Monday, November 1, 2010

The EU Customs Advanced Manifest Rule

The EU Customs advanced manifest rule aims to ensure that security risk assessment is performed before any imported goods arrive and enter the European Union (EU).

Effective January the 1st 2011 for goods entering the customs territory of the European Union, pre-arrival declarations must be lodged electronically by –in the case of shipping lines- by the carrier and within the timelines established by the European Customs authorities.

Rule will apply to all 27 » EU member states.

Entry Summary Declaration (ENS)
One of the main components of the rule is a requirement for ocean carriers to submit in advanced the cargo declaration, called Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) and at which appropriate risk-based controls, primarily for safety and security purposed will be performed.
ENS must be submitted in accordance to the deadlines established by the EU customs:
  1. For deep sea shipments: 24 hours before cargo is laden onboard the vessel that will enter the EU
  2. For short sea shipments: 2 hrs before vessel arrival to an EU port
  3. For break bulk cargo: 4 hours before vessel arrival to an EU port
To comply with this rule, shippers are required to submit complete and accurate shipping instructions (SI) to the carrier within the established cut off times set up by each local Shipping agent office as carrier.
Shipping instructions must include all data elements required for ENS submission (see link below for list of required data elements).

ENS filing by 3rd parties
In Shipping Lines they will assist their customers to the best extent possible throughout the implementation of this rule, therefore Shipping Lines will file the ENS for all their customers with the relevant EU customs even though 3rd parties are allowed to file the ENS themselves.

Risk Assessment
Customs will electronically let The Carrier know if there are any risks identified with cargo scheduled to enter the EU. There are 3 risk types established by EU customs:
  • Risk Type A: do not load.
    Carrier or Shipping Lines will not be allowed to load any container which has not been approved by EU customs for loading
  • Risk type B: hold at entry port
  • Risk type C: hold at discharge port
    These 2 risk types mean that customs will most likely inspect cargo either at EU entry port or at discharge in an EU port
Should you have any further questions regarding this rule, You may visit their » EU Customs advanced manifest rule page on each of Shipping Lines website or contact your local Shipping Lines agency representative.

Please refer to these links for further details on the EU advanced manifest rule:

» European Commission website
» EU Member states
» HS Codes
» ENS FAQ