What is the DUA and how does it work?

If you are importing or exporting products to countries outside the European Union, you have probably heard of the DUA. The Single Administrative Document (DUA) is a form used to declare goods at customs and to pay taxes and duties.

In this article we will explain what the DUA is, how it works, and what steps you must follow to complete the declaration correctly. Let’s get to it!

What is the DUA?

The DUA is an official document used in the European Union to declare goods at customs. It is mandatory for all imports and exports of goods carried out outside the territory of the European Union. Its purpose is to facilitate the control of products entering and leaving the country and to ensure that all rules and regulations are complied with.

The DUA is submitted in electronic format and is processed through the Tax Agency platform. It details the products to be imported or exported, their value, origin and destination, as well as any tax or duty that must be paid.

It is important to keep in mind that the DUA is not a license to import or export, but rather a document necessary to carry out these operations.

How does the DUA work?

The DUA declaration process consists of several steps that must be followed rigorously to avoid problems at customs. From the InPost team, we have created this mini guide so you won’t have any problems.

The first thing is to register on the Tax Agency platform: to be able to submit the DUA, it is necessary to register on the Tax Agency platform. You can do it if you have a digital certificate or electronic ID (and yes, we know this step is not always as easy as we would like)

Requesting the reference number: once registered, you must request the DUA reference number. This number will be used to identify the declaration during the processing process.

Filling out the form: with the reference number in hand, you will have to fill out the electronic form with the details of the import or export operation.

Attach the required documentation: depending on the nature of the operation, additional documentation may need to be attached, such as invoices, certificates of origin and/or permits.

Payment of taxes and duties: once the DUA has been submitted, the corresponding taxes and duties must be paid. This payment is also made through the Tax Agency platform.

Customs inspection: and finally, once the DUA has been submitted and you have paid the corresponding amount, the products will go through a customs inspection to verify that everything is in order.

Why is it important to submit the DUA declaration correctly?

Submitting the DUA declaration correctly is essential to avoid headaches with customs and to prevent possible delays in product delivery.

We want to emphasize the importance of this entire process, because if mistakes are made in the declaration, the products may be held at customs or fines and penalties may have to be paid.

And if, after reading our guide, you still have questions, in this other article we help you if your package has been held at customs. And remember that at InPost you can send parcels in just 4 clicks. We’ll be waiting for you!