Transit – Entry

Transit – Entry is used for the pre-notification of goods transported exclusively under the transit procedure (NCTS) regarding the passage (Office of Transit) from Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein via Vorarlberg to a customs office of destination of the transit procedure. This applies regardless of whether the office of destination is located in Vorarlberg, in another Austrian federal state, in another EU Member State, or in a country that is a contracting party to the Convention on a common transit procedure.

In accordance with point III.I.2 of the Design Documentation for National Transit Application (DDNTA), the Austrian customs administration has decided to make the submission of this pre-notification mandatory as of January 1st 2026.

This means that from January 1st 2026, electronic pre-notifications for the passage (Office of Transit) must be submitted via Smart Border Austria before arrival at the office of transit.

For transports with additional loads of Swiss export shipments, the Approved Location Corridor – Entry process must be used instead.

The process flow of a Transit – Entry is shown in the graphic below:

Transit – Entry

Explanations of the Process Steps

  1. The IT system of the economic operator in Switzerland/Liechtenstein sends a transit pre-notification (entry) "IEATBT11" to Smart Border Austria, including the goods loaded on the means of transport that have been registered for the transit procedure (NCTS) via one or more MRNs.
  2. As confirmation of the successful transit pre-notification (entry) and the creation of a new business case (border transaction), Smart Border Austria sends a transit confirmation (entry) "IEATBT12" and the Transit Entry Slip (TES).
  3. The economic operator in Switzerland/Liechtenstein prints out the Transit Entry Slip (TES). This is handed over to the driver of the means of transport, who then proceeds to the Austrian border customs office.
  4. The border crossing at entry is recorded digitally in Smart Border Austria.
  5. Smart Border Austria sends the electronic message "border crossing confirmation transit (entry)" "IEATBT13" to the IT system of the economic operator in Switzerland/Liechtenstein. The business case (border transaction) is thus completed.

​​​​​​​Cancellation and Special Notes

  • Cancellation: A business case can only be cancelled as long as no border crossing has taken place. The economic operator's IT system sends a cancellation message "IEATBT90" to Smart Border Austria. As confirmation, Smart Border Austria sends a cancellation confirmation "IEATBT91".
  • Paper Requirement: The document "Transit Entry Slip" must always be carried in printed paper form during the transport of the goods.
  • International Diversion: In the event of an international diversion via an office of transit in another EU Member State, the economic operator is required to send a cancellation ("IEATBT90") to Smart Border Austria.
  • Error Handling: If errors occur during the processing of messages, particularly due to failed checks, this will be reported back via message "IEATBT99". It is essential to wait for the corresponding confirmation messages ("IEATBT12", "IEATBT91").
  • Simultaneous Use: The simultaneous use of a license plate number of a means of transport for several processes in the same direction (exit or entry) is not permitted until the process has been completed.