Port of Antwerp-Bruges, NxtPort, and The Way Forward announce the full go-live of the Inbound Release Platform, the digital platform that supports the port community in implementing the new European customs legislation for incoming goods.
After an extensive test phase with terminals, shipping agents, and logistics players, IRP will be further scaled up in almost all segments in the coming weeks: containers, RoRo, ferry, and breakbulk.
IRP has been active in all Belgian seaports since its launch in April 2025.
Meanwhile, 11 terminals in Zeebrugge, Ghent, and Antwerp are now fully operational, with 219,000 unloading messages processed through the platform in October.
Thirteen shipping agents have also begun operating through IRP and PN/TS, processing 6,351 Temporary Storage Declarations via the platform in October. From 1 December, various companies in Belgian seaports will switch definitively to IRP.
Tests across various scenarios have confirmed that both IRP and the connections with Certified Pick-up and the relevant customs systems are technically and operationally ready.
In the coming weeks, volumes will be increased further, beginning with transshipment and later including import shipments.
The phased approach allows the sector to adapt to the new working method, ensuring that from 1 December 2025, all local shipments can be registered entirely through PN/TS.
