Simplified export declaration (ALE)

You may apply to use a simplified declaration when declaring goods for exportation. In such cases, you may submit the information in the declaration in two steps.

With a simplified export declaration that you will submit less information about your consignment during the first step than you would in a standard customs declaration. The remaining information is subsequently provided in a supplementary customs declaration.

This declaration may only be used in cases of direct export, that is, when the goods leave the EU directly from a Swedish customs office of exit.

Direct and indirect export.

Authorisation is required

You need authorisation from Swedish Customs to submit simplified export declarations.

Find out more and request an authorisation to submit a simplified declaration.

An approved site for exportation is required

You must request an authorisation for an approved site of exportation to use simplified declarations.

Find out more and submit a request to use an approved site for exportation.

Submitting your simplified declaration

Submit your simplified declaration digitally using the ALE message. Once you have received an approval from Swedish Customs via the response message (ZEL), the goods have been released for exportation and may leave the loading site.

Removal of the goods

The goods should then be presented for removal at the Swedish exit customs office from which the goods are leaving the customs area of the EU. This is done by entering the MRN number of the declaration to the exit customs office (do not use the Export Accompanying Document). The MRN number may, for example, be presented on a commercial or administrative document.

Proof of clearance for exports

You can generate your own proof of clearance for exports by entering the place of loading code for a port or an airport in the simplified declaration. When you send the declaration a ALE message with a place of loading code, a message containing proof of clearance for exports is generated automatically (ZKL). This means that the information from the cleared export declaration is sent electronically to a consignee, such as a shipping port.

Electronic proof of clearance for exportation.

Supplementary customs declaration

A supplementary declaration should be submitted within 11 days of the goods being released. It should be submitted using message type UFF.

The supplementary declaration can be general, periodic or recapitulative. Periodic and recapitulative declarations are lodged per exporter, country of destination and mode of transportation.

When using a periodic declaration, all simplified declarations during a calendar month should be accompanied by a supplementary declaration comprising all consignments. The periodic declaration should be submitted before the 13:th day of the subsequent month. The date determining the rate of customs duty/release date should occur within the month of the declaration. For example, if the declaration for January is submitted on 13 February, you should enter 31 January as the date for determining the rate of customs duty.

If you fail to submit a supplementary declaration in time, you may have to pay a penalty.

Declaration guides

Swedish Customs has developed guides for declarations to help you enter each notification type. Here you will find guides for completing a simplified declaration using the ALE message, and how to complete a supplementary customs declaration using the UFF message.

Declaration guide for completing a simplified customs declaration with ALE.

Declaration guide for completing a supplementary customs declaration with UFF.