GET READY FOR ICS2
Within less than a year, economic operators including freight forwarders, will need to start declaring pre-arrival security and safety data to the new the new EU customs advance cargo information system - Import Control System 2.0 (ICS2). If you want to continue to move your goods into the EU, you need to be prepared for ICS2, which is approaching quickly.
ICS2 is the new IT system to collect data about all goods entering the EU prior to their arrival. Economic Operators will have to declare safety and security data to ICS2, through the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS). Whilst the obligation to file lies with the carrier, CLECAT has ensured the possibility for multiple filing, allowing the freight forwarder to provide the necessary House-level data to ICS2 without disclosing the data to the carrier. If you are a freight forwarder, submitting data to ICS2 is therefore an opportunity, but also a challenge.
General information on ICS2 and how to get prepared for it is available on the ICS2 Website, including a specific website for ICS2 Release 2. This includes, for example, a factsheet on the new requirements for bringing goods by air to or through the EU, as well as a factsheet for technical preparation. Another important resource on that website is the FAQ-section.
All relevant technical documentation to prepare for ICS2 Release 2 is available on the European Commission’s CIRCABC Website for ICS2 Release 2. It contains the Common Technical System Specifications (CTSS), and the Common Functional System Specifications (CFSS), which are essential for Economic Operators and IT Service Providers to prepare for ICS2. Furthermore, it contains all essential information regarding the self-conformance testing for EOs and ITSPs, including the Conformance Test Organisation Document (CTOD), conformance test cases and conformance test scenarios. Conformance testing, which was supposed to start on 1 July, has been postponed to 1 September due to delays in the technical delivery.
CLECAT continues to support members with their ongoing preparations for ICS2 Release 2 and Release 3 by providing advice and addressing any issues members raise directly to DG TAXUD, as well as sharing all relevant information and documentation.