Updated on 31 January, 2023 Author: Anna Cesar – Manager, Regulatory Compliance EMEA

Effective March 1, 2023, Economic Operators will need to submit cargo information, including the 6-digit Harmonized Commodity Codes, prior to shipment arrival in EU.

The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the EU new Customs security and safety program that aims to reinforce Customs risk management and to provide an extra layer of security to the existing civil and aviation security requirements.

Air carriers will have to declare safety and security data to ICS2, through the Entry Summary Declaration, of all inbound goods with origin in a third (non-EU) country with destination or transit in the EU, including Switzerland, Norway and Northern Ireland.

For shippers and importers, the ICS2 means a greater push for commercial documents to be completed with appropriate and clear product descriptions and especially valid Harmonized Commodity codes, as HS codes will be required to be added to the AWB and HAWB level.

Although only effective in March, most airlines will start implementing the AWB and HAWB requirement by February in order to give freight forwarders and traders enough time to adjust to the new requirements without the pressure of the mandate.

In order to guarantee a smooth transition, traders should review their inbound EU and transit lanes to confirm all the invoices used are in compliance with the requirement.

Please contact our Marken team at tradecompliance@marken.com if you have any questions, or view the original source here