As you would no doubt be aware the European Union (EU) will soon mandate requirements for electronic pre arrival reporting and for the Customs Entry Summary Declaration (ENS). The system has been in operation since July 2009 but as of January 1, 2011, will be mandatory. The arriving carrier (Airline or Shipping Line) will be the reporting entity, unless a Forwarder has registered and received approval from the EU authorities to be a direct reporting economic operator.

The Entry Summary Declaration (ENS), submitted within the nominated deadline, will enable the customs authorities to carry out a risk analysis before arrival of the cargo.

AFIF has been in regular communication with FIATA the world freight forwarder body and locally with all the major software suppliers to industry to ascertain how they are planning to upgrade their product offerings in readiness for our members to meet the requirements of the EU Customs Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) as part of new import and export security reporting, to be mandatory from January 1, 2011. (SEE BELOW)

As the primary reporting responsibility rests with the inbound EU carrier (Airline or Shipping Line) and whilst there are direct forwarder reporting options, we envisage that few freight forwarders would be 'direct reporters' into EU Customs and therefore utilising the carrier reporting system.

• In the case of Aircargo long-haul, the information must be lodged at a minimum of no more than 4 hours before arrival at the first European Community (EC) airport. Software system providers will need to ensure that Version 16 of the FBL and Version 4 of the FHL message facilitation is available for users as there are requirements for additional detailed information above and beyond current US and other country pre arrival reporting requirements.
  
  
• For Seacargo, the documentation closing times are similar to other "advance manifest" 24 Hour Rules for shipments to locations such as USA, Canada or Mexico.

  The transmission of ENS is mandatory for all cargo to be discharged in an EU port (including trans-shipment cargo) as well as FROB cargo (Foreign Cargo Remaining on Board), i.e. cargo which is discharged in a port outside the EU after the vessel has called at an EU port. To enable the submission of an ENS, the Carrier will require the following information in your shipping instructions:

  • Full name and address of consignor and consignee (Full name and address of notify
    Party where goods are carried under a negotiable "to order" B/L
  • Container number; Goods description (general terms for example "consolidated cargo" or "general cargo" cannot be accepted)
  • The HS code; Number and type of packages; Shipping marks; Cargo gross weight; Seal number
  • UN dangerous goods code where applicable

Attached are some documents which may be of additional interest and below is the direct link into the EU Customs information Portal about the new ENS system.

FIATA MMI Circular re ENS Ocean

IATA Cargo IMP changes

http://ec.europa.eu/ecip/security_amendment/index_en.htm

It is pleasing to note that all of our major industry software providers have advised that they are working on the software upgrades to be ready in time for the implementation date of January 1, 2011.

In summary:

CargoWise: is adapting the current Forwarding Instruction documents to provide all information required for the ENS lodgement. ediEnterprise users will be able to send this document to any carrier (Air or Sea). These changes will be available in all Releases in time for the proposed implementation date. Consideration has also been given to Air and Ocean Carrier Messaging to ensure that they are in line with requirements for ICS.

As part of on-going compliance initiatives CargoWise will continue to assess ENS/ICS regulations to ensure that ediEnterprise customers are able to meet carrier requirements. Further requirements are being assessed by the Product Management team and will be communicated both internally and externally as developed.

Cyber Freight (HiTech Frt Solutions): Have an update for the new FWB message standard. Currently being released to all of their clients.

Civica: Preparing to develop upgrades to software and will communicate with users to ascertain requirements.

Expedient (Millman): Will have latest version available for its clients.

If in doubt, please contact your software provider for further updates

Regards