Automated verification system for customs and sustainability data of industrial liquid bulk packaging

Description

Title MODULAR AUTOMATED VERIFICATION SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMS AND SUSTAINABILITY DATA OF INDUSTRIAL LIQUID BULK PACKAGING Technical field The present invention falls within the field of customs and sustainability verification in the logistics sector, and more specifically within automated systems and methods for collecting, processing and verifying data of industrial bulk packaging intended for liquid bulk applications. State of the art International trade makes use of various industrial bulk packaging for liquid bulk transport and storage, including Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs), drums, ISO tank containers, bulk containers, rail tank cars, road tank containers and gas cylinders. These packaging types are used in particular for (petro)chemical products, pharmaceutical liquids and foodstuffs. The sensor modules and communication modules can be housed in a robust industrial enclosure with a protection rating of, for example, IP67 or higher.For applications in explosive environments, the module can be manufactured with ATEX certification. As a result, the components are resistant to moisture, dust, extreme temperatures, and chemically aggressive vapors, ensuring reliable operation in severe outdoor conditions. The processing of data regarding the contents and status of such packaging is usually carried out manually or via partially automated systems. This leads to: - susceptibility to errors during manual entry of customs and durability data, - delays in the supply chain, - limited traceability, making deviations difficult to detect, BE2025 / 0095 2 - poor integration between sensor data and customs documents, 30 - susceptibility to fraud, because entered data can be manipulated without objective verification based on independent sensor data. Benefits of the invention - Main objective: reliable verification of input data using objective sensor data.-Audit-proof provision of validated data to authorities and customers. 35 -Strong reduction of susceptibility to fraud, because manipulation of input without matching sensor values ​​can be detected immediately. -Capacity for detection and registration of seal breakages and opening status with location, time, and duration. -Measurement of fill status and automatic comparison with manifest data. 40 -Data storage in audit-proof structures with digital signatures, hash functions, and blockchain registration. -Optional report generation and document creation. -Specific applicability to liquid bulk packaging in petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food. -Expandable with an excise verification module for ethanol and similar products. 45-The use of digital signatures, hash functions and blockchain has the technical effect that the integrity of the data can be guaranteed throughout the entire lifecycle of the packaging. This makes manipulation by third parties technically impossible without detectable traces.The linking of real-time sensor data to the DPP also results in improved interoperability with external customs and ERP systems, which provides a direct technical advantage over purely administrative methods. The data processing platform can structure the validated data in accordance with international supply chain standards such as GS1 and EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services). This facilitates seamless integration with existing ERP, TMS, and WMS systems of trading partners and customs authorities, ensuring compatibility with global logistics and traceability chains. Further explanation Digital Product Passport (DPP)(26): In one implementation form, the data processing platform is further configured to generate a Digital Product Passport (DPP) for every package or container.This DPP acts as a digital twin BE2025 / 0095 3 of the packaging contains structured fields that are automatically populated with real-time sensor data, including but not limited to temperature, pressure, fill status, weight, ethanol or vapor concentrations, presence of denaturants, seal-break / opening status, fill status, location and time information, and calculated CO2 footprint in accordance with GRI standards. This data is recorded in an audit-compliant manner using digital signatures, hash functions, and blockchain registration, thereby ensuring authenticity and integrity. 65 In addition, the DPP can include sector-specific modules, such as an excise verification module (HS code verification, mass and density control), or a pre-cargo compatibility module (FOSFA lists and industry guidelines). The DPP is generated per package (asset-level) and can be directly linked to customs and excise systems, including but not limited to 70 national and international customs systems such as IC52, EMCS, AES or CHIEF / CDS, as well as to ERP / TMS / WMS partner systems.Furthermore, the DPP can be exported in interoperable reporting formats such as XBRL, XML or ESRS compatible structures. This makes the DPP not merely an administrative passport, but a technically generated and verifiable data object that ensures traceability, conformity, durability and transparency at the packaging level. A schematic overview of these data flows and the connection with the DPP is shown in Figure 3. Description of the invention The invention provides an automated system and method for verifying customs and durability data of industrial liquid bulk packaging. The system comprises: - At least one sensor module (1) integrated in or attached to a bulk packaging, designed to measure physical and / or chemical parameters, such as quantity or weight, volume, pH, temperature, pressure, gas concentrations, humidity, location, opening status, filling status and cargo type.-A communication module (2), suitable for wireless transmission of measurement data, which can use NB-IoT, LTE-M, LoRaWAN, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy or satellite communication. In one version the communication module can be multi-mode and offer support for SIM or SIM with worldwide roaming. This allows the system to automatically switch between mobile networks (NB-IoT, LTE-M, 5G) and satellite communication depending on signal coverage. This guarantees reliable data transmission, even during intercontinental transport or in remote areas with limited infrastructure.