EU Import Control System (ICS) will go live in all EU Member States

As of January 1, 2011, the EU Import Control System (ICS) will go live in all EU member states. From this date on, pre-arrival information such as Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) for shipments into the European Union must be provided electronically and on time. This applies to freight offloaded in the EU as well as to freight remaining on board (FROB) and carried on to airports outside the EU. If the required data is not provided, traders risks having goods delayed or their entry refused at the EU border.

EU legislation requires that the ENS shall be lodged by the person who brings the goods, or who resumes responsibility for the carriage of the goods into the customs territory of the EU. In order to comply with this regulation, airlines need to receive FWB and FHL messages from the forwarder.

To make sure these new EU requirements are met, IATA and FIATA recommend implementing the latest versions of the necessary CIMP messages allowing stakeholders to exchange the required information in a standard structured manner.

In detail the following messages and message versions are recommended:

• FWB message version 16
• FHL message version 4
• FFM message version 8

The FWB and FHL message versions contain the Other Customs Information (OCI) Reference line and hence, provide the airline all required information for ENS filing:

• Name and address of Shipper, Consignee and Notify Party including EORI numbers (Economic Operator Registration Identification – to be filled in OCI field) – if available
• A complete description of goods in compliance with EU guidelines
• United Nations Dangerous Goods (UNDG) Identifier Codes for specific shipments (to be filled in OCI field)
• In addition, Harmonized Commodity Codes according to standards of the World Customs Organization are recommended to be used by the shipper

Other FWB versions as of FWB/14 might also be acceptable. However, as explained FWB/16 supports more options in the OCI field.

FFM/8 on the other hand includes room for the Scheduled Arrival Time which is mandatory in the Entry Summary Declaration as well as the Arrival Notification (ARN). Other options are possible as well but may require more effort and possibly additional developments.

TRAXON provides various options for electronic data exchange to enable all supply chain participants to comply with ICS regulations:

• TRAXON EDI for host-to-host communication with more than 100 airlines
• TRAXON LINE, a software for forwarders which allows easy and efficient air cargo handling
• TRAXON AWB Data Capture, a web-based FWB and FHL data capture mask for registered users