The European Union has gone on to launch the second phase when it comes to its import control system, ICS2. It is a new and advanced cargo information system as well as a risk management platform to protect against safety and security threats from goods that enter the EU.
It is well to note that from March 1 onwards, all aircraft carriers, freight forwarders, postal operators, and express couriers that are involved in the transportation of goods via air to or through the EU have to provide a complete Entry Summary Declaration as far as the goods are concerned, prior to the goods’ arrival at the EU external border.
This must be done through the ICS2 system, which is slowly but surely replacing the existing Import Control System- ICS between 2021 and 2024.
Air carriers that are currently filling the advanced cargo data in the ICS are all set to completely phase out of the system as soon as the data starts getting inserted into ICS2.
The second phase of ICS2 put forth new information requirements as well as processes to be complied with before transporting the goods from a third country and prior to their arrival at the EU’s external border.
Any failure by affected economic operators when it comes to obtaining necessary data from clients and inserting it in ICS2 will lead to necessary actions being taken by the customs to enforce compliance before landing or on arrival.
In cases where the operators aren’t ready to comply, they have to furnish a request to start filing ICS2 at a subsequent date, but that has to take place within the time limited deployment window.
This ought to be done through the member state where the EORI number is registered. The deployment number, once granted, lets the economic operator be functionally ready for ICS2’s unveiling after March 1.
In order to make sure that the transition happens to be smooth from Release 1 to Release 2, so as to facilitate trade operations, the deployment window shall be aligned across all the member states. Apparently, the member states are allowed to give a deployment window until October 2 this year.
If in case economic operators aren’t prepared by the set deadline and are not able to share the required data under the ICS2 system, freight and consignments shall be halted at the EU borders and the goods shall not get clearance by the customs authorities.
