ICS2: important shipping changes to be aware of
ICS2: important shipping changes to be aware of
What you need to know
The European Union (EU) is strengthening safety and security at customs for its citizens through a large-scale information system called Import Control System 2 (ICS2) and we will need to provide additional information about your shipments to the authorities. Due to this, we are asking you to ensure you provide these details for each shipment.
Import Control System 2 (ICS2)
The EU’s security enhancements are being supported by a large-scale information system.
What it means for you
1st March 2023
All goods being shipped into or transiting through* the EU** or Northern Ireland, Norway and Switzerland by air will need to have:
A minimum six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for each item in the shipment;
Accurate description for each item in the shipment;
If known, the receiver's Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number***.
These rules apply to all goods (except documents), regardless of value.
1st March 2024
These requirements will be extended to shipments via:
Road
Rail
Maritime
As of March 1st, 2023, it will be mandatory for FedEx to provide this information to the authorities. If the information is not supplied at the time of shipping, your shipment may suffer delays until all information is provided and shared with the authorities.
What you need to do
A Harmonized System (HS) code is an internationally standardised system of describing and classifying goods. It is used by customs authorities to identify items and apply the correct duties and taxes (or restrictions) to them. In some countries, HS codes are also known by other names. Tariff codes and commodity codes are two of the most common.
If you’re preparing your shipment online, the new FedEx Ship Manager™ at fedex.com can now help you easily find your HS code when creating your shipping label. Also, you should be able to find the correct codes for your items by looking on your country’s government website.
This is needed for each type of item you are shipping. The description should answer:
What is it?
What is it made of?
What is it intended for?
Remember to also include the material composition breakdown – e.g. a men’s suit might be 80% cotton and 20% polyester – and check if they require any additional paperwork.
The HS codes and goods descriptions should be added in the dedicated field of your shipping application, as well as on the commercial invoice. Only supplying this information on the commercial invoice is likely to lead to delays in transporting or delivering your goods. If you are unsure of how to enter this information, please contact your sales representative.
If known, you will also need to include your receiver’s Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number*** in the Recipient Tax ID field of your shipping application (if available) and on the commercial invoice.
To ensure you are fully prepared, please start providing this information from now on for all your shipments destined to or transiting through* the EU** or Northern Ireland, Norway, or Switzerland. This will help your business to become more compliant, reduce potential delays at customs, and ensure that the correct duties and taxes are applied when your goods are shipped across borders.
*These requirements do not apply to shipments destined to the U.S, Canada, or LAC. Shipments originating from LAC may require transit through a country in the EU, Northern Ireland, Norway and/or Switzerland if their final destination is located in the United Kingdom, other non-EU countries in Europe, APAC or MEISA.
**EU countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
***Please note VAT registered businesses must obtain EORI numbers. Depending on applicable country or territory regulations, private individuals may need an EORI number to ship or receive packages. In Norway this is referred to as Organization number and Switzerland refers to this as Unique Identification number.