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Instructions for requesting comparison data on imports without VAT entries in an accounting software system

Some of the saved information derived from previous customs clearance decisions (including the decision number, clearance date and customs value) is accessible via the Ilmoitin.fi website, even if you have no interface that connects to an accounting software.

However, the requested information will only be delivered to you as raw data, without further processing. This means that there is no automatic comparison with the entries in your company's accounting books. To make that comparison is your responsibility. You have to do it manually.

When you request data on VAT-taxable imports for purposes of comparison, you should first create a .txt file manually. It can be a Notepad text file or it can be based on an Excel template that you can find in Ilmoitin.fi  (Value-added taxation on imported goods (VSTULLER) request file). The Tax Administration recommends that you use the Excel template to create your request. 

 

You need to input the following data:

  • Business ID or personal identity code of the party submitting the request
  • Time range for your request for data
  • Business ID of the company concerned
  • An attribute identifying the sender’s software
  • Timestamp

For more information, see the Specification of data records (VSTULLER).

After you have created the txt file, you must first log in to Ilmoitin.fi, and then upload the txt file and send it.  You log in to Ilmoitin.fi with your personal e-bank security codes. If the txt file contains errors, the check feature on Ilmoitin.fi will prompt you to make the necessary corrections before you can send the file.

The answer file will come back to Ilmoitin.fi when it is ready.  You will get an e-mail message to inform you of it (provided that you included an e-mail address).  The information in the answer file will match the time range you requested and the relevant customs clearance decisions one-by-one.

The following is a list of the contents in a typical answer file:

  • Customs clearance decision no.
  • Customs values
  • Duties and other charges collected by Customs, totals
  • Procedure EU2 > Previous procedure, Procedure EU1 > Requested procedure, Procedure FI > Additional procedure
  • Current contact information of a representative
  • Version

 

Because of system updates that have been made, the answer file will also indicate the version (185) of the customs clearance decision.  Both 00 and TUL mean original versions of customs clearance.  Any changed decisions that are made later will generate version numbers 01, 02, etc. and the appropriate date (186), or one of the values listed below plus the date when the value changed. These will show on the answer file.

  • TUL - Customs clearance decision
  • OIK - Adjustment decision
  • JAL - Decision on subsequent recovery
  • PAL - Amendment decision on reducing the customs debt
  • MIT - Decision on invalidation
  • OSI - Decision on customs debt regarding temporary admission with partial relief from import duty

Your answer file will inform you of any circumstances that may have prevented the compilation of the answer. Examples of why an answer file cannot be compiled: your request file contained a company name that cannot be found in the Tax Administration’s register, no data was found for a certain company, etc.

 

Page last updated 11/1/2022