Port of Antwerp-Bruges, NxtPort, and The Way Forward will fully launch the Inbound Release Platform (IRP) in December 2025. The platform supports the new European customs legislation (PN/TS) for incoming goods. After a test phase with terminals, shipping agents, and logistics providers, IRP will scale up across containers, RoRo, ferry, and breakbulk cargo flows.
IRP acts as the digital link between customs, shipping agents, terminal operators, declarants, and logistics providers. It streamlines the exchange of customs declarations, shipping information, and terminal release. PN/TS will replace the PLDA customs system by 31 January 2026.
Since its April 2025 launch, IRP has operated in all Belgian seaports. Eleven terminals in Zeebrugge, Ghent, and Antwerp are fully active, processing 219,000 unloading messages in October. Thirteen shipping agents have processed 6,351 Temporary Storage Declarations (TSDs) via the platform. From 1 December, all local shipments in Belgian seaports will transition to IRP, with logistics players in the hinterland following.
Tests confirm that IRP and its connections to Certified Pick-up (CPu) and customs systems are ready. Volumes will increase gradually, starting with transshipment and then imports. This phased approach ensures a smooth transition to PN/TS.
IRP enhances transparency, speed, and security in the digital processing of imports, transshipments, and transits. It integrates the entire port community into a future-proof system, enabling compliance with European customs rules across Belgian seaports.
