZD), Dienstort Weiden, Teilnehmermanagement, assumes that you will start the unattended test on the date specified in the certification application. There is therefore no date allocation for this Part 1. It covers all the procedural areas applied for. You carry it out independently. This means that you control the time schedule yourself. The response messages for part 1 are generated on request according to the scenario. To do this, inform the customs office of the relevant transactions and registration numbers.
  • Keep an IT-supported logbook for the certification procedure. Send this logbook to the customs office by e-mail after completion of Part 1. Ensure that the software generates a single complete logbook for each participant, including all data transmissions during the certification process.
  • After the logbook for Part 1 has been checked, an appointment will be made with you for Part 2 of the certification.
  • Part 2 of the certification may include test cases, including failure cases, that have not yet been submitted. In addition, this part deals with transmissions from all the process areas applied for and, if applicable, with process transitions. Demonstrate compliance with technical and functional plausibilities using screen printouts with appropriate explanations.
  • Include the contents of the customs office's reply messages in your application and display them on the screen in a user-friendly way. The data prepared for the user must only originate from the integration of the messages received. You must reproduce the contents of the reply messages in a technically correct and complete manner.
  • For part 2, after message transmission has been completed, the message exchange must also be documented by logbooks. The General Customs Directorate (GZD), Weiden office, Participant Management, will then check the results.
  • After a successful certification you will receive a corresponding notification. A formal paper certificate will not be issued. As a provider of certified software, you will be published on the Internet with your consent.

Certification for AES:
You must apply for certification. You can do this by post or email. Use the form 0875ex. Fill it out IT-supported to avoid misunderstandings due to illegible information. The certification procedure is as follows:

  • Certification requires a fully programmed participant application. The mere exchange of XML messages does not lead to the issuance of a certificate.
  • The certification is divided into two parts. Part 1 of the certification is carried out with the help of a certification automat (ZefA).
  • You must submit all test cases to be processed in Part 1 as often as necessary until the submission succeeds without errors and each scenario has been confirmed with "ok" at least once. You will receive the scenarios and test cases before the requested deadline.
  • The Generalzolldirektion, Dienstort Weiden, Teilnehmermanagement, assumes that you will start with Part 1 on the date specified in the certification application. Therefore, there is no date allocation for this Part 1. Work through the procedures stored in ZefA independently. This means that you control the time schedule yourself. ZefA generates the response messages for part 1 and transmits them to you. The exception to this is the functional error message for disregarding plausibilities.
  • Keep an IT-supported logbook of the certification procedure. Send the logbook after completion of Part 1 to the General Customs Directorate, Weiden office, Participant Management. Make sure that the application generates a single complete logbook per participant, which includes all data transmissions within the scope of your certification procedure.
  • After reviewing the logbook for Part 1, the Generalzolldirektion, Dienstort Weiden, Teilnehmermanagement will arrange an appointment with you for Part 2 of the certification.
  • Provide evidence of compliance with technical and professional plausibilities by means of screen printouts with corresponding explanations.
  • Work the contents of customs office response messages into your software. Display them on the screen - alternatively also in reports. Data in printouts may only originate from the integration of the transmitted XML messages.
  • After completion of the message exchange part 2, again submit a logbook. The customs office will then check the results.
  • Upon successful certification, you will receive a notification to that effect. A formal paper certificate will not be issued. As a provider of certified software, you will be published on the Internet with your consent.

Certification for EMCS:
You must complete the forms.

  • "Application for EMCS certification" (033090)
  • "Network Connection or Preferred Communication Channel EMCS" (033084)

as well as

  • "Technical specifications FTAM" (033085) or
  • "Technical data X.400" (033086)

completed and submitted to the Generalzolldirektion (GZD), Directorate II, Participant Management. This can be done by post or by e-mail. In the case of an existing stock, the forms "Technische Angaben FTAM" (033085) and "Technische Angaben X.400" (033086) do not need to be submitted. Fill in the forms IT-supported to avoid misunderstandings due to illegible information.

The certification procedure is as follows:

  • Certification requires a fully programmed participant application. The mere exchange of EDIFACT or XML messages does not lead to the issuing of a certificate.
  • The certification is divided into two parts. Part 1 is carried out automatically with the help of an automated certification system (ZefA). It contains as far as possible all technical contents of the current EMCS release. In part 2 of the certification, several business scenarios are tested and, if necessary, business and technical error scenarios are simulated.
  • You must submit all test cases to be processed in the message exchange against ZefA as often as necessary until this is successful without errors and each scenario has been confirmed with "ok" at least once. You will receive the scenarios and test cases before the requested deadline.
  • The Directorate General of Customs, Directorate II, Participant Management, assumes that you will start on the date specified in the certification application. Therefore, there is no date assignment. Work through the procedures stored in ZefA independently. This means that you control the time schedule yourself. ZefA generates the response messages and sends them to you. One exception is the technical error message for disregarding plausibilities.
  • Keep an IT-supported logbook for the entire certification procedure.
  • Send the logbook by e-mail to the Directorate General of Customs, Directorate II, Participant Management after completion of the certification. Make sure that the application generates a single complete logbook per participant, which includes all data transmissions in your certification procedure.
  • For part 2 of the certification, the customs office will arrange a date with you to carry out the message exchange. Also submit a logbook after its completion.
  • Provide evidence of compliance with the technical and functional plausibilities by means of screen printouts and explanations.
  • Enter the contents of the customs office's reply messages in your software. Display them in a user-friendly way on the screen - alternatively also in reports. The data in printouts may only originate from the integration of the transmitted messages.
  • After a successful certification you will receive a corresponding notification. A formal paper certificate will not be issued. The certified software combinations and providers are published on the Internet.

There are no costs for you.

ATLAS and AES:
You must submit the application at least 1 week before you plan to start the certification process. If test access, network connection and test number range, is not yet available, you should submit the application 1 to 3 months before the scheduled start of certification.

EMCS:
You must submit the application at least 2 weeks before your intended start of the certification process.

The duration of certification varies greatly and depends, among other things, on the procedure, individual prerequisites and experience with certification as well as the scope applied for. As a rule, the processing takes several months.

  • Opposition
  • Objection
    Detailed information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the decision on your application in the event of a refusal.
  • Administrative court action

Status: 29.10.2023
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium der Finanzen
Source: Federal Portal