Pre-notification is the advance electronic notice submitted in the TRACES NT system to a Border Control Post before an incoming consignment subject to official controls arrives, enabling authorities to plan and resource the required checks.
In trade practice
Importers or their customs agents must submit pre-notification within the timeframe required under the Official Controls Regulation before the estimated arrival of the consignment. The notice includes details of the product, origin, quantities, means of transport and accompanying certificates. Late or missing pre-notification is a common cause of border delays, as the Border Control Post may refuse to process the consignment outside its planned schedule. Operators should confirm submission and receive a TRACES reference number before the vehicle departs.
In a specification
Import contracts and logistics instructions typically require the importer or nominated agent to submit pre-notification no later than the regulatory deadline and to share the TRACES reference number with the supplier as confirmation.