Introduction of Surcharge German Ports – Secure Release Order 01.10.2025

Introduction of Surcharge German Ports – Secure Release Order 01.10.2025 | Update

With reference to our newsletters of Juli 31, 2025 and September 5, 2025 we would like to share the latest information with you.

The Secure Release Order (SRO) will be implemented starting October 1, 2025 and will be introduced by German Ports in a stable and gradual onboarding process.

The goal is to enable a secure transition for all parties involved while sustainably strengthening the resiliance of the import process.

To minimize potential implementation risks, the transition will be phased in, according to German Ports:

• Starting October 1, 2025

Start of the SRO implementatition with the shipping companies.

For all other process participants, a “downgrade to PIN” remains temporarily possible, so that the PIN-based process can continue to be used until November 2, 2025.

• The period up to November 2, 2025

will be actively used for the onboarding of participants (freight forwarders, importers and carriers).

• From November 3, 2025

Mandatory start of the full SRO process for all import participants at two smaller terminals (one in Hamburg and one in Bremerhaven or Wilhelmshaven).

• From November 17, 2025

Gradual commissioning of all other terminals. Detailed planning for when each terminal will be commissioned will follow.

The described implementation process was developed in close coordination with the responsible authorities; this overview shows how the onboarding will take place for each participating industry.

Based on this onboarding process, we would like to inform you that we are postponing the introduction of the German Ports surcharge to January 1, 2026.

We would also like to inform you about our German Ports ID ATU61900946000000

Further information and registration can be found at German Ports.

We are of course happy to answer any questions you may have.

Introduction of Surcharge German Ports – Secure Release Order 01.10.2025 | 05.09.2025

As already announced in our newsletter of July 31, 2025, a new procedure for the handling of full import containers in the German seaports of Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven will come into force on October, 1, 2025, with the mandatory introduction of the Secure Release Order (SRO).

The previous PIN-based release procedure will be replaced by a digital, forgery-proof system. This will gradually transfer the right to collect a container digitally. All important information and a clear process diagram can be found on the official platform German Ports.

The introduction of the Secure Release Order will entail additional administrative and technical effort for us. In particular, costs will be incurred for:

• Interface processing and inspection processes via Dakosy (Hamburg) and dbh/CODIS (Bremerhaven/Hamburg)
• Monthly base fees for system connections (separately for Hamburg and Bremerhaven/Wilhelmshaven)
• Usage-dependent fees per container movement

To cover the costs, we will charge from October 1, 2025, a surcharge of

• EUR 5,– per loaded full import container

Please note that export and empty containers are exempt from this regulation.

We strongly recommend that you register early at German Ports to ensure timely setup and smooth processing of your full import containers starting October 1, 2025.

We are of course happy to answer any questions you may have.

Introduction of Surcharge German Ports – Secure Release Order 01.10.2025 | Update

The pickup process for import containers at German seaports is undergoing a significant change. This only applies to import transactions and will be mandatory from 1st October 2025, by German Ports, a joint project of DAKOSY and dbh Logistics.

Starting from October 2025, the current PIN-based release process will be replaced by the new digital and fee-based procedure “German Ports Secure Release Order”, an electronic collection authorization will repleace the current PIN-based release. The pick up process will be standardized and digital via the German Ports platform.

All details about the new process, including webinars and the registration option, can be found directly on the official German Ports website.

We recommend registering early to ensure your import clearance runs smoothly.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have.