Pilot for new regulations on external scanning successful

The pilot that was started on 18 July, testing a new process to make scanning via the external lane possible, has been successful, according to the evaluation of 23 September. The involved parties concluded that the measures taken and agreements made had the intended effect, and that the amounts remained manageable. The pilot is now being extended.

The new measures were taken after the possibility of external scanning was abolished on 1 February. (Conscious) withdrawal from customs supervision has to be prevented. At the same time, external scanning is (still) necessary to quickly free up perishable cargo, in particular at a pre-announced time, and to keep costs for companies as low as possible. Participants of the pilot are more conscious of the risks.

Since the pilot had its desired results, it was decided to continue the measure. The details of the new agreements are still being discussed. Peter Verbaas of the GroentenFruit Huis: “The fundamental attitude of customs is very positive. We do have to prevent the external scan from causing queues again.” Talks are being held between customs and other parties that have time-critical goods in order to use the measure.

At present, the criteria that companies must meet are being discussed, among other things. “Customs does not have unlimited capacity, so they would like the GroentenFruit Huis to also play a part in the preselection of companies. For that, we need good criteria. When we decline a company, we need to be able to explain that.”

In principle, more clarity about these details can be known in the short term. “We do feel pressure of time, because the import seasons are starting again,” Verbaas concludes. “I do not expect limitations in the talks.”

For more information:
GroentenFruit Huis
Peter Verbaas
Postbus 5007, 2701 GA Zoetermeer

The Netherlands
T + 31 79 368 1120
M + 31 6 109 85 193
E Verbaas@groentenfruithuis.nl
W www.groentenfruithuis.nl