ATLAS is the central IT system of the German customs administration for the electronic processing of customs procedures. It was introduced to completely digitize communication between economic operators and customs and to replace manual processes. The aim is to make customs clearance more efficient, transparent, and legally compliant.
All customs procedures can be handled electronically via ATLAS, including import, export, dispatch, processing, and release for free circulation. The system forms the basis for specific modules such as ATLAS Export, ATLAS Import, and ATLAS IMPOST for e-commerce.
Companies are required to connect to ATLAS if they regularly file customs declarations. Alternatively, companies can also work with external customs service providers who have the appropriate connection and authorization, such as CB Customs Broker. Communication takes place via certified software solutions or proprietary interfaces. Feedback from customs—such as acceptances, audit decisions, or approvals—is transmitted digitally, which enables better planning.
In addition, ATLAS facilitates compliance with legal requirements, particularly within the framework of the EU Customs Code. It is closely linked to European systems such as NCTS (New Computerized Transit System) and ICS2 and is constantly being further developed.