Industry Information
EU Regulation 1875/2006 Import Control System
We would like to inform you about the pre-arrival filing provisions for all EU bound cargo on aircraft or vessels which becomes a legal obligation as of 1st January 2011.
ICS (Import Control System) is the electronic security declaration system for the importation of goods into the European Union.
Air and Ocean Carriers are responsible to transmit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to the first EU Customs entry point considering the following time limits:
| Long haul flights (more than 4 hours): | 4 hours prior to arrival at the first EU- Airport |
| Short haul flights (less than 4 hours); | latest actual take-off |
| Deep sea container transport; | 24 hours before loading |
| Short sea container transport; | 2 hours before arrival at the first EU port |
| Bulk/break bulk; | 4 hours before arrival at the first EU port |
For Air, this applies for all cargo import and transit in an EU airport as well as for freight remaining on board (FROB). For Ocean, this applies to all cargo discharged in an EU port (including transhipments) as well as for foreign cargo remaining on board (FROB).
Within the scope or ICS, Norway and Switzerland are going to adopt the same rule.
Air / Ocean carriers will transmit one single ENS per Master Airwaybill / Bill of Lading. Upon receipt, a risk assessment is applied on the ENS data. Identified risks are structured as follows:
| Risk Type A: | Do not load (applies for deep sea container traffic only) |
| Risk Type B: | Examination of the shipment at the first point of entry |
| Risk Type C: | Examination of the shipment at the port of discharge |
To ensure that the ENS is filed in due time, air carriers will require complete shipment data prior to loading. For ocean, the carriers will require complete shipment data 48-72 hours prior to loading.
Therefore it is essential that you send the following data elements to your DB Schenker office as early as possible and within the time frame provided by your DB Schenker booking office:
| For Airfreight | For Ocean freight |
| Number of packages | Number of packages |
| Cargo gross weight | Cargo gross weight |
| Goods description | Goods description |
| At least 4 digits of the HTS Code | At least 4 digits of the HTS Code |
| UN dangerous goods code (if applicable) | Container number (for FCL shipments) |
| Shipper information-detailed address | Seal number (for FCL shipments) |
| Consignee information –detailed address data | UN dangerous goods code (if applicable) |
| Destination | |
| SLAC Count (Shipper Load & Count) | |
| Payment code (pp or cc) |
The new rule requires considerable investments in IT infrastructure and new processes have to be established. Therefore an ENS filing fee will come into effect. These costs as well as potential costs in relation to risk types B and C (terminal handling customs examination) have to be passed on to the owner of the goods.
We will keep you informed about the Import Control System and any associated additional costs in due time. For further information please contact your local DB Schenker office.
Last modified: 30.01.2012