In line with EU uniform requirements, new import declaration systems are currently being developed or have already been developed by all EU Member States, thereby reducing the differences between national solutions. In Latvia, a new structure has been established in accordance with the requirements of the EU Customs Code.
The VID explained that the new system – the “Automated Import System” – will replace the functionality of the currently used Electronic Customs Data Processing System (EMDAS) which has been in operation since 2019. For most people, the functionality is declaring goods sent via mail from outside the EU and paying taxes on those goods.
Users will use the same access rights at EMDAS and will have to select the new “Automated Import System” instead of the “Import Customs Declaration” subsystem, the VID said.
The major changes to the new system are related to the structure of the import declaration, namely there will be three parts to the declaration instead of two, and it will be possible to pay the calculated taxes by opening a specific declaration instead of connecting to the “Latvija.lv” portal, as is currently the case.
The new system is gradually being integrated with the EU single-window system, providing an increasing number of documents to be submitted by other authorities to be automated, thereby accelerating the clearance process.
The existing system has become quite notorious among its users for being confusing and cumbersome. In order to help customers successfully start using the new system, the VID organizes informational seminars: an on-site seminar is scheduled for May 31 at 12:00 Talejas Street 1, Riga, and an online seminar on June 2 at 13:00 on VID's YouTube channel.
It is planned to launch the new system on June 13.
