Detect risks in customs declarations on entry, import and export of fresh fruit and vegetables

Customs

This algorithm helps Customs and its enforcement partners select goods for inspection based on risk. It uses declaration data from companies and considers whether or not there are risks related to marketing standards and quality requirements for the import and export of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Last change on 5th of May 2025, at 20:40 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

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

General information

Theme

Health and Healthcare

Begin date

03-2015

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to publication website

https://belastingnet.belastingdienst.nl/cms/html/boeken/HVGEM/handelsnormcontroles_groenten_en.html

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The purpose of this algorithm is to select consignments for inspection that enter the European Union, through the territory of the Netherlands, and that are imported into the Netherlands. The algorithm focuses on marketing standards and quality requirements for the import and export of fresh fruit and vegetables.

The legal basis is Regulation (EU) 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council, establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products; Customs acts here in cooperation with the Quality Control Bureau (QCB). Customs checks companies more or less based on the results.

Considerations

Customs processes 700 million declarations every year, including fresh fruit and vegetables. 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 yields a match with a risk profile, a Customs employee reviews the declaration based on the algorithm. 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, it is periodically checked how many declarations produce a match. 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

The legal basis for checks on marketing standards and quality requirements for imports and exports of fresh fruit and vegetables is in the Union Customs Code (DWU), the General Customs Law, Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. The use of risk profiles is also laid down in Article 46 of the DWU. That says customs controls must rely primarily on risk analysis by electronic data processing techniques.

Links to legal bases

• Douanewetboek van de Unie (DWU): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/NL/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R0952
• Algemene Douanewet: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0023746/2016-07-01
• Verordening (EU) nr. 1308/2013: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/NL/ALL/?uri=celex:32013R1308#

Operations

Data

The algorithm can use 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 of which declarations have a higher risk when bringing in and importing fresh fruit and vegetables. 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