Re: NCTS Phase 5 Transition Process

Dear Member,
With reference to the letter sent to our Chamber by TOBB, a) letter dated 15.11.2024 and numbered E-96603261-102.03-00102967861, b) letter dated 15.11.2024 and numbered E-96603261-102.03-00102966284,
c) letter dated 15.11.2024 and numbered E-96603261-120-00102967612; in the referenced letters of the Directorate General of Customs on the subjects of "NCTS Phase 5 Transition Process", "Exit Notification Arrangement" and "E-Signature Applications" shared in relation to NCTS Phase 5, put into operation as of 17.11.2024;

• On the NCTS Phase 5 transition process:

It has been announced that during the transition to NCTS Phase 5, put into operation in our country as of 17.11.2024, some customs applications of the Ministry will not be accessible.
In this framework, as a result of the assessments made jointly with the Directorate General of Information Technologies of the Ministry, the list of customs applications associated with the NCTS programme which it was shared were deemed appropriate to be closed to access until the said transition process is completed is as follows:

Application Name:

1. Detailed Declaration (TCGB)
2. Summary Declaration
3. Inland Customs Entry-Exit Programme
4. Authorised Customs Broker System (YGMS)
5. Free Zones Information System (SEBİS)
6. Simplified Customs Declaration (BGB)
7. EGE Web Services

• On the NCTS Phase 5 exit notification arrangement:

It has been announced that, with NCTS Phase 5, where the transit declaration is to be recorded in the exit notification following the linking of the export declaration to the transit declaration created in NCTS, the code "NCTSP5" will be used instead of the code "NCTS" for "Declaration Type" in the "Relevant Declaration for Export" section of the exit notification.

• On NCTS Phase 5 e-signature applications:

It has been stated that, in line with the update introduced by NCTS Phase 5, a draft Communiqué amending the General Customs Communiqué (Transit Regime) Serial No. 4 has been prepared and referred to the Presidency for publication in the Official Gazette.
With the draft Communiqué amendment, the first paragraph of Article 17 of the General Customs Communiqué Serial No. 4 is amended as "(1) The transit declaration is made in Turkish and sent electronically signed to the relevant office of departure through the system…", while the first paragraph of Article 58 of the Communiqué provides: "The Ministry (Directorate General of Customs) is authorised to take all kinds of measures it deems necessary to ensure the implementation of this Communiqué, and to examine and conclude special and compulsory cases and matters not included in this Communiqué."

In this framework, it has been stated that, in order to ensure that obligors do not suffer grievances during the transition to implementation until a new announcement is made by the Ministry on the matter, at this stage, transit declarations issued under NCTS will continue to be accepted by customs administrations if sent with a wet signature as well as if sent electronically signed.

Kind regards,
Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry