Attention EU: Phase 2 of Import Control System 2 is coming online
Overview of changes in import control system regulations
From 1 March 2023, the second phase of the European Union's import Control System (ICS2), which will be used to check goods shipped by air to or through the EU, Switzerland and Norway, will be launched.
● ICS2 is the new and improved EU security screening system for cargo bound for (or in transit) * the EU, Switzerland and Norway. At present, ICS2 has been launched in three stages and gradually expanded in scope according to the definition of relevant EU institutions.
If you want to get more information about the ICS2, please visit the European commission website: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/general-information-customs/customs-security/ics2_en
* EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. Note: Northern Ireland is considered to be the point of entry to the EU and therefore goods destined for (or through) Northern Ireland and goods destined for (or through) other EU countries such as French Guiana will also be affected.
Influence:
- ICS2- The most important change in Phase 2 is that all cargo entering or transited through the EU, Switzerland and Norway by air will be required to submit more detailed security declaration information to European national customs authorities prior to arrival.
- Cargo security declaration information will not be submitted on time without a detailed description of each item (line item level) and entry/export HS code.
- Therefore, DHL Express requires customers to provide complete and accurate commercial invoice/proforma invoice information in the form of electronic data in order to meet legal requirements and guarantee shipping time.
How can the sender avoid delays?
To avoid delay, senders must provide complete and accurate commercial invoice/proforma invoice line item information in Electronic data form through DHL Express Electronic Shipping Solutions and ensure that the information is accurate. To ensure safe declaration and smooth import clearance, you need to provide the following three key data:
Item description
Use detailed, accurate, easy-to-understand language to describe the nature of the goods.
> A detailed description of each item should specify the name of the item, the use of the item, and the raw material - for example, "100% cotton women's T-shirt".
> Avoid general descriptions such as "gifts", "samples", "spare parts", "equipment", "clothing", "textiles", etc.
> For other acceptable descriptions of goods, please refer to the European Commission's guidance on Terms of Acceptable and Unacceptable Description of Goods: https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/union-customs-code/ucc-guidance-documents_en
Customs commodity (HS) code of each commodity
Please indicate the first six digits of the corresponding entry/exit HS code in the line item of each different product.
> It is advisable to indicate the complete HS code for each item.
> HS codes are defined by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The 2022 HS Coding Nomenclature is publicly available on the WCO website at: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/hs-nomenclature-2022-edition.aspx
Economic and Trade Operator Registration Identification Number (EORI)
Please provide a valid EORI number for the EU recipient when filling in the tax number field for the recipient of the commercial invoice.
> EORI consists of a simple national code plus a number (ranging from 7 to 15 digits). It is a necessary registration number for economic activities in the EU countries, especially for import and export trade enterprises.
> You can contact the EU recipient to obtain the EORI number to avoid shipment clearance delays.
Key points:
→ From 1 March 2023, all goods shipped by air to or through the European Union, Switzerland and Norway must have:
>> A detailed and accurate description of each item;
>> Top six HS codes;
>> EU Economic and Trade Operators Registration and Identification Number (EORI).
→ When booking space, commercial invoice/proforma invoice data must be complete, available and compliant so that it can be submitted to Customs authorities as soon as possible.
