Fret SNCF Customer Services > Technical guide > Customs and its formalities
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Customs and its formalities
Customs and its formalities
What you need to remember to make your paperwork easier when shipping internationally.
Intra-Community Trade
Merchandise traded with EU countries must be declared on a Declaration of Trade in Goods (DEB) to customs. This declaration is for statistical and trade tax purposes.
Extra-Community trade
Merchandise traded with EU countries must be declared on a Declaration of Trade in Goods (DEB) to customs. This declaration is for statistical and trade tax purposes.
Export from the EU via a point of export
Before entrusting your merchandise to be transported, you should carry out your customs clearance export operations at the Centre Régional de Dédouanement (CRD) connected to the shipping train station.
Import via an EU entry point
Third country merchandise (that is, not originating in EU countries) introduced onto EU territory must be driven and presented to customs and is subject to customs clearance formalities. These formalities take place at the CRD connected to the receiving train station.
Who is in charge of those declarations?
Since March 1st, 2001, we have ceased our customs broker activities. It is up to you or your representative to declare your merchandise to customs services.
Customs transit
Customs transit regulations apply to merchandise which is to be hauled under customs control (shipments or merchandise "in bond").
What merchandise is involved?
For import shipments, only merchandise arriving from a European Union non-member country comes under these regulations. For export shipments, customs transit regulations apply in these two cases:
- When you are routing your merchandise directly to an EFTA country (European Free Trade Association): Norway, Switzerland;
- When you are routing your merchandise through an EFTA country (for example, for a France / Slovenia via Switzerland shipment).
How do I handle a customs transit operation?
Third country merchandise (that is, not originating in EU countries) introduced onto EU territory must be driven and presented to customs and is subject to customs clearance formalities. These formalities take place at the CRD connected to the receiving train station.
To do that, you must choose between the two following procedures:
- Simplified railroad procedure: the transit declaration consists of the CIM Bill of lading (LV-CIM); the railway company is the principal obligor vis-à-vis the customs authorities. In this regard, the SNCF collects the fees entered under the heading, Services Additional to Rate. These fees are entered based on the franking endorsement on the Bill of lading.
- Normal procedure: the transit declaration is signed by you, electronically, using the new Computerized Transit System (Nouveau Système de Transit Informatisé - NSTI). You are the principal obligor. A paper document, the transit Movement Document, which gives effect to the electronic declaration, accompanies the merchandise to its destination.
More Information: 
http://www.douane.gouv.fr
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