Despite the internal market, customs knowledge remains crucial in the EU, especially now that new and often complex regulations continue to reshape the playing field and digitalization is becoming increasingly impactful. Transuniverse Forwarding therefore considers this knowledge a top priority. Meet Tineke Van Veirdegem, the new Head of Customs.
Tineke takes over the department from Michel Delattre, who recently decided to take his career in a new direction. She has been working as a customs declarant at Transuniverse for over seven years. “My focus was on exports to Turkey and excise duties. Over the years, I regularly stepped in to support various import and export departments. This allowed me to gain knowledge and experience about the customs aspects of different flows. So when the position became available, I didn’t hesitate to apply,” she says.
Tineke studied logistics management at the University College of Ghent. “One of the subjects that intrigued me most was customs. I dove into it, and the bug hasn’t let go of me since. I started as a declarant at a customs agency in Zeebrugge, and later joined Transuniverse.”
A passion for customs
According to her, she developed a passion for customs because the sector is in constant evolution. “It’s a fascinating field. The customs landscape changes regularly, which makes it essential to continuously update your knowledge of the rules. These rules often change—think of the major reform of the EU customs union in May 2023, the more recent implementation of the Import Control System 2 (ICS2), or the successive revisions of regulations post-Brexit.”
The Customs team consists of four people, supported by five colleagues in Romania for administrative assistance. “In fact, the Belgian team currently has five people, since I’ve temporarily joined them,” adds management member Olivia Adins. “I felt the need to refresh my customs knowledge and want to support Tineke in her role, especially as we’re rolling out a major automation project.”
Automation gaining momentum
Indeed, customs operations in the EU are increasingly being digitized and automated. In recent months, various systems have been introduced, such as AES and NCTS5. AES (Automated Export System) is the new European system for digitally handling export declarations, aimed at harmonizing export processes and improving real-time monitoring. NCTS5 (New Computerised Transit System version 5) is the latest version of the EU transit system, handling the customs-supervised transport of goods within and beyond the EU more digitally and efficiently.
IDMS implementation is the biggest challenge
“But the biggest challenge is implementing IDMS (Import Control Data Management System). This includes the Entry Summary Declarations (ENS), which require detailed shipment information to be submitted before arrival in the EU so customs authorities can carry out real-time risk assessments. It was initially scheduled for implementation this June, but the date has been postponed to September 30 because Customs will not be ready with its software in time. That already shows how complex the new system will be,” Tineke emphasizes.
IDMS indeed brings significant changes. It requires a new way of working, and many of the fields to be filled in will have new labels. “It’s like a tax return where suddenly all the boxes have different codes. We’ll need external training to sharpen our understanding of the new procedures—and pass this on to our clients,” she explains.
Supporting clients with customs issues
“Procedures and compliance are becoming stricter, whereas there used to be a bit more flexibility. That’s why it’s so important that we inform our customers and make them aware that this flexibility is disappearing. Our clients also have questions. As a customs broker, we can answer those questions and not only offer transport services, but also assist with a range of customs challenges,” Olivia adds.
“For instance, we see that many customers trading with the United Kingdom still have a lot of questions—because even four years after Brexit, the rules aren’t always clear, especially now that some transition periods are ending. Customers who haven’t shipped to the UK in a while also often don’t know where to start. They can always come to us for guidance,” Tineke adds.
“In fact, customers will be able to meet the Customs team during the Transport & Logistics fair in Antwerp in October to ask specific questions—for example about the IDMS procedures that will come into effect then,” Olivia concludes.
