Introduction to Borderbolt

Borderbolt is a comprehensive customs declaration management platform designed for customs agencies, freight forwarders, and logistics providers handling Dutch import, export, and transit declarations.

What is Borderbolt?

Borderbolt streamlines the entire customs declaration lifecycle with direct integration to Dutch Customs. The platform provides a modern, web-based interface for managing declarations, documents, dossiers, and invoicing — all while ensuring compliance with EU and Dutch customs regulations.

Each organization operates in a fully isolated environment with its own settings, declarants, and workflows.

Key Features

Declaration Management

Import Declarations: Handle all Dutch import declaration types, including standard import, temporary storage, customs warehousing, inward processing, temporary admission, and simplified procedures
Export Declarations: Manage standard export, temporary export, re-export, and outward processing procedures
Real-time Status Tracking: Monitor declaration status from draft to acceptance, release, or rejection
Automated Submission: Declarations are submitted electronically to Dutch Customs
MRN Tracking: Full Movement Reference Number (MRN) lifecycle management

Transit Declarations

Transit Declarations: Create and manage external transit (T1) and internal transit (T2) declarations
NCTS Phase 5 Compliance: Full support for the latest NCTS5 transit system
Multi-country Routing: Define transit routes with offices of departure, transit, and destination
Guarantee Management: Link and track guarantee references for transit operations

Dossier Management

Centralized File Organization: Group related declarations, documents, and communications into dossiers
Customer-specific Dossiers: Organize work by customer, shipment, or project
Document Attachments: Store invoices, packing lists, certificates, and customs documents
Activity Timeline: Track all changes and communications within a dossier

Invoicing & Rate Cards

Flexible Rate Cards: Define pricing per declaration type, service, or customer
Automated Invoice Generation: Create invoices from completed declarations
VAT Handling: Support for standard VAT, reverse charge (BTW Verlegging), and FR7 exemptions
Multi-currency Support: Invoice in EUR, USD, GBP, and other currencies
PDF Export: Generate professional invoices with customizable templates

AI-Powered Email Import

Smart Document Processing: Forward emails with PDF attachments to your dedicated import address
AI Extraction: Automatically extract declaration data from invoices, packing lists, and commercial documents
Draft Creation: Generate pre-filled draft declarations for review
AI Workbench: Review, edit, and approve AI-extracted data before finalizing

Customer Portal

Self-Service Access: Customers can view their declarations, dossiers, and invoices
File Upload: Customers can upload declaration documents directly
Status Notifications: Real-time updates on declaration progress
Branded Experience: Customize portal colors, logos, and messaging per organization

Document Management

Secure Storage: Isolated document storage per organization
Document Types: Support for 20+ logistics document types (invoices, CMR, Bill of Lading, Airway Bill, EUR.1, A.TR, certificates, permits)
Inline Preview: View PDFs and images directly in the browser
Version Control: Track document uploads and modifications

Compliance Dashboard

Measure Tracking: Monitor unfulfilled customs measures (licenses, permits, certificates)
Control Notifications: Receive and act on physical and document control requests
Customs Communications: View all customs responses (acceptance, rejection, release, control notifications)
Audit Trail: Complete history of declaration submissions and responses

Supported Declaration Types

Type	Description	Use Case
Import	Release for free circulation	Standard import into EU
	Temporary storage	Goods awaiting customs clearance
	Customs warehousing	Storage under customs supervision
	Inward processing	Processing goods before import
	Temporary admission	Temporary import with re-export
	Passive improvement	Goods sent for repair/processing
	Simplified procedure	Pre-authorized simplified entry
Export	Standard export	Normal export from EU
	Temporary export	Temporary export with re-import
	Re-export	Return of previously imported goods
	Outward processing	Export for processing abroad
Transit	External transit (T1)	Non-EU goods moving through EU
	Internal transit (T2)	EU goods moving through non-EU

System Roles & Permissions

Borderbolt uses a role-based access control system with the following roles:

Role	Permissions	Typical User
Admin	Full access to all features, settings, and user management	System administrator, owner
Manager	Manage declarations, dossiers, customers, invoicing; view reports	Operations manager, team lead
Customs Manager	Create/edit/submit declarations, manage documents, view compliance	Senior customs specialist
Senior Declarant	Create/edit declarations, submit to customs, manage documents	Experienced declarant
Junior Declarant	Create/edit declarations (review required before submission)	Trainee declarant
Data Entry	Create draft declarations, upload documents (cannot submit)	Administrative staff
Viewer	Read-only access to declarations and documents	Auditors, customer service

Note: Organizations can customize role permissions in Settings → Roles & Permissions.

Customs Integration

Borderbolt integrates directly with Dutch Customs:

Automated Submission: Declarations are submitted electronically
Real-time Responses: Receives customs responses (acceptance, rejection, release, control notifications)
Automatic Routing: Customs responses are automatically matched to the correct declaration
Environment Support: Separate production and test environments

Next Steps

Ready to get started? Continue to the Quick Start guide to learn how to navigate Borderbolt and create your first declaration.

For API integration, see the API Reference.