V.3.3.1.1. Forms and how to complete the transit declaration on paper in the SAD

The SAD is composed of copies numbered as follows:

• a set of eight consecutively numbered copies (from 1 to 8); or
• a set of four consecutively numbered copies (1/6, 2/7, 3/8 and 4/5).

The SAD may be supplemented, whenever necessary, with complementary SAD-BIS forms or loading lists. The SAD-BIS forms are numbered like normal sets of copies:

• a set of eight copies numbered from 1 BIS to 8 BIS;
• a set of four copies numbered 1/6 BIS, 2/7 BIS, 3/8 BIS and 4/5 BIS.

Section V.3.3.1.2 provides more information on loading lists.

For the transit declaration in paper format, three copies of the SAD must be used: copies #1, #4 and #5.

• Copy No. 1 shall be kept at the customs office of departure once the declaration has been registered.
• Copy No. 4 will accompany the goods to the destination customs office, where it will be filed.
• Copy No. 5 will accompany the goods to the destination customs office, where they will be returned to the country of departure once the transit procedure has been completed.

If the set of four copies is used for the transit declaration in paper format, two sets must be used: copies No. 1 and No. 4 of one set and copy No. 5 of the other. To indicate which copies of each set are not used, the number of the unused copy will be crossed out in the margin. For example, crossing out number 6 in copy 1/6 means that the copy used is number 1.

Title I, Articles 5 and 6, of Appendix III of the Convention

The SAD forms used as transit declarations must meet the following technical requirements, except when the declaration is made through the economic operator's computerized system.

Annex II of the SAD Convention

Appendices B1-B6, C1 and D1 of Annex 9 of the ADT

As a general rule, paper transit declarations will be drawn up on the SAD, either in writing (by hand, completed legibly, in ink and in capital letters) or using the economic operator's computerized system. However, printing of the SAD by public or private electronic means and, if necessary, on blank paper may be authorized, provided certain conditions are met (see further information in Appendix C1 of Annex 9 to the ADT/Annex B6 of Appendix III to the Convention).

Annex II of Appendix 3 of the SAD Convention
Annex B6 of Appendix III of the ConventionAppendix C1 of Annex 9 of the ADT

The SAD copies contain mandatory boxes, which must be filled out to complete a paper transit declaration, and optional boxes.

Only the first copy of the SAD (upper) is required to be completed. Since the document used will be printed on carbonless paper, the information provided will appear on the other copies.

The transit declaration must be drawn up in one of the official languages of the Contracting Parties acceptable to the competent authorities of the country of departure.

In order to avoid delays at the customs office of departure/destination (or at the customs office of transit), it is very important that economic operators correctly complete the SAD.
The customs office of departure must verify that the SAD has been completed correctly and legibly and that the stamp of the customs office of departure is clearly affixed to the declaration.

Annex II of Appendix 3 of the SAD Convention
Appendix C1 to Annex 9 of the DAT

The printed documents must not contain any deletions or amendments. Any corrections should be made by crossing out the erroneous indications and adding, where appropriate, the desired ones. Any such rectification must be endorsed by its author and by customs. They may, where appropriate, require the submission of a new declaration.

However, no rectification will be permitted once the competent authorities have informed the competent authorities of their intention to examine the goods after receiving the transit declaration, have verified the inaccuracy of the declaration data, or have released the goods for transit.

Article 173 of the CAU
Article 31 of Appendix I to the Convention

The SAD may be supplemented, where appropriate, by one or more complementary forms known as SAD-BIS forms.
The SAD-BIS may be used in the following cases:

• when the declaration refers to more than one article; or
• when a shipment contains T1, T2 and T2F goods.

Annex I of Appendix 3 of the SAD Convention
Appendix B3 to Annex 9 of the ADT

In such a case, the SAD-BIS forms will be used (as well as the loading lists) to record the data of the goods corresponding to each customs status (T1, T2 or T2F). The SAD must also contain a summary of the SAD-BIS forms used to register the goods corresponding to each customs status.

The SAD-BIS forms are part of the transit declaration and must meet the same technical criteria.

The instructions for completing the SAD will also apply to the SAD-BIS forms.

Note: A combination of SAD-BIS forms and loading lists cannot be used.