Customs & Trade Terminology

Structured retention of submission confirmations, payment evidence, and related compliance documentation.

A customs certification granted to businesses that meet defined compliance and security standards. It provides a recognised status that enables these businesses to access procedural simplifications and, sometimes, priority treatment in customs processes.

Structured communication with tax or customs authorities relating to filings, queries, or compliance matters.

Submission formats structured in accordance with local tax authority technical specifications.

Verification controls put in place to ensure tax payments are routed to the correct tax authority account.

A licensed intermediary that is authorised to submit customs declarations and coordinate associated duty payments on behalf of importers.

The completion of required customs formalities that then allows goods to enter or exit a territory.

A formal submission document made to customs authorities. It details the classification of goods, their value, origin, and the applicable duties for imported or exported goods.

The methodology used to define the taxable value of imported goods for duty and VAT assessment.

A customs representation model where the appointed agent acts in the name of and on behalf of the importer. The importer remains fully liable for customs obligations.

A locally established representative appointed in certain jurisdictions to fulfil VAT compliance obligations for non-resident businesses.

An internationally standardised product classification system used to determine tariff treatment and customs duties.

An EU scheme enabling VAT on consignments under €150 to be declared and paid through a single registration.

The entity legally responsible for ensuring imported goods comply with all relevant customs requirements, including duty payment and ensuring complete documentation is ready and available.

A customs representation model where an appointed agent acts in their own name on behalf of the importer, sharing liability for meeting customs compliance requirements.

An EU-established entity that is appointed to represent non-EU sellers under the IOSS scheme.

An EU statistical reporting system that collects data about the movement of goods between member states.

A legal structure where two parties share responsibility for a tax liability.

An EU reporting mechanism that allows eligible cross-border VAT payments to be declared at the level of a single member state.

Controls applied to ensure tax payments include correct authority references to prevent misallocation.

The criteria used to determine the economic nationality of goods. This is then used to apply tariffs and for trade agreement purposes.

A pan-EU, standardised customs declaration form used for import, export, and transit procedures.

The routing and payment execution of declared tax liabilities in accordance with jurisdiction-specific payment requirements.

A consumption tax applied to goods and services at each stage of the supply chain, including imports.

Formal registration with a tax authority to obtain a VAT identification number required for obligatory VAT reporting and payments.

A periodic VAT filing that clearly defines and details taxable supplies, acquisitions, imports, and associated VAT liabilities.

The payment of declared VAT liabilities to the relevant tax authority within certain deadlines.