Overview

ICS stands for ‘Import Control System’. This is the electronic security screening system for goods destined to, or in transit through, the European Union (EU*), Switzerland & Norway. ICS2 is the enhanced EU security screening system with improved data-driven customs security processes. It is being implemented in release phases defined by the EU Authorities. For more details about ICS2, please visit the European Commission website.

ICS 2 - Release 1

March 15th 2021

Security screening of air shipments prior to loading of cargo on planes at the country of departure.

ICS 2 - Release 2

March 1st 2023

Security screening of air shipments prior to loading of cargo on planes at the country of departure, and pre-arrival of goods into (or transiting via) the European Union, Switzerland & Norway.

Impact

The most significant change applicable with ICS2 - Release 2, is that pre-arrival security filing messages must be submitted to European Country Customs Authorities in a much more granular level. Without a detailed goods description per commodity (on line item level), and the respective Harmonized System (HS) code, the shipment security filing cannot be submitted on time. Therefore, our carrier partners rely on high quality electronic Commercial/Proforma Invoice data from the Customer to be able to meet the legal requirements and timelines.

How Can Shippers Avoid Delays?

In order to avoid delays, it is important that shippers provide complete and accurate Commercial / Proforma Invoice line item data electronically, with high-quality information. Among others, the two most critical data elements to ensure a smooth security filing & customs clearance at import are:

1. Line Items Goods Description

Please provide accurate commodities description, using detailed, precise & plain language, with sufficient details about the nature of goods.

• The detailed description per commodity should indicate what the goods are, for which purpose the goods are used and what they are made of – for example: “Women’s T-shirts made of 100% Cotton”

• Avoid generic goods descriptions such as “gifts”, “samples”, “spare parts”, “equipment”, “clothes”, “textiles”, etc.

2. Line Items Harmonized System (HS) Code

Please include the respective Harmonized System (HS) Code (at least the first 6 digits) on line item for each of the different commodities.

• Preferably, indicate the complete Import Tariff Code of each commodity being shipped.

• The Harmonized System (HS) Code is defined by the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the 2022 HS Nomenclature edition is publicly available on the WCO website

The Commercial/Proforma Invoice data must be complete, available and compliant at the time of shipment booking for submission to Customs Authorities as early as possible.

* European Union (EU) countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

NOTE: Northern Ireland is considered an entry point to the European Union, therefore shipments to (or transiting via) Northern Ireland are also impacted, as well as shipments destined to (or transiting via) other EU territories (e.g. French Guyana, etc.)

DISCLAIMER

While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained herein has been obtained, produced and processed from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of such information. All information contained herein is provided on an”as is” basis.