B-2-8- S.A.D. (single administrative document) for customs formalities


2-8-1- The Single Administrative Document S.A.D.

The S.A.D.: the single administrative document is a document intended to complete customs formalities. The single Administrative document is part of a list of customs documents needed to complete a customs procedure, depending on your operation.

The S.A.D. was established January 1, 1998, with the objective to simplify customs formalities and reduce the amount of information required. The S.A.D. is not used for intra-community transactions, but rather for transactions between the European community and third-party countries.

The S.A.D. declaration can be issued under common law or through simplified procedure.

The S.A.D. is now submitted electronically.

2-8-2- The application: the Single administrative document, S.A.D.

It is established by form, and used within the European community and in EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland). It implements export, community transit and import procedures. The form is part of bundle that includes eight copies. Forms may be added, in the event that declarations are issued by a private computer:
  • the first copy is intended for the customs desk on departure for export or re-export and/or community or common transit procedures,,
  • the second copy is intended for the statistical office on departure,
  • the third copy is intended for the applicant, the exporter,
  • the fourth copy is intended for the customs office at the destination, for community or common transit procedures,
  • the fifth copy is returned to community or common transit,
  • the sixth copy is intended for the customs office at the destination in order to carry out import and re-import customs procedures (transactions with third countries)),
  • the seventh copy is intended to be used for the statistics in the destination country
  • the eighth copy is intended for the applicant, the importer( recipient), after being endorsed by the customs office.

It should be noticed that the importer does not have to use the sixth, seventh or eighth copies.

Other additional copies can be used for the specific purposes of certain applicants.

2-8-3- Drafting of the S.A.D., Single Administrative document

The single administrative document is written taking into account:

  • the inherent goods and the documents to them, meaning the invoices, transport documents, the packing list and the other documents necessary to obtain preferential customs treatment.
  • the origin of the goods,
  • the tariff classification.

There are numerous boxes to be filled out in form 54. They are not listed here. In completing the form, it is better to look directly to the S.A.D. document or to get in touch with your freight forwarder. Do not forget to include the operator, the recipient, the goods, the amount of the goods, the Incoterms used and the list the names of the different carriers used.

2-8-4- The single administrative document, the S.A.D.: who must declare?

The S.A.D. must be furnished by people in position to present the goods and the necessary documents to execute the procedure to the customs office. The declaration can only be carried out in detail by a licensed customs agent on behalf of those with direct responsibility.

2-8-5- The Single Administrative Document, S.A.D.: when to declare?

The S.A.D. declaration must be made during the customs office’s regular business hours.