The European Union (EU) has announced a significant overhaul of its customs procedures for cargoes entering the region, with a new system set to take effect from June 3, 2024. This change, part of the region’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2), will impact sea, rail, and road imports, requiring traders to provide comprehensive data on goods prior to their arrival in the EU.
Under this new policy, importers will be obligated to submit a complete Entry Summary Declaration (ENS), ensuring that all necessary safety and security information is provided well in advance. This requirement is already in place for air transportation of goods and will now extend to maritime, inland waterways, road, and rail carriers.
The EU emphasized the importance of this change, noting that it is the third release of the new system. It mandates that all transportation modes disclose safety and security data, including postal and express carriers and other logistics providers. In certain cases, final consignees established in the EU will also need to submit ENS data to ICS2.
To facilitate a smooth transition to these new requirements, the EU has strongly advised traders to prepare in advance to avoid delays and non-compliance. Businesses will need to collect accurate and complete data from their clients, update their IT systems and operational processes, and ensure their staff is adequately trained.
The EU has also set a timeline for traders to connect to ICS2. A self-conformance test has been available since December 11, 2023, allowing traders to verify their ability to exchange messages with customs authorities. Member States will authorize traders to connect to ICS2 within specific deployment windows, spanning from June 2024 to September 2025, depending on the mode of transport.
Failure to comply with these new regulations will result in goods being stopped at EU borders and not cleared by customs authorities. This stringent approach underlines the EU’s commitment to enhancing the security and efficiency of its trade and customs operations.
With Release 1, implemented from March 15, 2021, postal and express consignments entering the EU by air were already subject to a pre-loading advance cargo information (PLACI) subset. The expansion of these requirements to other modes of transport marks a significant step in the EU’s ongoing efforts to modernize and secure its trade processes.
This new trade policy is expected to have far-reaching implications for global trade, especially for businesses involved in importing goods into the EU. It highlights the EU’s proactive stance in adapting to the evolving demands of international trade and security.
As the June 2024 deadline approaches, traders and logistic providers across the globe are urged to familiarize themselves with the new requirements and make necessary preparations. The EU’s move is reflective of a broader global trend towards more regulated and data-driven trade practices, aiming to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in international commerce.
In conclusion, the EU’s new cargo import policy represents a critical development in global trade regulation. By requiring pre-arrival data submission, the EU is not only safeguarding its borders but also setting new standards in trade security and efficiency. As businesses and governments adapt to these changes, the impact of this policy will become increasingly evident in the global trading landscape.
