This glossary explains each column in the kolum imports bulk upload template, ensuring you enter data correctly and avoid upload errors. It is designed for users of all backgrounds so you can confidently prepare your import files. The columns are listed in the order they appear in the template. The template also carries an Explanation, an Example, a Validation and a Changelog worksheet; the Changelog tells you what moved when you come from an older version of the file.

Identifier (Optional, first column)

What it is: Your own unique reference for the import. It is the key kolum uses when you upload a file again: a row whose Identifier already exists updates that import in place, and a row with a new Identifier creates a new import.

What to enter: The identifier you use for this import in your own systems, or leave the cell empty and kolum generates one for you in the form kolum-ImportID-1, kolum-ImportID-2, and so on (you see it in the imports table and in the export afterwards). If you fill it in, it must be unique within your account, and the same Identifier may not appear twice in one file. Use the generated identifier in later uploads when you want to update that import.

Date (Mandatory)

What it is: The date of import for your goods (customs declaration date).

What to enter: Use the YYYY-MM-DD format (e.g., 2025-06-30). Do not use other date formats.

Quantity (Mandatory)

What it is: The amount of goods imported, expressed in the unit you state in the Measurement Unit column. Previously named Volume, which was always tonnes.

What to enter: Enter a numerical value only, without a unit in the cell. A quantity given in kg is converted to tonnes when it is saved.

Measurement Unit (Mandatory)

What it is: The unit the Quantity is expressed in. Quantity and Measurement Unit always travel together; the unit is never assumed, even where the goods make it obvious.

What to enter: kg or t for goods; MWh only for electricity (tariff codes starting 2716). Any other unit, or an empty cell next to a filled Quantity, makes the row invalid.

CN Code (Mandatory)

What it is: The 8-digit Combined Nomenclature (CN) code used for classifying your goods for customs duties and reporting.

What to enter: Enter the full 8-digit CN code. Ensure it precisely matches the goods you are importing according to your customs documentation.

EORI Number (Mandatory)

What it is: A unique identifier assigned to your importing company for customs purposes within the EU. It is how a row points at the importing company, and the country of that company also determines the Customs Value Currency.

What to enter: Enter your exact EORI number as registered in your kolum account (e.g., DE123456789). If the number does not match your registered company in kolum, the upload will fail.

Article Reference Number (Optional)

What it is: The unique identifier for your article as created in kolum.

What to enter: Use the exact article reference identifier as it exists in kolum (e.g., ART-001). Articles must be created in kolum before bulk upload. Leave blank if not applicable.

Supplier Identifier (Mandatory)

What it is: The identifier of the supplier from whom you are importing the goods.

What to enter: Use the exact supplier identifier already created in kolum (e.g., SUP-01). If the supplier does not exist in kolum, you need to add it before uploading.

Production Facility Identifier (Optional)

What it is: The identifier of the supplier's production facility where the goods were produced.

What to enter: Use the exact identifier as created in kolum (e.g., FAC-01); it must belong to the supplier named in Supplier Identifier. This helps link your imports with emissions and facility tracking.

Country of Origin (Mandatory)

What it is: The country where the imported goods were manufactured or produced.

What to enter: Always use the two-letter ISO country code (e.g., CN for China, IN for India). Do not write the full country name. Incorrect codes will cause upload failures.

ATC Number (Optional)

What it is: An Administrative Reference Code for customs tracking, if available.

What to enter: Enter the ATC number (e.g., IMP#123) or leave blank if not used.

Customs Value (Optional for EU CBAM)

What it is: The customs value of the imported goods as declared to customs, in the currency shown in the Customs Value Currency column.

What to enter: Enter a numeric value with at most two decimals. Do not include currency symbols or thousands separators. If the importing company is registered for UK CBAM, the row needs a customs value, because the UK registration threshold is measured on it.

Customs Value Currency (Optional)

What it is: The currency of the Customs Value as an ISO 4217 code. kolum derives it from the country of the importing company (for example EUR for a German company) and always stores that derived value, so this column confirms the currency rather than setting it.

