EU Customs – New Advanced Filing process ICS2 Implementation October 28, 2024

The majority of our Customers are already providing the enhanced data required for compliance and their cargoes should move without complications, however, any Customers failing to provide the additional data listed below should expect their shipments to experience delays until the data is provided.

To remind Customers here is some brief information for your guidance and awareness:

The process of advance manifesting allows for pre-arrival safety and security checks that support effective risk-based customs controls whilst enabling the free flow of permitted trade. The new regulations will involve changes to the existing Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) that are submitted for all deep sea and short sea cargo that either discharges or transships at EU member states as well as all cargo that remains on board, otherwise referred to as FROB (freight remaining on-board). Due to potential variances in vessel scheduling and the requirement for ICS2 clearance at most discharge ports, ACL will apply these regulations to all E/B shipments regardless of destination including UK.

Going forward ICS2 will allow the ENS transmission from either the carrier, freight forwarder or consignee and by early next year, Customers will be able to file their own house bill of ladings (HBL) linked to the Carrier Master bill.

Customers will need to provide more detailed information for inclusion in the new ENS, some of the changes will involve the provision of:

• 6-digit HS Code for each commodity
• Complete and accurate cargo descriptions Link
• Detailed and concise Document Party addresses (*see note)
• EORI number for Consignee established in the EU Link
• Buyer and Seller data (not required for FROB cargo discharging outside of the EU)

ICS2 also introduces a new step in the approval process, upon successful transmission and approval of the ENS the declarant will receive a new status “Assessment Complete” (AS). Note that only cargo that has received this status can be loaded on board the carrying vessel.

Any cargo not loaded due to missing “Assessment Complete” status prior to commencement of vessel operations will be subject to demurrage as applicable per ACL’s tariff filings.

We strongly recommend that you prepare for the new regulations and ensure that you have all the necessary information required to submit compliant shipping instructions.

You can find out more on the EU website via the link below:
Import Control System 2 – Release 3 – European Commission (europa.eu)

The following link provides information regarding the multiple filing of an export summary declaration ( ENS)
ICS2, import control system 2 – Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)

Note: ICS2 requires the following data elements for all shipment parties: (Shipper, Consignee, Notifies).

• Business Name (**only 1 party allowed)
• Street Name Line 1 (mandatory unless PO Box is provided)
• Street Name Line 2 (optional)
• House Number (mandatory unless PO Box is provided)
• PO Box (mandatory unless House Number is provided)
• City (mandatory)
• Postal Code/ZIP (mandatory)
• Country (mandatory)

**Please note that the bill of lading party fields can only contain the detail of one entity so the use of “care of (c/o) ”, “trading as” or “on behalf of “ etc. is not permitted.

Please ensure that all information is submitted in your shipping instructions.