Article • 09.12.2025
Grüezi! Agile into the future of customs with Passar
Switzerland replaces e-dec electronic customs system with Passar
History is currently being made at Switzerland's borders in terms of digital technology. The catalyst is the step-by-step replacement of the previously-used e-dec electronic customs system with the new Passar system. For businesses, software providers, and authorities, this change represents both a major undertaking and a big opportunity. With its ZODIAK GE customs software, DAKOSY is a technological pioneer and a solid anchor.
Dialogue for a state-of-the-art customs systems
The Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) has set up the “FOCBS Passar Software Development Working Group” to facilitate periodic discussions, bringing together all the key players involved in the modernization of Swiss customs. A group of representatives of FOCBS, software providers such as DAKOSY, and specialists from the freight forwarding, logistics, and transport sectors meet every six to ten weeks. The focus is on the progress of implementation of Passar, the technical requirements for interfaces and data formats, practical questions about day-to-day business operations, and the coordination of transition and emergency processes for the changeover from e-dec to Passar.
Under the umbrella of the DaziT program, the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) is advancing the digitalization of all customs processes. A system called Passar is at the heart of this transformation. Against this backdrop, DAKOSY is making its ZODIAK GE customs software fit for the future. “Switzerland is a strategic part of our portfolio,” affirms DAKOSY CEO Simon Lembke, explaining, “Switzerland is relevant for many of our customers. We want to establish a long-term presence in this market. Our comprehensive support for Passar and the associated investments underscore our commitment.”
This perspective gives users the confidence to make ZODIAK GE customs software a long-term pillar in their digitalization strategy. Feedback from the industry has been consistently positive. “Demand from our existing and our new customers encourages us to continue developing the Swiss market in terms of digital customs technology,” says Lembke.
“Switzerland is relevant for many of our customers. We want to establish a long-term presence in this market. Our comprehensive support for Passar and the associated investments underscore our commitment.”
Step-by-step changeover through 2027
The first results of the switch from e-dec to Passar are already evident. At the beginning of the year, the first component went live with the NCTS electronic shipping procedure. This was followed by the roll-out of export clearances. By the end of the year, all participants are required to have switched to the new export system. At the same time, the migration of imports to the new platform is starting. The Swiss authorities' current schedule envisages a pilot phase beginning in the middle of next year. The switchover of the import module is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
In addition, the exchange of data with the EU has been simplified and harmonized. One example is the ICS2 electronic advance notification system for security and hazard prevention. Switzerland has connected to the Shared Trader Interface (STI) centrally used by the EU. In practice, this means that air freight to Switzerland is pre-registered in ICS2 and processed via the European system. The ZODIAK GE software supports this new feature.
Authorities use agile software development methods
The phased deployment is made possible by agile software development. Based on short development cycles (sprints), this flexible and iterative approach enables a rapid response to changes. While this principle has been common practice in the IT industry for some time, its use by public authorities is relatively new.
This makes the nature of the collaboration doubly agile for DAKOSY. The company is actively involved in all pilot projects, whether NCTS, export, or the import project currently in the planning stages. “Customs authorities usually certify a software service provider for a completed module or process. But with Passar, we’re already on board in the agile phase,” explains DAKOSY customs specialist Lutz Hagen. The Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS), which is in charge of the project, has set up a steering committee for regular dialogue exchanges, and DAKOSY is an active participant in this committee.
A major challenge for logistics providers and freight forwarders
Companies must adapt to the changes step by step. This ties up a lot of resources, as the transition involves changes in both IT and processes. For software, this includes new modules and data fields. In terms of customs clearance, authorities are creating new procedures that companies are required to integrate into their processes, such as the use of mobile apps at the border for freight forwarders. For logistics companies, this transition also presents an opportunity to establish leaner processes and explore new customs solutions.
Customs software market reshapes itself
Software companies need to take a long-term perspective for the gradual migration to Passar. The roadmap for implementation spans several years. In addition, IT service providers will need to operate two parallel systems for Swiss customs during the transition phase. “Users need sufficient time to adapt and test their processes before they finally migrate to the new procedure. Even if Passar is already in use, it is important that the old e-dec system is available as a fallback option,” explains Hagen.
The corresponding investments have resulted in changes and realignments in the software market. In some cases, matching customs software is now only offered in conjunction with a transport management system (TMS). DAKOSY has made a clear decision to continue offering ZODIAK GE customs software as a stand-alone solution in the future. This allows freight forwarders and logistics companies to be flexible in deciding how they want to integrate customs software into their processes. “The changeover is a good opportunity to check whether the existing software is future-oriented and meets your own specific needs,” recommends Lembke.
Preventing media discontinuity
Even without the changeover to Passar, transport operations in Switzerland are challenging from a customs perspective. There are a number of potential media discontinuities when companies use different software for customs clearance in Germany and Switzerland. “These include switching between applications, maintaining master data in both systems, and entering different commodity codes for each country,” says Hagen, listing some common pitfalls.
By handling the German and Swiss customs systems on a single interface, ZODIAK GE significantly simplifies these operational processes. The basic principle for the user is simple: a copy function turns every German export into a Swiss import and vice versa. Automatic assignment of commodity codes is already taken care of. Goods items are allocated two commodity codes, one for Switzerland and one for Germany, which are assigned to the respective customs declaration.
“For users, simplicity is what counts,” Hagen explains, using tax assessment notices as an example. The German customs system Atlas sends these electronically, while Passar provides them via a web-based link. DAKOSY standardizes both processes so that users don’t notice any difference between the systems. In addition to the uniform interface, users also want a wide range of individual assessment options. These are needed for AEO certifications and audits, for monitoring open customs procedures, for statistics, for controlling, and more.
One interface for greater efficiency
In addition to the standardized operating concept for customs clearance, the single interface approach also simplifies organizational processes. In keeping with the cross-border process, there is a single support contact person who can provide information about both customs systems. Training requirements are reduced to a single software program. The IT department also benefits from the reduced workload: there is only one release cycle and one interface.
Lembke sees the current development as a very good opportunity to establish ZODIAK GE more effectively and functionally in the Swiss customs market. “Our top priority right now is to introduce Passar for imports as well and to get the process connections and interfaces up and running. In addition, there is high demand from customers for integration projects and functional enhancements. While it would present a challenge for any IT specialist, this is exactly our specific area of expertise,” says Lembke with a wry grin.