Europe’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2)
Europe’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2)
Important shipping changes to be aware of and what you need to know
Important shipping changes to be aware of and what you need to know
Important shipping changes to be aware of and 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). As a result, we will need to provide additional information about your shipments to the authorities and we are asking you to ensure that you provide these details, each time you ship.
What it means for you
March 1, 2023
Beginning March 1, 2023, all goods being shipped into or transiting through the EU*, 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 goods description for each item in the shipment
- If known, the receiver’s Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number**
A minimum six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for each item in the shipment
Accurate goods 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.
April 1, 2025
Beginning April 1, 2025 these requirements will extend to road, rail and maritime shipments.
Road
Rail
Maritime
It will be mandatory for FedEx to provide this information to the authorities.
If it is not supplied with the goods you are importing, we may have to delay your shipment until we can obtain the required details.
What you need to do
You should be able to find the correct codes for your items on your country’s government website.
A Harmonized System (HS) code is an internationally standardized 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.
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 you require any additional paperwork.
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.
If you aren’t already, please start providing these details now. They will help your business’ compliance, help reduce delays at customs, and ensure that the correct duties and taxes are applied when your goods are shipped across borders.
The HS codes, goods descriptions and your receiver’s EORI number should be added in the dedicated fields 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 you aren’t already, please start providing these details now. They will help your business’ compliance, help reduce delays at customs, and ensure that the correct duties and taxes are applied when your goods are shipped across borders.
*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 refer to this as Unique Identification number.
Resources for exporters
Make international shipping more efficient
We created the FedEx International Shipping Assist tool to help make your international shipping process more efficient and accurate. Key features include: instant access to important shipping information, the ability to save and reuse Harmonized System codes, and estimated duties and taxes for repeat shipments.
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