Detect risks to compliance with export licensing requirement sanction measures

Customs

This algorithm helps Customs to select goods for inspection based on risk. It uses declaration data from companies and looks at whether or not there are export penalty risks in customs declarations.

Last change on 10th of December 2024, at 8:43 (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

06-2009

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to publication website

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

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The purpose of this algorithm is to more efficiently select which declarations are potentially risk-sensitive under sanctions measures. This algorithm focuses on export sanctions measures and looks at declarations of goods leaving the European Union. It indicates which declarations are subject to an authorisation requirement for dual-use and military goods. Based on the results, Customs checks companies more or less. Customs uses this algorithm to handle declarations more efficiently. And thereby check declarations faster and possibly release them faster.

Considerations

Customs processes 700 million declarations every year, including in the area of sanction measures. 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 trusted' 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

Union provisions

EU Council Regulations concerning restrictive measures directed against certain countries and/or persons, entities and bodies (in view of the situation in certain countries).

Regulation 2368/2002 implementing the Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds

National provisions

Legal basis for sanctions controls lies in the Union Customs Code (DWU), the General Customs Act and Sanctions Act 1977 and the ministerial regulations and decrees based thereon. Also applicable is the Dual-Use Goods Regulation and Strategic Goods Decree and Implementation Regulation. See links below.

Links to legal bases

• https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003296/2023-07-01: Sanctiewet 1977
• https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0033865/2021-09-09: Regeling goederen voor tweeërlei gebruik
• https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0023746/2024-01-01: Algemene douanewet
• https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0024139/2012-07-01: Besluit strategische goederen

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 export sanctioning. 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