Detecting risks in the customs declaration for authorisation duty on import, export and transit of torture equipment

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 import, export and transit of torture equipment in customs declarations.

Last change on 10th of December 2024, at 12:40 (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

11-2015

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to publication website

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

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The purpose of this algorithm is to more efficiently select which declarations are potentially risk-sensitive in the context of torture equipment. Strict conditions apply to the import, export and transit of torture equipment.

Regulation (EU) 2019/125 sets out how Customs acts in relation to trade in certain goods that could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Customs checks companies more or less based on the results. By using this algorithm, declarations are processed more efficiently, resulting in quicker verification and possibly quicker release.

Considerations

Customs processes 700 million declarations annually, including in the field of torture equipment. With this algorithm (risk profiles), Customs can assess declarations more efficiently and faster than without using this algorithm. So 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 produces 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

Regulation (EU) 2019/125 of 16 January 2019, hereinafter the Regulation.

National provisions

Legal basis for sanction controls is in the Union Customs Code (DWU), the General Customs Act and Customs Regulations. The Strategic Services Act also applies. 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

• Adr: artikel 5:9: Verbodsartikel in- en uitvoer van bijlage II goederen van de Verordening;
• Adr: artikel 11:3: Strafrechtelijke bepaling
• Adw: artikel 10:11: Geldboete van de tweede categorie
• Wet strategische diensten: artikel 11: Verbod verlenen technische bijstand

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 cooperation with content experts. These decision rules provide estimates of which declarations have a higher risk of the entry - exit and transit of torture equipment. 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