PD Client and GDB (NL)
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Belgian Customs is replacing the familiar PLDA AC4 with a completely new AC4 application within the IDMS environment. This is not a traditional upgrade, but a fundamental overhaul of the system used to declare excise goods for consumption. We are already preparing our partners for this change. In this report, you can read about what AC4 is, why it is changing, and exactly what’s new.
AC4 is the declaration used to release excise goods—such as alcohol, tobacco, and energy products—for consumption in Belgium. Through this declaration, the excise taxes due are calculated and paid at the moment the goods leave the excise suspension regime and actually enter the Belgian market.
Today, those declarations are still submitted via AC4 within PLDA, the declaration platform that for years formed the backbone of Belgian customs processes.
Under the UCC (Union Customs Code), PLDA is being phased out completely, step by step. Import declarations have already been migrated to IDMS, and export declarations to AES. Since AC4 still exists today as a module within PLDA, this component must also be replaced.
Belgian Customs has therefore developed a new application specifically designed for AC4 declarations. This change is mandated by Customs and is part of a broader European effort to modernize customs processes and data models.
The new AC4 is not an evolution of the existing system, but a completely new claims system. Both technically and functionally, this translates into a different way of working:
Existing logic from PLDA cannot simply be carried over. Therefore, integrations and internal processes should also be reevaluated.
Good to know: At launch, functionality will initially be limited to basic filings. Expansions, such as the link to EMCS and the ability to attach documents, will follow at a later stage.
The migration will take place in phases. Customs has planned a transition period during which the new AC4 system will be available and ready for use, while the existing PLDA AC4 system will continue to run in parallel. At the end of that period, the new system will become mandatory for all Belgian operators. The old system will remain available for a very short time afterward for specific actions, such as cancellations, and will then be shut down completely.
Belgian customs will announce the official timeline at a later date. As soon as it is known, we will notify our partners immediately. One thing is certain: preparing early pays off. Those who take advantage of the transition period will be able to make this transition in a controlled manner and without disrupting their own processes.
Stream Software has developed a new AC4 module within the Streamliner platform, fully aligned with the latest customs specifications. The module is available via Declaration Systems → IDMS → AC4 and will be configured for our partners as soon as customs gives the green light.
Here's how you can get ready today:
The introduction of the new AC4 is a mandatory and significant migration: the new system completely replaces the existing PLDA AC4. With the AC4 module within Streamliner, comprehensive documentation, and personalized support, we ensure that our partners navigate this transition smoothly and worry-free.
Do you have questions about AC4 or its impact on your processes?
Contact us at info@streamsoftware.eu or +32 (0)3 825 77 74.
