15 April 2025 | Since 14 April 2025, freight forwarders, logistics and transport companies have been able to register via the German Ports website to participate in the digital exemption procedure for container imports via the seaports of Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven.

The aim of the digital exemption procedure is to effectively counteract drug import smuggling. The project is backed by the port community platforms (PCS) of the seaports, dbh Logistics IT and Dakosy. They have developed the new digital procedure together with the port industry and operate it jointly on the German Ports platform. The new exemption procedure is expected to be mandatory for all companies involved in import processes from 1 October 2025. With this in mind, Dakosy project manager Sven Reimers recommends registering as soon as possible in order to realise the technical connection and try out the new processes during the test phase, which will begin shortly. Companies can connect their own IT systems via open interfaces, use their existing digital access via the PCS platforms from Dakosy (IMP) or dbh (BIT) or process the exemptions via the German Ports web platform.

"Digital right to collect" replaces PIN procedure

The new release procedure is based on the "digital right of collection", which replaces the previous PIN-based release reference. The new "digital right" ensures that it is always possible to trace who is authorised to dispose of the container from the time it arrives at the port by sea until it is collected by the transport company. The container can only be released with the "digital right" by one authorised party to the next.

Source: Schifffahrt und Technik (SUT)/TECVIA Media GmbH