Centralised Clearance for Import (CCI) system is expanding across EU over time

On 30 September 2024 Croatia joined the CCI system implementing the first phase of CCI system: see Centralised Clearance for Import (CCI) system is expanding across EU over time - European Commission

The CCI system entered its first phase of implementation in July 2024, starting with 8 Member States: Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania: see Centralised Clearance for Import (CCI) goes live - European Commission (europa.eu)  

This new trans-European system ensures the digitalisation of the centralised clearance process at European level as defined in the Union Customs Code (UCC). It is available for use by European businesses in Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Croatia and Italy. Other Member States are planning to join gradually in the coming year.

The new trans-European CCI system allows trusted traders to submit a customs declaration at the supervising customs office in the Member State of their establishment, for goods physically presented to a customs office in any other Member State, enabling customs declaration processing and physical release of goods in a digital, efficient, predictable, and coordinated way among the customs offices located in different Member States. All contacts take place with the supervising customs office, acting as a one-stop shop.  

The new system enables the customs authorities of different Member States acting as one customs authority for the clearance of goods under CCI.It ensures seamless electronic exchange of information between customs offices involved, reducing administrative burden for the Member States’ customs administrations when processing the customs declaration for imports. For example, it reduces the number of actors involved, simplifies the process for bringing goods into the EU, and assures that the EU businesses can use CCI simplification in a digital environment.

The CCI system is a powerful new tool to reduce administrative burden for administrations, while supporting EU businesses and the legitimate trade facilitation across borders through simplified procedures.

How does the CCI Phase 1 system work?

The first phase of the CCI system enables an automated processing of standard customs declarations for placing goods that are physically presented to customs at a customs office/s in another Member State/s under release for free circulation, customs warehousing, inward processing and end-use.

How will EU companies benefit? 

• Faster customs clearance of the imported goods 
• Reduction of the number of customs procedures, i.e., no transit procedure
• Reduction of administrative workload through a single contact 
• Saving costs with centralised processes, providing transparency and compliance
• Participating in a globalised market, being more competitive, boosting business with customers and partners regardless of their location

How can my company use the CCI system? 

The economic operators interested in using CCI simplification and the CCI system shall be a holder of a CCI authorisation, therefore, they shall first apply for such authorisation. The applicant for a CCI authorisation shall apply to the competent customs authorities in the EU Member State where the applicant is established, which may grant an authorisation in accordance with Article 179 of the UCC - see CCI P1 Business Guidelines for further info. 

When will the next phase of the CCI system be released?

The second phase of CCI system will extend the possibility to process simplified, supplementary declaration, entry into declarant’s records, excise goods and goods in the context of EU trade with special fiscal territories. It is scheduled for 2 June 2025, as set in the UCC Work Programme.

More information

• CCI Phase 1 Business Guidance
• CCI Phase 1 eLearning module for Traders and for EU Customs Officers