Common and Community transit

Common transit

This procedure is used for the movement of goods between the 27 EU Member States and the EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland). It is based on the Convention of 20 May 1987 on a common transit procedure. The rules are effectively identical to those of Community transit.

Community transit

This procedure is used for customs transit operations between the EU Member States (and Andorra and San Marino) and is in general applicable to the movement of non-Community goods for which customs duties and other charges at import are at stake, and of Community goods, which, between their point of departure and point of destination in the EU, have to pass through the territory of a third country.

The rules are set out in the Community Customs Code.

Transit brochure 'New customs transit systems for Europe'

This brochure (2001) offers you an overall picture of the reforms undertaken in common/Community transit and the TIR Convention.

The introductory chapter gives a short description of these three transit systems and an explanation of why a reform was necessary.

The second chapter gives an extensive explanation of the changes that have been introduced in the common and Community transit system.

The third chapter is dedicated to the introduction of the NCTS, the new European computerised transit system, while the fourth chapter concentrates on the TIR system.

Transit brochure is available here .

The Commission does not have a stock of this publication.

Transit Manual

The Transit Manual is the most comprehensive source of information on the common and the Community transit procedure. As such, the manual is a tool to promote a better understanding of how the transit procedure works and the roles of the various participants. It is also a tool to better ensure a harmonised application of the transit regulations and an equal treatment of all operators.

The manual is presented in six main parts as follows:

I. General Introduction

II. Status of Goods

III. Guarantees

IV. Standard Transit Procedure

V. Simplifications, and

VI. Debt and recovery.

Transit Manual available here .

Transit Manual up-dates

Transit Manual Supplement n° 1

Transit Manual Supplement n° 2

Transit Manual Supplement n° 3

Transit Manual Supplement n° 4

Transit Manual Supplement n° 5

NCTS final

NCTS-fallback procedure

NCTS-fallback procedure for traders

NCTS-paper loading list

Enquiry procedure

Practical information

Transit Network Address Book
The book contains the addresses of 27 national co-ordinators and approximately 400 regional and local transit liaison officers. Part of its role is to allow regular dialogue with the operators at the national and local levels, and to facilitate their contacts with the Customs services over all aspects of the operation of the transit regimes.

Transit Customs Offices Database

NCTS MRN Follow-up information

NCTS Design Document for National Transit Application

This document specifies the recommended design principles for a Trader Application System.

Legislation

• The law on Customs Transit procedures in the Community is laid down in the Community Customs Code (Council Regulation (EEC) N) 2913/92 as amended, and in the Implementing Provisions to the Community Customs Code (Commission Regulation (EEC) N) 2454/93), as amended.
• Convention on Common Transit : The Convention of 20 May 1987 on a common transit procedure forms the basis for the movement of goods between the twenty-seven EU Member States and the four EFTA countries ( Iceland , Norway , Liechtenstein and Switzerland ).
  Consolidated version
  Original version, with a list of amendments
• Decisions of the European Court of Justice

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