An XML-based data interchange protocol and supporting systems for online customs declaration

Online customs declaration is becoming popular for international logistics through airports and seaports. This paper proposes a dedicated data interchange protocol and presents the supporting systems being developed for express post. Compared with the traditional Electronic Data Interchange, the proposed protocol and systems is based on XML, and supports RFID, Harmonized System codes, and image processing. The protocol and systems are efficient and advanced, and have been used by more than 30 logistics companies and airports in China. Among them are top logistics services companies like FedEx, DHL, UPS and TNT. The protocol is being considered as a national standard for customs declaration in China and has a potential to be accepted internationally based on China's best practices.