The new EU Import Control System (ICS2) to ensure security and safety will enter the next stage and will affect the import of maritime cargo from June. Every shipment from a third country are subject to the new system. Beginning on June 3, companies are expected to follow stricter standards set by ICS2 which has a final date of December 4 2024. Freight forwarders that wish to register their own shipment will be able to do so starting 4.12.2024.
“We recommend companies prepare early. A more precise and complete set of information will be needed. The participants must adhere to an intricate process (declaration of status, confirmations of status as well as queries from customs) and this is challenging for both technology implementation as well as integration with internal IT system. Follow-up protocols for customs are also to be followed for the purpose of avoiding error messages, and delays in logistics,” Explains DAKOSY authorized official Dirk Gladiator.
The precision of details required in ICS2 declarations of consignments for each individual has significantly increased. For the future, these details must be supplied including the full address of the consignee of origin as well as the consignee’s final address, the commodity code, in shape of 6-digit HSC code and the EORI (successor to the customs number at the EU levels) for the consignee. Gladiator says: “Shipowners and freight forwarders are expected to work closely together in order to comply with the more stringent requirements in terms of information. The shipping company will identify the item based on details from the booking or shipping instructions. Information at the goods items is usually provided by shipping forwarders.”
Multiple Filing safeguards against market competition The cooperation between freight forwarders and carriers freight forwarders under the ICS2 declaration is made more simple with a different form of declaration that is expanded – Multiple Filing. The transporter only transmits the essential information to the brand new EU system called the Shared Trade Interface (STI). The freight forwarder is then able to send all additional data in separate. Data is then combined in the STI for a complete view. Gladiator expects that “multiple file rate” will be extremely significant. Sharing information transmission helps to shield freight forwarders from competition because they are able to ensure that they are not required to share sensitive customer data.
The effects on logistics processes
Gladiator’s experiences with his experience with ICS2 in the air cargo industry has brought out a crucial aspect: “It is essential that forwarders and carriers look at the whole process of importation rather than focusing on the effects of ICS2. To successfully complete the customs follow-up process, for instance, NCTS or import declarations The information needs to be accessible at the goods items level. Then, the reference to ICS2 succeed in completing. If not, automatic cancellations as well as delays are likely to occur.”
More information is available here: 
Katrin Woywod
Port of Hamburg
Tel. : +49 (40) 37003320
Email: woywod@dakosy.de