“Stricter Customs regulations” from the EU’s ICS2 will see “stricter enforcement”, Hapag-Lloyd has warned, and European forwarders “have encountered significant challenges”.
From tomorrow, 1 April, the EU is ramping-up its Import Control System 2 (ICS2) – an advance cargo information system designed to improve supply chain security – on requirements for all non-EU imports.
It will become mandatory for all house-level filers (freight forwarders, importers, ground handling agents, etc) to connect to ICS2 and submit entry summary declarations (ENS), filings for shipments they handle.
The pre-arrival Customs process will also now apply to all transport modes, including road and rail, in addition to the existing air, maritime, and inland waterway requirements.
Nicolette van der Jagt, director general of forwarders’ association CLECAT, told The Loadstar European freight forwarders had “diligently prepared”.
“However,” she added, “despite preparation, freight forwarders have encountered significant challenges.
“Technical complexities have posed considerable obstacles, particularly regarding system integration and compatibility with new ICS2 requirements. The level of support from national authorities’ help desks has often been insufficient, or delayed, complicating efforts for timely compliance.
“Also, freight forwarders choosing to perform single filings with shipping lines have faced further operational difficulties, including the absence of electronic messaging systems capable of transmitting house-level data to carriers,” Ms van der Jagt explained.
She noted that these “shortcomings” had resulted in delays, due to extended timelines enforced by carriers and, in some cases, operational disruption, including refusal to load cargo.
Indeed, tomorrow Hapag-Lloyd is introducing a “no movement reference number (MRN)–no load” policy. The carrier said: “Containers lacking an ENS declaration and MRN won’t be loaded at origin.
“The EU is enforcing even stricter customs regulations… full compliance with ENS will be mandatory, with stricter enforcement.”
Similarly, Maersk has introduced a “no manifest–no load” policy, where a missing ENS declaration for a container means it will not be loaded and will be shifted to the next available vessel.
And the carrier has asked customers to provide the necessary details “at least 48 hours prior to vessel arrival at a compliance load port”.
To avoid shipment delays or cancellations, Hapag-Lloyd told shippers to submit all required details by the document deadline and ensure all data is accurate, “as errors may prevent MRN issuance, causing delays or cancellations”.
Minor mistakes that could lead to a delay include using an incorrect phone number format, as non-standard phone numbers with symbols or letters cause processing errors. “Use only digits and follow the required format,” advised the German carrier.
Shippers must also ensure their EORI (economic operator’s registration and identification) number is correct and valid, to avoid Customs rejections. EORI number accuracy can be verified by the EU’s validation tool.
Non-compliant cargo descriptions, or HS [harmonised system] codes, can also delay clearance.
Ms van der Jagt added that registering as house-level filers with national customs authorities had also been challenging for forwarders, “with unclear instructions regarding deployment windows and difficulties in establishing effective communication with authorities”.
Difficulty sourcing reliable technical resources and IT service providers, too, has added to forwarder frustration, according to CLECAT, and the association urged the European Commission to publish a list of IT service providers registered for ICS2, similar to that of the UK’s HMRC.
“In some regions, such as France, forwarders face limited choices, with only two Customs-approved IT service providers available, and no information on potential new certified providers,” Ms van der Jagt told The Loadstar.
Source: By Charlotte Goldstone, The Loadstar
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