Detect risks of inaccuracies in customs declarations for Nuclear Energy shipments

Customs

This algorithm helps Customs to select clients for controls based on risk. It uses declaration data from companies and looks at whether or not there are risks in the entry and release into free circulation in the European Union of Nuclear Energy consignments.

Last change on 5th of May 2025, at 20:56 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

• Publication category: Impactful algorithms
• Impact assessment: Field not filled in.
• Status: In use

General information

Theme

Nature and Environment

Begin date

06-2023

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to publication website

https://www.belastingdienst.nl/bibliotheek/handboeken/html/boeken/HVGEM/kernenergiewet.html

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The purpose of this algorithm is to more efficiently select which declarations may pose a risk in Nuclear Energy shipments. This algorithm focuses on Nuclear Energy shipments and looks at declarations of goods coming from outside the European Union. It identifies which declarations present a higher risk of security risks, labelling and stowage, among others.

Considerations

Customs processes 700 million declarations annually, including in the field of nuclear energy. With this algorithm (risk profiles), Customs can assess declarations more efficiently and faster than without using this algorithm. Thus, declarations are approved or checked faster. And goods are released faster. Also, the algorithm ensures that 'known and reliable' companies are actually checked less.

Human intervention

If a declaration produces a match with a risk profile, a Customs employee reviews the declaration based on the algorithm. If necessary, the Customs employee asks for more information. The decision to approve a declaration, or instead to start checking, is made by a human being.

Risk management

A risk profile is always checked by a second customs officer (4-eye principle) before use. And once the profile is in use, a profile is periodically checked to see how many declarations produce a match. If necessary, the profile can be adjusted. Periodically, Customs checks per profile whether it is still needed. Customs monitors internal and external complaints and incidents, for example if a profile is insufficiently specific and therefore designates too many declarations as higher risk.

Legal basis

Legal basis for the controls lies in the Union Customs Code (DWU), the General Customs Act , Transport of Dangerous Goods Act and the Nuclear Energy Act. These laws ensure that shipments of Nuclear Energy are done correctly and in the right way. The use of risk profiles also relies on DWU section 46. This says that customs controls should mainly rely on risk analysis by electronic data processing techniques.

Links to legal bases

• Douanewetboek van de Unie: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/NL/TXT/PDF/?uri=celex:32013R0952
• Kernenergiewet: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0002402/2024-07-01
• Wet Vervoer Gevaarlijke Stoffen: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0007606/2025-01-01

Operations

Data

The algorithm can use any data from the goods declaration. For example, type of goods, goods code, weight, number of packages, consignee, declarant, consignor, country of consignment, EORI number, means of transport, etc.

Links to data sources

Gegevensvereisten douaneaangiften (zie Bijlage B Gedelegeerde Verordening Douanewetboek van de Unie + Bijlage VIa van de Algemene Douaneregeling): https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/douane_voor_bedrijven/naslagwerken_en_overige_informatie/andere_onderwerpen/gegevensvereisten/

Technical design

The algorithm consists of decision rules created in collaboration with content experts. These decision rules provide estimates of which declarations have a higher risk of Nuclear safety risks, stowage, packaging and labelling, among others. These decision rules are based partly on previous shipments checked or risk signals received.

External provider

Internally developed