Import Control System (ICS)
As of 1 Jan. 2011, new EU regulations will come into force in order to analyse and control the risks of the cross-border movement of goods.
The EU regulations will be nationally implemented in each EU member state, as well as in Switzerland and Norway in the respective electronic customs systems. While there will be differences in the practical implementation, there will be a central EU database for the risk analysis operating in the background, so that varying results will not occur.
Requirements for (trans-)shipments into Europe, Switzerland and Norway
Changes on export side
In addition to the existing data which is already required for the creation of freight documents the following data has to be provided to the carriers which do on forward the data to the customs authorities:
- EORI number of the recipient (according to OBL / MAWB, either Logwin or recipient)
- 6-digit HS (HTS) code number
- Precise designation of the goods, no collective terms, English will initially be accepted for all EU countries (Download .pdf)
- Packaging code according to UN/ECE recommendation no. 21/Rev. 4; (Download .pdf)
The legal deadlines for notification will be dependent on transport means.
- Ocean freight: 24 hours prior to loading.
- Air freight: 4 hours prior to reaching the outer boundary of the EU.
- Intermodal: 1 hour prior to reaching the outer boundary of the EU.
In order to meet the notification periods, the carriers on location will introduce individual documentation deadlines. For example first ocean carriers have given us a deadline of 72 hours prior to the estimated departure. With respect to air cargo, we presume that the deadline "Prior to takeoff" will become established in due course. With your kind assistance, our branch offices at the respective points of departure will provide the carriers with the necessary information in a timely fashion in order that they can meet the deadlines named above. Failure to meet the legal deadlines for advanced notifications may result in dire consequences that cause the goods to be delayed or refused entry. Hence, we ask for your support to send the information promptly and in its entirety once the new regulations have been implemented. Please be aware that the carriers will implement an ICS fee to cover their disbursements.
Changes on import side
The advance notification data will not be used or drawn upon for other fiscal customs procedures. As soon as your goods have arrived in the EU and the risk analysis has been completed, we will carry out the customs processing unchanged and in accordance with your instructions. If you carry out your own customs procedures such as “simplified procedures” or other local clearance procedures with customs, these will not change as of 1 Jan. 2011 as a result.
Requirements for shipments ex Europe, Switzerland and Norway
When exporting from the EU, the electronic AES procedure has already been applied since 1 July 2009 within ATLAS EAS. When using the 1-step or 2-step export procedure, the conditions of the risk analysis are satisfied and changes for you as of 1 January 2011 are not anticipated.
