Update on EU Customs Advanced Filing: Import Control System (ICS2)

The European Union, along with Switzerland and Norway, will implement a new customs cargo safety and security program, Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Release 3, starting June 3, 2024.

From this date, all sea freight shipments entering or transiting the EU27, Switzerland, Norway, and Northern Ireland must comply with new data filing requirements. Customs authorities in these regions will require advance filing of cargo information before vessel loading to address security and safety threats.

The program aims to support effective risk-based customs controls while facilitating the free flow of legitimate trade across external borders. Data on all goods entering these areas will be collected in advance, enabling early threat identification and timely customs interventions.

Economic operators transporting goods by sea and inland waterways, as well as logistics providers, must begin filing maritime shipments with the relevant customs authorities starting June 3, 2024. Forwarders wishing to file directly to the EU customs authorities can do so from December 4, 2024, onwards.

Key changes compared to the previous system include the implementation of house-level data filing and the requirement for information about the buyer and seller of the cargo.

Specific data elements required are:

• Six-digit HS code plus a complete and accurate cargo description
• CUS code for harmless and DG chemicals (if included in the European Customs Inventory of Chemical Substances)
• UCR number (if available)
• EORI of the consignee established in the EU (if assigned)
• EORI of the supplementary declarant (self-filer)
• Buyer and seller data for all cargo destined for the EU, applicable to both house B/L and straight B/Ls
• House-level data for FROB cargo with destinations outside the EU or EU goods onboard a vessel during a port call outside the EU
• For freight forwarders planning to arrange their own house-level filings, the deployment window is from December 4, 2024, to April 1, 2025.

 Further updates on the EU Customs Advanced Filing will be provided as needed.

 Source & Additional information:

Import Control System 2 - Release 3 - European Commission (europa.eu)

 For comments or questions, please reach out to your contact.

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