France Switches to DELTA-T, its new IT System for Transit Declarations

The dates in this blog post might be outdated. For the most up-to-date information, please consult our FR landing page.

French Customs has introduced a new IT system for transit declarations, DELTA-T, which is progressively replacing NSTI, the French version of the EU’s NCTS (New Computerised Transit System).  

What is DELTA-T?  

DELTA-T is an online service for managing transit declarations from deposit to notification of arrival, including notification of passage and controls. These transit declarations allow the movement of goods with suspension of customs duties and taxes. They are valid in EU countries as well as in countries that have signed the Transit Convention. 

Why is France making this switch?  

DELTA-T enables processes that comply with the Union Customs Code (UCC), for example advance declarations, along with processes that were intended to be rolled out in phase 4 of NCTS, such as the unloading authorisation. 

Who should be using DELTA-T? 

The replacement of NSTI with DELTA-T has been delayed since the launch of the application in 2019. The switch is happening in three steps: first operators, then country flows, then software providers.  

There are several cases where you can already start using DELTA T: 

• If the goods are coming from France to the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, or the Republic of Ireland, transit declarations must be filed using DELTA-T. For flows from other Member States to the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, or the Republic of Ireland, transit declarations must be filed using the NCTS of the Member State of departure.
   
• If the goods are coming to the EU from the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, or the Republic of Ireland with an Office of Departure in one of these countries, the transit declaration must be lodged in the national NCTS of the country of departure. 
   
• If the goods are coming from the UK to the EU, but with an Office of Departure in France, the declaration must be lodged in DELTA-T. The transit declaration must indicate GB as a country of expedition. 
   
• If the goods are coming from the EU to the British Isles (UK, NI, and RoI), the declaration must be lodged within the NCTS of the country of departure. Beware that with an Office of Departure in France it is still possible to lodge the declaration in the former French system, NSTI, or in DELTA-T. The applicable filing system is dependent on whether the company has already adopted DELTA-T. 
   
• Transit operations beginning in the United Kingdom; Northern Ireland; The Republic of Ireland; Cyprus; Malta; Portugal; The Netherlands; Belgium; Luxembourg; Italy and San Marino; Spain and Andorra; Germany; Austria; and Switzerland and with an Office of Transit or an Office of Destination in France are also available in DELTA-T. 

How does a company adopt DELTA-T?  
French Customs issued a notice to operators outlining the prerequisites that should be in place for a successful move from NSTI to DELTA T, including: 

• an EORI number for each entity
• a DELTA-T Convention for each entity
• a guarantee
• a simplification authorisation for Authorised Consignor or Authorised Transit and/or TIR Consignee, if applicable.

Forecast 

By the end of September, 2021, all operators, country flows, and software providers will have switched from NSTI to DELTA-T. The XML data exchange format will replace EDIFACT messages in waves, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

Automate your transit declarations with CAS 

Have you adopted DELTA-T? C4T can help you secure the proper prerequisites and authorisations while you are onboarding with CAS. CAS is connected to French Customs’ import, export, and transit systems to automate your declarations filing. Schedule a demo today to find out how you can save up to 90% in administration and duty costs.