Germany and Belgium are introducing new digital processes for import containers as part of a wider shift towards secure, paperless port operations across Europe. The changes affect hauliers, freight forwarders, and customs agents moving goods through the two countries’ seaports and inland networks.
Since 1 October 2025, German seaports have been replacing the traditional PIN-based container release process with a digital authorisation system known as the Secure Release Order (SRO). The rollout, coordinated by IT providers DAKOSY AG and dbh Logistics IT AG, forms part of the German Ports community platform.
The new system is designed to improve cargo security by ensuring that only one traceable and authorised party can pick up a full import container at any given time. It replaces the previous method in which release PINs were often shared between multiple supply-chain participants, increasing the risk of fraud or misdelivery.
The SRO implementation has followed a three-phase plan:
- October 2025: Carriers began issuing release orders via the German Ports platform in Hamburg, Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven.
- Late October to early November: Forwarders, importers, and haulage firms were onboarded to the system.
- From 3 November onwards: The digital release process became mandatory at participating terminals, with gradual expansion to all German seaports.
According to port operators, the change is supported by amendments to port legislation in Hamburg and Bremen, with Lower Saxony expected to follow in 2027.
Carriers including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and OOCL have confirmed they are now using the platform to issue pick-up authorisations. Maersk notes that customers who have not yet registered on the system may face delays or an inability to collect import containers, and that any resulting demurrage falls outside the carrier’s responsibility.
For hauliers and logistics companies, the practical implications are clear:
- Registration on the German Ports platform is required for anyone collecting full import containers.
- Companies must designate which entity is authorised to receive the release order.
- Only digital, traceable release messages are accepted; PINs are no longer valid.
The reform forms part of a broader digitalisation drive in German logistics, aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and compliance throughout the supply chain.
Belgium prepares for Temporary Storage Declaration (TSD) system
Belgium is finalising preparations to replace its long-standing Import Manifest (CUSCAR) system with the Temporary Storage Declaration (TSD), in line with the EU’s Union Customs Code (UCC) and the European Commission’s Multi-Annual Strategic Plan for Electronic Customs (MASP-C).
The new declaration applies to goods entering Belgian ports that are held in temporary storage before being assigned a customs procedure or re-exported. The change is being implemented through the PN/TS (Presentation Notification / Temporary Storage) system managed by Belgian Customs.
Under the updated framework, importers and freight forwarders will be required to file a TSD electronically through the national PNTS platform, which records arrivals, storage, and write-offs into customs procedures.
To support this transition, Maersk has adopted the Inbound Release Platform (IRP) for its Belgian operations. The company says the exact go-live dates vary by terminal, but operators should already be preparing for the change.
Belgian Customs has encouraged companies to:
- Review and update software systems to ensure compatibility with PNTS and TSD formats;
- Coordinate with customs brokers to verify who submits the TSD;
- Test data flows via the PNTS environment, available since early 2024;
- Monitor terminal-specific announcements, as timelines differ for Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and other ports.
According to logistics IT providers such as Descartes and Organi, the TSD aims to enhance traceability and compliance while aligning Belgium’s import systems with the EU-wide data model for customs.
Practical impact for hauliers and freight forwarders
Both initiatives mark a European trend towards digitised, traceable cargo handling and stricter security in port logistics.
For companies working across multiple EU ports, the key takeaways are:
| Country | System / Change | Effective date | Who is affected | Actions required |
| Germany | Secure Release Order (SRO) replacing PIN system | Phased in Oct–Nov 2025 | Hauliers, importers, forwarders collecting import containers | Register on German Ports platform; designate authorised receiver; stop using PIN-based releases |
| Belgium | Temporary Storage Declaration (TSD) replacing CUSCAR | Rolling out late 2025 / early 2026 (terminal-specific) | Freight forwarders, customs brokers, importers | Ensure PNTS/TSD compatibility; coordinate filing responsibilities; prepare IT systems |
Both reforms are expected to reduce fraud, improve traceability, and shorten processing times once fully implemented, but during the transition, operators may face temporary administrative challenges.
Industry groups have advised companies to register early and train staff to avoid disruptions in container pick-up or customs clearance.
The digital transition in Germany and Belgium aligns with the European Commission’s push for a fully digital customs environment by 2038 under the EU Customs Reform Package. Similar initiatives are expected to follow in the Netherlands, France, and Spain, introducing interoperable IT systems for goods presentation, release, and risk management.
For now, however, the most immediate effects — and potential bottlenecks — are being felt in Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, and Zeebrugge, where logistics operators are racing to adapt to the new requirements.
