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Comply with customs security requirements for the EU, Switzerland and Norway

Provide advance cargo data for risk assessment to avoid delays and interventions on sea shipments.

Understanding the purpose of ICS2

The European Union together with Switzerland and Norway, are implementing a new customs cargo safety and security program, underpinned by a large-scale advance cargo information system, the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Release 3.

From 3 June 2024, all sea freight shipments into or via the EU27, Switzerland, Norway as well as Northern Ireland will have to comply with new data filing requirements, based on which the involved states’ customs authorities will require an advance filling prior vessel loading to protect the market from security and safety threats.

Requirements for all sea freight shipments to or via the EU, Switzerland and Norway

The security and safety programme supports effective risk-based customs controls whilst facilitating free flow of legitimate trade across the external borders. Data is collected on all goods entering the mentioned countries in question prior to their arrival. Advance cargo information and risk analysis will enable early identification of threats and help customs authorities to intervene at the most appropriate point in the supply chain.

As of this date, economic operators carrying goods by sea and inland waterways, as well as other parties, such as logistic providers, will start filing maritime shipments with the states’ customs authorities, whereas forwarders who wish to file directly to the EU customs authorities, can do so from 4 December 2024 onwards.

Kuehne+Nagel is prepared for the implementation

Kuehne+Nagel has set up its IT systems and processes to comply with the new requirements of submitting the necessary data elements to the states’ customs authorities directly. You will benefit from receiving the security risk clearance early in the process, avoiding delays. Until self-filing is possible, Kuehne+Nagel will be sharing the mandatory data via EDI with the carriers to ensure seamless operations.

In parallel, Kuehne+Nagel is enhancing its electronic data interchange (EDI) connections and interfaces for its customers enabling data automation and accuracy.

ISC2 apply to all parties sending sea cargo from third countries to or through the countries mentioned above. Ensuring a smooth cargo flow without interruption to the supply chain is a joint effort and requires your active participation.

How to comply with the ICS2 requirements:

As a company conducting customs activities in the European Union, you need an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number from one of the EU Member states’ customs authorities. Please ensure that you share this EORI number, if applicable, with your shipper/seller.

As a shipper/seller sending cargo to the countries in scope, please ensure you obtain the EORI number of your consignee. For Switzerland, Norway and Northern Ireland, where no EORI is available, the VAT registration number may be provided.

Woman signing a document with a black pen.

For cargo transiting the countries in scope with destination outside the countries in scope, an EORI number is not required, although the shipment will be subject to ICS2 regulations.

Please include an accurate and meaningful goods description for each article of the consignment along with the corresponding Harmonized Commodity Code (HS Code, minimum first 6 digits). 
The necessary information above should be provided to your freight forwarder with immediate effect in addition to the shipment details you already share as part of your commercial documents and/or EDI messaging today. Submitting incorrect or inaccurate data, as well as missing data elements, could lead to:

  • Rejected declarations or customs intervention, with possible sanctions imposed for non-compliance

  • Consignments stopped or delayed at customs

  • Enhanced security screening

  • Shipment delays

FAQs about ICS2

Yes, even though Northern Ireland is part of the UK, it is in scope of ICS2/PLACI. Due to having a land border with the EU and because of the Northern Ireland protocol following Brexit, Northern Ireland is also part of the programme.

Yes, every single HS code and item description for all items that are part of a shipment have to be transmitted with the ICS2/PLACI filing.

The EU minimum requirement is the first six digits (unique globally). We use the HS codes provided by the shipper for filing. The import office adjusts to the local requirements for import clearance. However, for ICS2/PLACI filing, the HS codes provided by the shipper are used.

The requirement is that the description of the goods is in plain language and precise enough for customs to identify the goods.

An EORI number is only required if available. When a consignee is performing customs activities in the EU, can they request an EORI number from one of the member states’ customs authorities? If an EORI exists, it must be submitted. For transit- and trans-shipments, no consignee EORI is required.

For B2B, the consignee will have one EORI. For B2C, the rule is if the consignee receives more than five shipments per year, they will also need to register for an EORI.

Kuehne+Nagel can receive and submit 9999 HS code lines with item descriptions.