-A data processing platform(3) configured to: automatically verify 95*entered data by means of sensor data point information by comparing entered parameters with measured values; "compare the filling status with the provided manifest data or customs documentation(4); *store validated data in an audit-proof manner using digital signature, cryptographic hash functions and / or blockchain registration(6); 100*make the validated data available for verification by customers, logistics partners or authorized authorities via a secure interface or system link(27); *optionally generate electronic reports or customs documents(25). *generate a Digital Product Passport (DPP)(26). 105An example of such a system is shown in Figure 1. Seal break and opening status The sensor module can be equipped with seal break and opening detection(10), designed to record the opening or breaking of a closure or seal of the packaging.The following information is recorded: -the exact location (GPS), -the time (timestamp) of opening and closing, -the duration of the opening. The workflow of such seal break detection is shown in Figure 2. The data processing platform links this information to the identification of the packaging for verification purposes and can generate an automatic alarm notification in the event of deviations or unauthorized actions(13). The notification system can send notifications to customers, logistics partners or 120 competent authorities(13). BE2025 / 0095 5 The alarm notifications can be sent in real time to authorized parties via multiple communication channels, including secure API connections, mobile applications, SMS, email or integrated notifications in customs platforms. This ensures that deviations are immediately detected and followed up. The data processing platform can be realized in a scalable cloud architecture that can process thousands to millions of data packets simultaneously.For audit-proof storage, use can be made of a lightweight blockchain structure or hash anchoring, whereby the summarizing hash values ​​are periodically recorded in a public blockchain. This offers an efficient balance between scalability and immutability. For enhanced data security, the sensor module can transmit measurement data end-to-end encrypted using cryptographic algorithms such as AES-256 or elliptical-curve cryptography. Authentication of the communication flow can take place via digital certificates or key management by a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Only authorized parties possess the correct key to decrypt and verify the data, thereby guaranteeing the confidentiality and integrity of the data. In one implementation form, the sensor module is equipped with an autonomous power supply.This can be realized with a long-life lithium battery with a lifespan of several years, optionally combined with energy harvesting techniques such as solar cells, vibration energy, or thermal energy. Alternatively, inductive charging during logistical operations can be applied. This allows the sensor module to function for a long time without frequent battery replacement. In one design form, the sensor module is equipped with local buffer memory. If the wireless connection is temporarily unavailable, the measurement data is securely stored in the module itself. As soon as the connection is restored, the data is automatically forwarded to the data processing platform (store-and-forward mechanism). This prevents measurement data from being lost in the event of communication failure and guarantees the completeness of the dataset. BE2025 / 0095 6 The sensor module can be equipped with excise product verification, in particular for ethanol. This module can be added when verification of excise classifications and HS codes is required.155 The module can measure or analyze one or more of the following parameters: -ethanol vapor concentration (ppm) and temperature, -denaturant markers in the vapor (methanol, acetone, tert-butanol or other additives), -vapor dynamics (breathing patterns and ppm decay), 160 -mass and density verification by comparing container weight with manifest volume, -slosh signature via accelerometry (distinguishing bulk liquid versus bottled packaging), -thermo / hygro profile of the (headspace) free space between the liquids and the closure of a container. 165 For reliable measurement, the sensor module can be equipped with automatic or manual calibration procedures. The data processing platform can apply correction algorithms based on reference data, compensating for variations in temperature conditions, sensor aging, or pressure differences. This guarantees consistent and accurate measurement results under real-world conditions.170 Optionally, the module may further be equipped with (15): -mini-GC or Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) for the detection of denaturation components in print concentrations, -vision / OCR modules for packaging type and label recognition, 175-linking with X-ray Bate infrastructure for the analysis of packaging patterns. The data processing platform may combine all the data thus obtained into a plausibility score with which entered classifications (e.g. HS2207 versus HS2208) are verified. An example of the excise verification module is shown in Figure 4. 180 BE2025 / 0095 185Execution examples In execution examples, an Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) can be equipped with an integrated sensor module in the screw cap. For vessels or drums, the sensor module can be placed in the closure or cap. For ISO tank containers, the module can be integrated in the manhole cover or the shut-off valve, while for rail tank cars, integration can take place in the manhole or valve assembly 190. For gas cylinders, the sensor module can be incorporated into the valve or tap assembly.In this way, a concrete implementation is provided for each packaging type that supports the same verification functions and thereby demonstrates the broad applicability of the invention. 195 Brief description of the figures Figure 1 shows an overview block diagram of the system with the sensor module, communication module and the data processing platform. Figure 2 shows a workflow of the seal-break detection with registration and notification process. Figure 3 shows a workflow of the data flow between the sensor module, data processing platforms and Digital Product Passport (DPP).