Detect risks in customs declarations for compliance procedures for transport of dangerous goods

Customs

This algorithm helps Customs to select clients for controls based on risk. Among other things, it uses declaration data from companies and assesses whether or not there are risks in the entry and exit in the European Union of the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

Last change on 2nd of April 2025, at 12:42 (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

05-2015

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to publication website

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

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The purpose of this algorithm is to more efficiently select which declarations are riskier for the transport of dangerous goods based on (among other things) historical checks. This algorithm focuses on the 'Transport of Dangerous Goods' process and looks at declarations of goods coming from outside the European Union. It indicates which declarations have a higher risk of safety hazards, stowage, packaging and labelling, among others. Customs checks companies based on the results of this algorithm.

Considerations

Customs processes 700 million declarations annually, including in the field of Transport of Dangerous Goods. This algorithm (risk profiles) allows Customs to assess declarations more efficiently and faster. Declarations are thus approved or checked faster. And goods are released faster. The algorithm also ensures that 'known and reliable' companies are actually checked less.

Human intervention

If a declaration yields a match with a risk profile, a Customs employee assesses the declaration based on the risk profile. 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 weekly check is made for a profile to see how many declarations produce a match. If necessary, the profile can be adjusted. Periodically, Customs evaluates 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 controls lies in the Union Customs Code (DWU), the General Customs Act and the Transport of Dangerous Goods Act. These laws ensure that shipments of Transport of Dangerous Goods are carried out correctly and in the right way. The use of risk profiles also relies on DWU section 46. This says that customs controls should primarily rely on risk analysis by electronic data processing techniques.

Links to legal bases

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

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 cooperation with content experts. These decision rules provide estimates of which declarations have a higher risk of safety risks, stowage and packaging and labelling in the field of transporting dangerous goods, among others. These decision rules are based partly on previous shipments that have been checked. If declarants have had a warning or sanction, they are more likely to be checked. If a previous check was compliant, the check in the future will be lower.

External provider

Internally developed