EU ICS2 - Guidance Note on Enhancing Data Quality and Information Exchange for the EU ICS2 regime

Thursday, March 14, 2024

The *Global Shippers Forum (GSF) and International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) have called 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.

GSF and FIATA have produced a guidance note to assist ensure shippers, consignors, and freight forwarders involved in goods entering or transiting the EU Customs Territory are well-prepared for these upcoming changes.

New requirements for the advance notification of shipments of goods entering or transiting the EU Customs Territory (EUCT) take effect during 2024 and 2025. The ICS2 is being implemented for all shipments entering the EU by sea, road and rail transport. Requirements for shipments arriving by air were fully implemented during 2023.

The GSF and FIATA emphasise the importance of collaboration between shippers and freight forwarders to ensure the submission of high-quality data throughout the supply chain, especially for advance cargo information regimes like ICS2, in order to facilitate cost-effective and timely compliance whilst strengthen global aviation, maritime, road and rail transport security standards.

This document emphasises the importance of data quality, underlines the necessity for accurate goods description and Harmonised Commodity Codes (HS Codes), and provides guidelines for the submission of essential information for the ICS2. This document addresses shippers, consignors and freight forwarders of goods that will enter or transit the EU Customs Territory by air, by sea (from June 2024) or by road or rail transport (from April 2025).

More information and access to the Guidance Note are available HERE (member login required)

*Note: Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) are Australia's representative to the Global Shipper's Forum (GSF).

Tom Jensen - Head of International Freight & Logistics - FTA | APSA