1. The declaration must be lodged at a customs office open for the intended customs operation.
2. The declaration must be lodged at the latest before the expiry of a period set by the Director General of Customs and Excise, starting from the arrival of the goods at the office or in the places designated by the customs service. This deposit must take place during the hours set by the Director General of Customs and Excise.
3. The Director General of Customs and Excise may authorise the lodging of declarations before the arrival of the goods at the office or in the places designated by the customs service. Orders issued by the Director General of Customs and Excise shall lay down the conditions for the application of this provision, and in particular the conditions and time limits within which proof must be provided of the arrival of the goods at the office or in the places designated by the customs service.
4. For the purposes of 1, 2 and 3, the declaration transmitted by electronic means is deemed to have been lodged at the time it is received by the customs authorities.