Detect risks in customs declarations on imports of GPS and GSM jammers

Customs

This algorithm helps Customs to select goods for inspection based on risk. It uses declaration data from companies and considers whether or not there are risks of non-compliant or dangerous devices (GPS and GSM jammers) or fixed installations and radio equipment entering the European Union through the Netherlands.

Last change on 17th of December 2024, at 10:04 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

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

General information

Theme

Public Order and Safety

Begin date

04-2014

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to publication website

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

Responsible use

Goal and impact

This algorithm focuses on declarations of goods entering the European Union through the territory of the Netherlands. The algorithm focuses on Customs control of whether non-compliant or dangerous devices (GPS and GSM jammers) or fixed installations and radio equipment are introduced into the Netherlands. Regulation 765/2008 (product safety) provides a basis for setting up EU market surveillance and control of products entering the Union. In this, Customs acts in cooperation with the Radiocommunications Agency. Customs checks companies more or less based on the results. By using this algorithm, declarations are handled more efficiently, resulting in quicker checks and possibly quicker releases.

Considerations

Customs processes 700 million declarations every year, including in the field of product safety. 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 yields a match with a risk profile, a customs officer reviews the declaration. If necessary, the customs officer 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 developed and checked by at least two customs staff before use. This is the 4-eye principle. And once the profile is in use, the number of declarations that produce a match is checked periodically for a profile. If necessary, the profile can be adjusted. Annually, Customs evaluates per profile whether it is necessary to refine, extend or terminate it. Customs monitors internal and external complaints and incidents, for example if a profile generates unjustified raking and therefore designates too many declarations as higher risk.

Legal basis

Legal basis for product safety controls is in the Union Customs Code (DWU), the General Customs Act, Regulation 765/2008, Telecommunications Act and Economic Offences Act. The use of risk profiles also relies on DWU Article 46. This says customs controls must rely primarily on risk analysis by electronic data processing techniques.

Links to legal bases

• https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/NL/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32008R0765 : Verordening (EU) nr. 765/2008
• https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0009950/2024-01-01 : Telecommunicatiewet
• https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0002063/2024-07-01 : Wet op de Economische Delicten
• https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/NL/TXT/PDF/?uri=celex:32013R0952,: Douanewetboek van de Unie

Operations

Data

The algorithm uses all data from the goods declaration. For example, type of goods, commodity code, document code, weight, number of packages, consignee, declarant, consignor, country of consignment, EORI number, means of transport, etc.

Links to data sources

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

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 bringing in non-compliant or dangerous devices (GPS and GSM jammers) or fixed installations and radio equipment . These decision rules are based on 'if-then-else' combinations. An example: if (if) the information we have on a shipment shows that the goods have an abnormal weight, (then) the declaration is checked manually and the shipment may be selected for extended inspection. If the goods do not have an abnormal weight (else), we do not stop the shipment. Or at least not based on this criterion.

External provider

Internally developed