FIATA and Global Shippers Forum call for Enhancing Data Quality and Information Exchange for EU ICS2 Requirements
Geneva, 13 March 2024 – Shippers and forwarding organisations are calling for enhanced data quality and information exchange globally to facilitate the effective implementation of regulatory changes brought by the European Union's Import Control System 2 (ICS2) regime, which will take effect for sea, road, and rail transportation in 2024 and 2025. The guidance will also be relevant for other emerging pre-loading advance cargo information (PLACI) regimes around the world.
FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) have jointly issued an agreed "Guidance Note on Enhancing Data Quality and Information Exchange for the EU ICS2 Regime", which underscores the crucial role of collaboration between shippers and freight forwarders in submitting high-quality data throughout the supply chain to ensure compliance with PLACI requirements in an efficient and timely manner.
Key considerations to note are that:
• ICS2 will now cover all shipments entering or transiting the EU by sea, road, and rail transport, with air transport requirements already fully implemented in 2023.
• Shippers and forwarders exporting to the EU Customs Territory are now responsible for providing more detailed information about each consignment.
• Information must be presented to the carrier, the import agent, or an authorised freight forwarder, or submitted directly to the ICS2 system by a specified time before the goods are loaded or arrive at the EU border (depending on the mode of transport and type of journey).
• Failure to provide the required information, in the right level of detail and by the specified deadline, may result in delays and enforcement actions by EU authorities.
This document specifically addresses shippers, consignors, and freight forwarders involved in goods entering or transiting the EU Customs Territory by air, sea (from June 2024), or road and rail transport (from April 2025). FIATA and GSF emphasise the significance of data quality, accurate goods descriptions, and Harmonised Commodity Codes (HS Codes).
The Guidance Note also provides practical Checklists for the submission of essential information for the EU ICS2 for shippers and freight forwarders.
FIATA continues to support its members and invites you to review the attached Guidance Note and ensure your organisations are well-prepared for these upcoming changes. Compliance with the ICS2 requirements is essential to prevent delays and potential enforcement actions by EU customs authorities.
Please visit the European Commission’s website for more information here.
For further information, please contact the FIATA or GSF Headquarters:
FIATA
[email protected]
Global Shippers Forum
[email protected]
About FIATA
FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations is a non-governmental, membership-based organisation representing freight forwarders in some 150 countries. FIATA’s membership is composed of 114 Associations Members and more than 6,000 Individual Members, overall representing an industry of 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms worldwide. Based in Geneva, FIATA is ‘the global voice of freight logistics' www.fiata.org
About GSF
The Global Shippers Forum (www.globalshippersforum.com) is the global business organisation speaking up for exporters and importers as cargo owners in international supply chains and trade procedures. Its members are national and regional shippers’ associations representing hundreds of manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing businesses in over 20 countries across five continents. GSF works for safe, competitively efficient, and environmentally sustainable global trade and logistics.
FIATA Media Contact
Amanda Stock
[email protected]
GSF Media Contact
Maria Udy
[email protected]
DISCLAIMER
This paper was compiled by the FIATA and GSF secretariats and reflects their discussions and collaborative work on this topic. This document is NOT to be construed as providing any legal advice. FIATA and GSF recommend that readers seek independent legal advice if they have any questions on dealing with their specific circumstances.
This guidance is intended to provide a set of considerations on this subject, and FIATA and GSF accept no responsibility for the consequences of the use of the information contained in this document, which may be periodically updated.