EU begins new customs pre-arrival rule June 3 

The European Union (EU) says its new customs pre-arrival safety and security system for cargoes entering the region via sea, rail and road, will be introduced from June 3, 2024.

The new process is under the region’s import control system 2 (ICS2), the EU said in a statement on Monday.

According to the economic bloc, the new policy will require traders to provide data on goods sent to or through the region prior to their arrival.

The union said the new process, which applies to maritime and inland waterways, as well as road and rail in the region, will mandate importers to make a complete entry summary declaration (ENS).

This is the third release of its new system’s deployment, which would require all means of transportation to disclose safety and security data.

“Similar requirements already went into force for air transportation of goods.

“With this third release, maritime and inland waterways, road and rail carriers will also need to provide data on goods sent to or through the EU prior to their arrival, through a complete Entry Summary Declaration (ENS).

“The obligation also concerns postal and express carriers who transport goods using these modes of transport as well as other parties, such as logistics providers,” the EU said in a statement on Monday.

In certain circumstances, the EU said, final consignees established in the EU will also have to submit ENS data to ICS2.

The regional bloc “strongly advised” traders to prepare in advance for “Release 3 to avoid the risk of delays and non-compliance”.

“Affected businesses will be required to make sure they collect accurate and complete data from their clients, update their IT systems and operational processes, and provide adequate training to their staff,” the statement further said.

Traders were also required to complete a self-conformance test from “December 11, 2023” before connecting to ICS2, “to verify their ability to access and exchange messages with customs authorities”.