Deployment of NCTS Phase 6 – Next step in the modernization of customs and transit procedures

The rollout of Phase 6 of the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS), now in use across the 27 EU Member States and the countries of the Common Transit Convention, marks a major step forward in the digital modernisation of customs and transit procedures across 41 participating countries.

Efficient transit procedures are essential to keeping supply chains moving, ensuring goods remain available on shelves, and supporting jobs and growth. At the same time, integrating transit with safety and security screening strengthens customs’ ability to prevent unsafe or illicit goods from entering the EU.

The upgrade enables economic operators to submit, at the same time and through a single channel — the NCTS Phase 6 system — both a transit declaration and pre-arrival safety and security data for entry into the Safety and Security Area (SSA), in line with Import Control System 2 (ICS2) requirements.

This brings important benefits for both businesses and customs authorities. NCTS Phase 6 offers two options, and it is for the customs authorities in the participating countries to decide which one to implement:

It should be noted that only complete ENS declarations can be lodged together with the transit declaration. Countries may also choose to move from opt-out to opt-in at a later stage. An overview of the choices made by each country is available in the NCTS Phase 6 State of Play.