HOME > Cargo News > Cargo Newstitle_li=Operation
18 de January 2023

CHANGES TO THE CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR ALL CARGO IMPORTED INTO OR TRANSITING THE EUROPEAN UNION

January 18, 2023.

Dear customer,

This is to inform you that the European Union, in conjunction with Switzerland, Norway and Northern Ireland, is in the process of implementing a new customs safety and security program through the Import Control System 2 (ICS-2), which will replace the current customs regulation Import Control System 1 (ICS-1). 

Accordingly, and in order to facilitate the transition, LATAM Cargo will begin a (mandatory) ramp-up period during the weeks immediately preceding the official entry into force of this regulation, whereby freight forwarders will need to complete the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) required by ICS-2 for all cargo carried to or via the countries named before.  The release dates of both the ramp-up and the regulation will be confirmed in due course. 

The customer or freight forwarder will be responsible for the compliance and submission of all data required by ICS-2, with emphasis on the accuracy, integrity and currency of all data provided.

ICS-2 compliance includes two specific processes:

  • Pre-Loading: This process ensures compliance with the PLACI requirements (Pre Loading Advance Cargo Information) and must be completed prior to loading the cargo on the aircraft. In this stage, the so-called “7+1 data” is provided:
    • Shipper Name
    • Shipper address
    • Consignee Name
    • Consignee address
    • # of pieces
    • Weight of goods
    • Description of goods
    • AWB #
  • Pre-Arrival: This process consists of submitting all the cargo-related information, not only 7+1 data. The time limits for submittal are:
  1. for Long-Haul flights (over 4 hours) a minimum of 4 hours prior to the cargo arriving at the first port of entry into the countries named before, and 
  2. for Short-Haul flights (less than 4 hours) no later than the scheduled departure time. 

The information required in the Pre-Arrival form is the same one needed by ICS-1, plus two new requirements that will introduce significant operational changes. These are:

  • Obligation to submit the consignee EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) on each MAWB and/or HAWB level.
  • Obligation to submit the HS-Code (Harmonized Commodity Code) 6 digit and a description for each commodity on each MAWB and HAWB level.

Please be informed that failure to submit required ICS-2 data may lead to non-acceptance of the cargo at EU customs borders and therefore result in failed shipping. In some cases, non-compliance may even lead to financial sanctions.

We understand that this change will be a complex challenge for the entire logistics chain, so we will be sharing relevant information on the new regulation and its changes through our official channels on a regular basis. Should you have specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact the sales representative nearest you or the Customer Care team, or write to us at: grp_customercare@latam.com.

Best regards,

LATAM Cargo Team