NCTS-P5: Full roll-out across Europe!

The transition to NCTS-P5 is nearly complete, with more countries going live!

Learn what this means for transit declarations and operators.

The European Commission has confirmed that the transition to NCTS-P5 is now approaching full implementation, with several key countries completing the rollout.

Since January 21, 2025, nations like Andorra, Belgium, Hungary, Malta, Portugal, and San Marino joined Greece and North Macedonia in using the upgraded NCTS platform.

This marks the end of the long Transitional Period from NCTS-P4.

But what does this mean for economic operators, customs professionals, and the future of customs transit declarations? In this blog, we’ll delve into the key updates and provide insights on what these changes mean for your operations.

Top Six Questions we will answer:

1. What is NCTS-P5 and how does it differ from NCTS-P4?

2. Which countries are now fully on NCTS-P5 and why does it matter?

3. What does the final rollout mean for economic operators and customs professionals?

4. What are the four levels of the NCTS-P5 Transit Declaration?

5. How should businesses and customs authorities prepare for NCTS-P5?

6. What changes are expected with NCTS-P6 and how do they affect transit operations?

1. What is NCTS-P5 and How Does it Differ from NCTS-P4?

Streamlining European Transit: NCTS-P5 enhances the efficiency of transit declarations across Europe with a unified platform.

The New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) Phase 5 (NCTS-P5) is the upgraded system designed to facilitate more efficient and secure transit procedures across European Union Member States and Common Transit Convention (CTC) contracting parties.

It replaces the older NCTS-P4 system, which had limitations in terms of scalability, speed, and adaptability to emerging challenges in customs operations.

NCTS-P5 offers improved functionality, faster data processing, and better integration with other EU and international customs systems. For economic operators, this transition means a smoother, faster, and more secure experience when managing transit movements across borders.

2. Which Countries Are Now Fully on NCTS-P5 and Why Does It Matter?

As of January 21, 2025, the final countries—including Andorra, Belgium, Hungary, Malta, Portugal, and San Marino—will be fully integrated into NCTS-P5, joining Greece and North Macedonia.

This marks the end of the long Transitional Period, meaning that all transit declarations and related messages will now be processed through NCTS-P5 in most countries. Only a small percentage of legacy open movements in a few countries may still be processed via NCTS-P4 for the time being.

This full rollout is crucial as it standardizes transit processes across Europe and ensures that operators can rely on a consistent, modern system for their cross-border activities. This move simplifies the customs transit process, reducing delays, errors, and the administrative burden on both customs officials and operators.

3. What Does the Final Rollout Mean for Economic Operators and Customs Professionals?

For economic operators and customs professionals, the full roll-out of NCTS-P5 represents a major shift in how customs transit declarations are processed.

The transition to this upgraded platform requires that all users—whether businesses or customs authorities—be fully ready for the changes.

This means ensuring that your internal systems, IT infrastructure, and workflows are compatible with NCTS-P5.

Economic operators should ensure that they are familiar with the updated declaration requirements, understand the new message types, and have the right training in place for their teams.

Customs professionals will need to closely monitor the system’s implementation, as countries make their final configurations and deployments. While most countries will automatically switch to the final ‘Post-Transition’ configuration, some may require manual activation in the morning after deployment.

4. What Are the Four Levels of the NCTS-P5 Transit Declaration?

In NCTS-P5, the structure of the Transit Declaration has evolved from the simpler two-level system in NCTS-P4 to a more detailed four-level structure. This refinement allows for greater precision and clarity in the information provided across the supply chain. Let’s break down each level:

• Declaration Level: This level holds the general information that applies to the entire declaration, covering aspects like the declaration's origin, status, and involved customs offices.

• Master Consignment Level: Here, data is linked to the transport contract issued by the carrier or direct contracting party. It provides information regarding the transporter's details, the transport means, and the overall logistics contract.

• House Consignment Level: This level includes details about the lowest transport contract, typically issued by a freight forwarder, non-vessel operating common carrier, or postal operator. It pertains to more specific shipment details under the master consignment.

• House Consignment Goods Item Level: This is the most granular level, providing information about the individual goods within the consignment. The data originates from the positions listed in the transport document for the current house consignment.

In practice, when there is only one item in a transit declaration, data is entered at the Declaration, Master Consignment, House Consignment, and House Consignment Goods Item levels. However, for declarations with multiple items, there will be several House Consignment and Goods Item levels, depending on the number of transport contracts involved.

Example Schema:

• Declaration Level → General Declaration Information

• Master Consignment Level → Transport Contract Data

• House Consignment Level → Shipment Contract Data

• Goods Item Level → Specific Goods Information

5. How Should Businesses and Customs Authorities Prepare for NCTS-P5?

To deploy NCTS-P5 successfully, businesses and customs authorities need to carefully follow the latest available technical specifications. For national authorities, conformance testing is crucial to ensure that the system is correctly implemented and compatible across borders. This process can take considerable time, so early planning is key.

Businesses must ensure that their internal systems are ready to interface with NCTS-P5. This includes ensuring that all relevant data fields are available and properly formatted for the new system. Training for staff on the new structure and processes is equally important, as these updates will directly impact how goods are tracked and monitored across the EU and other NCTS countries.

Furthermore, maintaining close communication between customs authorities and the trade community is essential. It ensures that any updates, fixes, or changes are communicated effectively, helping businesses stay informed of any procedural adjustments. Preparing for NCTS-P5 means not just updating systems but also refining operational workflows to accommodate the new multi-level declaration structure.

6. What Changes Are Expected With NCTS-P6 and How Do They Affect Transit Operations?

Looking ahead, the release of NCTS-P6 between March and September 2025 introduces a major update related to safety and security data in transit customs declarations. These updates are aimed at improving the safety of goods crossing the EU’s external borders, as well as strengthening the flow of information through customs procedures.

Key Features of NCTS-P6:

• Safety and Security Data: NCTS-P6 will require more detailed safety and security data for goods entering the Safety and Security Area (SSA) of the EU, Norway, and Switzerland. This update is crucial for aligning with international standards for customs risk management.

• Opt-In vs. Opt-Out: NCTS-P6 will offer two options for countries—opt-in or opt-out. By opting in, countries can link their transit systems with the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) via the Transit ENS Data (TED) Processing Bridge. This integration will allow economic operators (EOs) to submit one unified declaration for both NCTS and ICS2, simplifying compliance. On the other hand, opting out means that a country will not connect to ICS2, and ENS data will not be utilized by NCTS. However, those countries still need to update their systems to meet NCTS-P6 requirements.

  
  

The transition to NCTS-P6 will be another significant step in modernising transit procedures across Europe. It will improve the accuracy and reliability of customs risk assessments, while also enhancing the flow of critical data for safety and security purposes.

Conclusion

With the transition to NCTS-P5 nearing completion, businesses and customs professionals must be proactive in adapting to the updated system.

This transition promises significant benefits in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and security for cross-border transit processes. But it also comes with challenges, particularly for those still working with the older NCTS-P4 system. If you haven’t yet fully prepared for the switch, now is the time to ensure your systems are up to speed.

The full transition to NCTS-P5 represents a major step forward in modernising Europe’s transit systems. With its four-level declaration structure, this update streamlines the management of transit movements, ensuring better tracking and risk management. As the rollout continues, businesses and customs authorities must remain vigilant, ensuring that their systems are prepared and that their staff are trained for the changes.

Additionally, with NCTS-P6 on the horizon, it’s important to stay informed about the evolving requirements, particularly regarding safety and security data. How is your company preparing for these changes? Share your thoughts or reach out for guidance on how to streamline your transition to NCTS-P5 and beyond.