Port of Antwerp-Bruges, NxtPort and The Way Forward announce the full go-live of the ‘Inbound Release Platform’ (IRP), the digital platform that supports the port community in the implementation of the new European customs legislation for incoming goods. After an extensive test phase with terminals, shipping agents and logistics players, IRP will be further scaled up in almost all segments in the coming weeks: containers, RoRo, ferry and breakbulk
IRP forms the digital connection between customs and shipping agents, terminal operators, declarants and logistics service providers in the mandatory transition to PN/TS, the new European customs framework for the registration and control of incoming goods. PN/TS will replace the current customs system PLDA from January 31, 2026 at the latest. IRP streamlines and automates the exchange of data for customs declarations, shipping company information and terminal clearance, so that all parties can work together in a unified and secure manner.
Since its launch in April 2025, IRP has been active in all Belgian seaports. In the meantime, 11 terminals in Zeebrugge, Ghent and Antwerp are fully live and 219,000 unloading notices were processed via the platform in October. 13 shipping agents have also started part of their operations via IRP and PN/TS, accounting for 6,351 Temporary Storage Declarations (TSD declarations) processed via the platform in October. From December 1, several companies in the Belgian seaports will permanently switch to IRP. The biggest step in the transition still lies with the logistics players in the hinterland.
