Every export from the EU requires a correct electronic export declaration via the ATLAS system — and the paperwork takes time you cannot spare in day-to-day operations. With Smart Zollagentur you create your export declaration yourself online: you enter the key details, our customs experts review the declaration, and you receive your export accompanying document (ABD) including the MRN digitally, usually on the next business day for declarations received by 11:00.
Customs declaration, export declaration or export entry?
Three terms, one procedure: the customs declaration for export is called an export declaration in customs law, and in everyday use often an export entry or simply an export filing. What is always meant is the electronic customs declaration via ATLAS that ends in the export accompanying document (ABD). With us you file this customs declaration online, without your own ATLAS software and without a participant authorisation.
What is an export declaration?
An export declaration is the electronic notification to customs that must be submitted before goods leave the European Union. It is transmitted via the ATLAS system of the German customs authority. The declaration is legally required once certain value or weight thresholds are exceeded.
When do I need an export accompanying document (ABD)?
As a general rule, an export declaration is required when the value of the goods exceeds €1,000 or the weight exceeds 1,000 kg. There are also special cases: for goods subject to licensing (e.g., dual-use goods or armaments), the obligation applies regardless of value. For your consignment you can check online whether you need an ABD in a few seconds.
The export accompanying document (ABD) is the printed output of the approved declaration. It physically accompanies the shipment to the exit customs office at the EU external border. Without a valid ABD, freight forwarders and carriers cannot export the goods — and without confirmed exit, a VAT-exempt delivery to a third country cannot be evidenced.
How the online application works
- Enter your data — you provide the consignor, consignee, goods description, values, and Incoterms in our online form. This typically takes just a few minutes.
- Expert review — our customs specialists check your information for completeness and accuracy: HS code, procedure code, customs value, and quantity details.
- ABD by email — once the declaration has been submitted to ATLAS and the inspection period has passed, you receive the ABD. With a customer account you can see in the portal beforehand that customs has accepted the declaration.
How quickly do I receive the acceptance confirmation and the ABD?
You receive confirmation of your order by email right after submitting it, even without a customer account.
With a customer account you also see customs acceptance in the portal. It is usually available within an hour if your complete declaration reaches us during our service hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30–16:00, Friday 8:30–14:00. Exceptions are:
- queries about your details, until they are resolved
- goods subject to licensing, for example dual-use goods
- outages of the customs ATLAS system
The ABD with its MRN follows once the inspection period has passed, during which the customs office decides whether to inspect. For declarations received by 11:00 you usually receive it by email on the next business day. In urgent cases you receive a process slip within an hour and can take it to customs yourself together with the goods.
We email you the exit confirmation as soon as the customs office of exit has confirmed that the goods have left.
What data do we need?
- Consignor and consignee with full address and EORI number
- Detailed goods description with statistical commodity code (HS code / customs tariff number)
- Goods value in EUR and quantity (number of units and/or weight in kg)
- Type of packaging (pallet, carton, container)
- Delivery terms under Incoterms 2020 (e.g., EXW, FOB, CIF)
- Mode of transport (road/truck, sea freight, air freight, rail)
- Location of the goods with postcode: this determines the responsible customs office of export (look it up with our customs office search)
Export declarations for shipping with DHL, UPS, FedEx or a freight forwarder
For consignments to third countries, courier and parcel services and freight forwarders need the MRN of your export declaration, because it is presented to the customs office of exit before the goods leave the EU. In practice your carrier will therefore ask for the MRN or the ABD before pick-up. You receive both from us by email and simply pass them on. You are free to choose your transport provider. Parcel carriers also have their own value thresholds for shipments without an ABD, often at €750.
For consignments up to €3,000 there is the one-stage export procedure directly at the customs office of exit. Couriers such as FedEx, DHL or UPS often cannot use it, however, and expect an ABD from the two-stage procedure. Why that is so is explained in the article on the one-stage export procedure.
Customs clearance for Switzerland, the UK and other third countries
The export declaration is the same for every third country; the customs clearance behind it is not. For the three most common destinations we have dedicated guides: export to Switzerland covering proof of origin and import duties, export to the USA covering courier shipments and US-side import, and export to the UK covering GB EORI and EU–UK preferential origin. For all other countries the process on this page applies.
Pricing at a glance
An export declaration costs €30 per declaration (€25 for high-volume customers from 15 declarations a month). The base price includes one tariff line (one HS code position). Each additional tariff line is charged at €5. All prices are net, excluding statutory VAT. Full pricing details on the pricing page.
See what that looks like day to day on our customs software page. There you create orders, look up commodity codes in the built-in directory, track the processing status including our customs experts’ corrections, and download your documents.
Related reading: What is an ABD? explains what the export accompanying document is — and Export Declaration, Step by Step walks you through the entire process.