What to enter: Leave it blank, even when Customs Value is filled in, and kolum fills in the derived currency. If you do enter a value, it must match the derived currency, otherwise the row is rejected; kolum never converts between currencies.

Internal Reference Number (Optional)

What it is: Your own internal tracking reference for this import. It is not the update key; use Identifier for that.

What to enter: Enter a text reference (e.g., INT#001). It does not have to be unique and is never used to match rows to existing imports.

Applied Customs Procedure (Mandatory)

What it is: A code indicating the customs procedure under which your goods are being imported (e.g., release for free circulation).

What to enter: Enter the customs procedure code: CP01, CP07, CP40, CP42, CP43, CP44, CP45, CP46, CP48, CP51 or CP54 (e.g., CP40 for release for free circulation, CP51 for inward processing).

Previous Customs Procedure (Optional)

What it is: If the goods were previously under another customs procedure before the current one, indicate that code here.

What to enter: One of CP00, CP01, CP10, CP40, CP42, CP45, CP51, CP54. Required when Applied Customs Procedure is CP51 or CP54 (inward processing), often CP00 for a fresh entry into inward processing; otherwise leave blank.

Deadline for Submission of Bill of Discharge (Optional)

What it is: If your goods are under inward processing, this is the deadline for submitting the bill of discharge to customs.

What to enter: Use the YYYY-MM-DD format. Required when Applied Customs Procedure is CP51 or CP54; otherwise leave blank.

Globalization Time Start (Optional)

What it is: For inward processing, this indicates when the globalization period for the goods starts.

What to enter: Use the YYYY-MM-DD format. Required for CP51 or CP54 when the bill of discharge is globalized; otherwise leave blank.

Globalization Time End (Optional)

What it is: The end date of the globalization period for inward processing.

What to enter: Use the YYYY-MM-DD format. Required for CP51 or CP54 when the bill of discharge is globalized; otherwise leave blank.

Member State of Inward Processing Authorization (Mandatory if inward processing is used, otherwise leave blank)

What it is: The EU Member State that issued the inward processing authorization.

What to enter: Use the two-letter ISO country code (e.g., DE for Germany, FR for France). Do not write full country names.

Inward Processing Authorization (Optional)

What it is: The reference number of the inward processing authorization granted by customs.

What to enter: Enter the authorization code (e.g., IPA-DE-2025-00123). Required when Applied Customs Procedure is CP51 or CP54; otherwise leave blank.

Inward Processing Discharge Bill Waiver (Optional)

What it is: Indicates whether the requirement to submit a bill of discharge has been waived by customs.

What to enter: Enter TRUE if a waiver applies, FALSE if it does not. Required when Applied Customs Procedure is CP51 or CP54; otherwise leave blank.

Coming from an older template

The Changelog worksheet of the template lists every change, in short: Identifier is a new first column; the tonnes-only quantity column became Quantity and is no longer assumed to be tonnes; Measurement Unit is new and mandatory; Customs Value Currency is new and derived; and Customs Value is now required for companies registered for UK CBAM. Always download a fresh template from the upload dialog before you start; files with the old headers are rejected with a message naming the new template.

Practical Tips for Success

Ensure mandatory fields are always filled accurately before uploading; an Identifier is optional, but if you give one it must be unique.
Use correct two-letter ISO country codes only.
Verify that companies, suppliers, production facilities, and articles already exist in kolum with the exact identifiers you use.
State a Measurement Unit for every Quantity, and keep goods in kg or t and electricity in MWh.
Format all dates as YYYY-MM-DD.
Do not add extra spaces before or after entries.
Check your data to avoid upload rejections and rework; any invalid row holds back the whole file.

What's new

The imports template has a new first column, Identifier, which lets a re-upload update existing imports instead of duplicating them; leave it empty and kolum generates one for you. The amount is entered as Quantity plus a Measurement Unit (kg, t, or MWh for electricity), and a Customs Value Currency column follows the importing company's country. Download a fresh template before your next upload.

Glossary for Bulk Upload