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ConfigurationCustoms Settings

Customs Settings

The Customs Settings tab configures default values for customs offices and manages the integration with Dutch Customs via the customs integration service.

Default Customs Offices

These settings define which customs offices are used by default when creating new declarations. Users can override these values on individual declarations if needed.

Declaration Office

The customs office where declarations are submitted for processing.

Common Values:

  • NL000396 - Required for preprod/test environment responses
  • NL002301 - Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
  • NL003307 - Rotterdam Port
  • NL004413 - Venlo (road traffic)

Important for Testing: When using the preprod environment, you must use declaration office NL000396 to receive automated test responses from Dutch Customs.

Supervising Office

The customs office that supervises the declaration process (if different from the declaration office).

  • Optional field
  • Format: Two-letter country code + 6-digit office code (e.g., NL000123)
  • Commonly used for specific customs procedures or authorizations

Office of Exit

The customs office where goods physically leave the EU customs territory.

When Required:

  • Export declarations
  • Transit declarations (T1, T2)
  • Re-export declarations

Common Exit Offices:

  • NL002301 - Schiphol Airport (air cargo)
  • NL003307 - Rotterdam Port (sea freight)
  • NL004413 - Venlo (road to Germany)
  • NL005518 - Maastricht-Aachen Airport

API Integration

Customs API Key

The API key for authenticating with the customs integration service.

Purpose:

  • Authenticates declaration submissions to the customs integration service
  • Required for all customs communications
  • Unique per organization

How It Works:

  1. Borderbolt sends declarations to the customs integration service
  2. The service validates the API key
  3. The service wraps declaration in the required format
  4. The service sends to Dutch Customs

Security:

  • API keys are encrypted at rest in the database
  • Never share your API key externally
  • Contact Borderbolt support to rotate keys if compromised

The customs integration endpoint is configured by your system administrator. Contact your administrator if you need to use a different customs integration instance.

Customs Certificate Path

Path to the X.509 certificate used for customs authentication (if required).

Usage:

  • Some customs environments require client certificate authentication
  • Typically not required for standard customs integration
  • May be needed for direct API integrations in the future

Format:

  • Absolute file path on the server (e.g., /var/certificates/nl-customs.pem)
  • PEM or DER format certificates
  • Must be readable by the web server process

Customs Integration

Borderbolt uses a customs integration service to handle communication with Dutch Customs.

Architecture

Borderbolt → Customs Integration Service → Dutch Customs
                     ↓
                Response
                     ↓
               Borderbolt

Configuration

The customs integration endpoint is configured by your system administrator.

Testing the Connection

To verify your customs integration is working:

  1. Navigate to Settings → Customs Settings
  2. Ensure your API key is entered
  3. Create a test declaration with:
    • Declaration office: NL000396 (preprod)
    • Test EORI numbers (e.g., NL800000000000)
  4. Submit the declaration
  5. Check for acceptance/rejection responses

Best Practice: Always test in the preprod environment before submitting production declarations. Use declaration office NL000396 and test EORI numbers to trigger automated responses.

Declaration Defaults

Settings configured here serve as defaults when creating new declarations:

Default Behavior:

  • Pre-fills office fields on new declaration forms
  • Users can override on individual declarations
  • Saves time for repetitive declaration patterns
  • Ensures consistency across declarations

When to Override:

  • Special procedures requiring different offices
  • Airport vs. seaport shipments
  • Customer-specific requirements
  • Cross-border locations

Updating Settings

  1. Navigate to Settings → Customs Settings
  2. Update the desired fields
  3. Changes save automatically when you click outside the field (on blur)
  4. Test changes with a draft declaration

Permissions

To edit customs settings, users must have the Settings permission. This is typically assigned to:

  • Admin role
  • Customs Manager role

Troubleshooting

Declarations Not Receiving Responses

Problem: Declarations submitted but no acceptance/rejection received.

Solutions:

  • Verify API key is correct in Settings → Customs Settings
  • Check declaration office is NL000396 for preprod testing
  • Ensure declarant EORI is registered with the customs integration service
  • Contact your Borderbolt administrator to check system logs for API errors

Invalid Office Code Errors

Problem: Customs rejects declaration due to invalid office code.

Solutions:

  • Verify office code format: 2-letter country + 6 digits
  • Check office code is registered and active
  • Ensure office code matches customs authorization type
  • Confirm office supports the declaration type (import/export/transit)

API Authentication Failures

Problem: 401 Unauthorized errors when submitting declarations.

Solutions:

  • Check API key in Settings → Customs Settings is correctly configured
  • Contact Borderbolt support to verify API key is active
  • Contact your administrator to verify customs integration is properly configured
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