CCI (Centralized Clearance for Import): New customs procedure coming soon
What this is all about and whether CCI is an alternative to the ATLAS import procedure
CCI is less a new customs law than a different way of organizing import clearance. The basic idea: the place of declaration and the place of presentation may be separate. The declaration is filed in the Member State where the business is established, even though the goods are physically presented at a different location.
Technical requirements such as tariff classification, customs value, documentation requirements, or prohibitions/restrictions remain unchanged - but the division of tasks among the customs offices involved alters the process.
Role Model: SCI and PCI
Two positions, one application process
In the CCI system, two customs offices work together:
- SCI (Supervising Customs Office): the customs office responsible for declaration and supervision
- PCI (Presentation Customs Office): the customs office where the goods are physically presented
As a result, decisions are no longer made by a single authority, and the national requirements of two Member States may come into play.
Best-Case Scenario
- Submission of the import declaration to the SCI
- Review and coordination by the SCI
- Physical inspection by the PCI, if necessary
- Feedback to the SCI
- Release
For companies, this means: Communication is handled centrally through the SCI, but the operational responsibility lies with the PCI.
Decisions, Taxes, Responsibilities
Decisions remain in effect, but responsibilities are distributed differently between SCI and PCI. In special cases, there is a greater need for coordination.
A stumbling block: End-to-end processes cannot be fully tested during the trial run; since audits cover only sub-processes, the exchange with the other Member State is simulated. Therefore, teething problems are to be expected initially.
For which companies is CCI a good fit?
CCI is worthwhile for:
- multiple points of entry
- a centralized customs organization
- frequent use of NCTS
- clear internal processes for controls and documentation
In short: CCI is particularly well-suited for companies that separate the place of presentation from customs management.
Conclusion
CCI effectively complements existing procedures, often replaces the NCTS procedure, and enables centralized communication. At the same time, it requires a realistic implementation plan, as the level of maturity and end-to-end functionality vary by member state. A phased implementation is recommended.
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