FIATA and GSF Push for Better Data Quality ahead of EU’s ICS2 – 2024 Deadline!
The International forwarders’ federation FIATA and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) have jointly called for improved data quality and information exchange in preparation for the European Union’s new Import Control System 2 (ICS2) set to be introduced for sea, road, and rail transport by 2024 and 2025. The aim of the measure is to provide EU security authorities with enhanced information about incoming or transiting freight.
Already applied to airfreight, mail, and express parcel shipments starting in 2023, ICS2 will be expanded to imports via maritime and inland waterway carriers from 3 June, from 4 December 2024 to 1 April 2025 for shippers or forwarders, and from 1 April 2025 to 1 September 2025 for road and rail carriers according to the European Union’s schedule. The implementation of ICS2 for airfreight and express in 2023 revealed various issues with airline and other IT systems, leading to extensions in the timeline for other modes.
FIATA and GSF have issued a joint Guidance Note emphasizing the necessity of cooperation between shippers and freight forwarders to ensure the timely and efficient submission of high-quality information. The Note also includes practical checklists for the submission of information by shippers and freight forwarders.
In the future, ICS2 will encompass all shipments from third countries entering or transiting the EU via any mode of transport, including sea, road, rail, air, and express. Shippers and forwarders will be required to provide more detailed information about each consignment by completing an Entry Summary Declaration. This information must be presented to the carrier, import agent, authorized freight forwarder, or directly to the ICS2 system by a specified time before the goods are loaded or reach the EU border, depending on the mode of transport and journey type. Failure to comply may lead to delays and enforcement actions by EU authorities.
Notification requirements under ICS2 are more stringent compared to previous EU import regulations. Goods will need to be declared in line with the Combined Nomenclature using customs Harmonised System (HS) definitions for more precise identification of specific products. Carriers will be held legally responsible as declarants for the data provided under the new system, including the HS code, EORI number of the consignee in the EU, as well as information about the buyer and seller of the goods.
