Submit application for outward processing

Source: Serviceportal Rheinland-Pfalz

The outward processing procedure allows companies to temporarily export Union goods from the customs territory of the European Union (EU) in order to have them processed in third countries. Less or no import duties are then due for the re-import of the processed products into the EU customs territory. Customs duty is based on the cost of the processing operation, and Union goods are subject to less or no duty.

Processing operations are understood to mean

the repair (for example, repairs),
processing (for example, dyeing of textiles), or
the processing of goods (for example, the production of bakery products from cereals and other ingredients).

In order to participate in the outward processing procedure, you must submit an application. There are 2 application procedures:

For so-called "sensitive goods and products" according to the Union Customs Code, a detailed, formal application must be submitted.
For other goods, the application can also be made in a simplified form.

The main customs office in whose district your main accounts for customs purposes are kept or accessible is responsible for the formal application.

The simplified application must be submitted to the customs office of export at your place of business or in whose district the goods are packed or loaded for temporary export.

Goods whose export confers a financial benefit on the debtor are excluded from the outward processing procedure. These include goods

the export of which gives rise to repayment or remission of import duties,
which have previously been released for free circulation duty-free or at a reduced rate of duty by virtue of their end use
the export of which gives rise to the granting of export refunds, or
which, by reason of their exportation, receive a financial advantage other than the abovementioned refund under the common agricultural policy.

A distinction is made between 2 forms of application. For "sensitive goods and products" according to the Union Customs Code a formal application is necessary, for all other goods as well as for the so-called standard exchange the application can be made in a simplified way.

Formal application

Open the form "Application for authorisation to use outward processing (0266)" on the customs website.
Download the "Customs Authorization Questionnaire Parts I to III and Part V" from the Customs website. (If you have an AEO Authorization as an "Authorized Economic Operator", this step is not required. You do not need to complete the questionnaire).
Before processing, it is advisable to contact your contact person at the relevant main customs office to clarify any open questions about the form and, if applicable, the questionnaire.
Once all questions have been clarified, complete the form (and questionnaire, if applicable), attach all required documents and send it to the relevant main customs office.
If the main customs office has successfully checked whether all the requirements for participation in the procedure are met, you will receive an authorisation. The approval will clarify the modalities for carrying out the procedure.

2. simplified application

Register with the customs software ATLAS ("Automated Tariff and Local Customs Clearance System").
If you do not yet use the software, you can purchase it from a certified software provider.
Use the software to make an electronic customs declaration to place the goods under outward processing and submit it online.
The competent customs office of export will check your application.
When you release the goods, you will also receive an authorisation for outward processing. The authorisation is valid for a single processing operation.

If you wish to place your goods under the outward processing procedure at a customs office of export in another member state, the application must be made electronically via the EU Trader Portal of the European Commission. In this case, the option of submitting the application in a simplified form does not apply. More information on the so-called "cross-member state authorisation" can be found on the Customs website.

You are established in the customs territory of the European Union and the goods to be processed are Union goods.
You are considered reliable in customs matters, for example, because you have the status of "Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)".
You keep appropriate records in the form approved by the customs authorities.
You carry out the processing operations in a third country or have them carried out there.
The processing of the goods in the third country does not significantly affect the interests of processing companies in the customs territory of the EU.

Submit application for outward processing

Process flow

Requirements

Which documents are required?

What are the fees?

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Processing duration

Legal basis

Applications / forms

Appeal

Translation note