Anyone making customs declarations for import or export is confronted with numerous acronyms. The customs declaration procedure ATLAS is electronic and codes usually replace either certain documents or certain declarations.

We have compiled the most important document codes in ATLAS for you below. The list is not exhaustive and your customs agent will generally know all the codes.

Often several codes must be entered for one item. It is possible then, for example, that these codes must be declared when a vehicle is dispatched:

  • N380 (commercial invoice incl. number)
  • Y901 (no dual-use goods)
  • 3LNA (not a military asset)
  • Y902 (not containing ozone depleting substances)
  • Y903 (not cultural property)
  • Y922 (here: car seats do not contain dog and cat fur)

Where can I find the ATLAS codes?

The number of ATLAS encodings is vast. Sometimes they change regularly, for example because codes are added when new measures are introduced.

The latest document codes should be taken from the customs information sheets. These leaflets can be found here.

But please remember:

Even customs does not accept liability for the content of the leaflets. Companies must therefore always check for themselves whether certain codes need to be indicated.

Frequent ATLAS document codes

MeaningCustoms Code
Commercial invoiceN380
Pro forma invoiceN325
Not adual-use goodY901
No military equipmente3LNA
No delivery to an arms embargo country3LNA/81
Goods not covered by the Washington ConventionY900
Goods not controlled by ozone depleting substancesY902
Goods are not cultural goodsY903
Goods are not products made from dog or cat furY922
Movement certificate
EUR.1
N954
Preferential declaration of origin
on the invoice; WVB EUR.2
N864
Movement certificate
EUR-MED
U045
Declaration of origin
on the invoice EUR-MED
U048
Certificate of origin form AN865
Movement certificate A.TR.N018
Direct transport certificate7HHF
Konnossement bzw. Bill of LadingN705

Delays due to missing code

If you do not indicate the appropriate codes, there are two consequences: On the one hand, customs clearance may be delayed because customs needs more information. It may also lead to a customs inspection.

For exports, however, a missing document code can be much more problematic. This is because customs can assume that you have not checked whether an export ban exists or that you have tried to circumvent an existing export ban. This can lead to fines or criminal proceedings.

Dieser Artikel wurde am 23. September 2020 erstellt. Die fachliche Zweitprüfung hat Rechtsanwalt Dr. Tristan Wegner durchgeführt.

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