Detect risks in customs declarations for authorisation duty on hazardous substances in equipment

Customs

This algorithm helps Customs to select goods for inspection based on risk. It uses declaration data from companies and assesses whether or not there are increased risks when importing certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment entering the European Union (via the Netherlands).

Last change on 2nd of April 2025, at 12:41 (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

01-2013

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to publication website

https://www.belastingdienst.nl/bibliotheek/handboeken/html/boeken/HVGEM/milieugevaarlijke_stoffen-producten_waarop_de_reach_verordening.html

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The purpose of this algorithm is to more efficiently select which declarations may relate to the import of goods containing dangerous substances. The algorithm identifies which customs declarations are about goods with a risk that the goods contain dangerous substances. The algorithm helps select customs declarations that Customs can check. Customs checks companies based on the results of this algorithm.

Considerations

Customs processes 700 million declarations annually, including in the field 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 checked less.

Human intervention

If a declaration yields a match with a risk profile, a customs officer reviews the declaration. And asks for more information if necessary. The decision to approve a declaration, or to start checking it, is taken by a human being.

Risk management

A second customs officer always checks the risk profile before use. This is the 4-eye principle. 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 checks per profile whether it is still necessary to refine, extend or terminate it. 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

The legal basis for controls on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment is the Union Customs Code (DWU), the General Customs Law and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS). These regulations ensure that imports and exports of electrical and electronic equipment comply with the requirements for restriction of specific hazardous substances. 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

• Regeling gevaarlijke stoffen in elektrische en elektronische apparatuur: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0032405/2019-06-12
• Richtlijn 2011/65 betreffende beperking van het gebruik van bepaalde gevaarlijke stoffen in elektrische en elektronische apparatuur : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/NL/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32011L0065&from=EN
• 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, commodity code, document 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 on which declarations pose a higher risk of importing goods that do not comply with RoHS guidelines. 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 belong to an increased risk group, (then) we manually check the declaration and the shipment is selected for extended inspection. If the goods do not contain prohibited substances (else), we do not stop the consignment. Or at least not based on this criterion.

External provider

Internally developed