FAQ OF THE NEW ICS2 RELEASE 3

• When is an ENS applicable?
  Submission of the ENS applies to all cargo shipped to the European Customs Union (inbound) by sea, this includes both transshipment- as well as FROB cargo.
• What about Intereuropean (EU) shipments?
  Lodgment of the Entry Summary Declarations is not applicable for shipments originating from within the EU unless the vessel physically leaves the EU during the sea voyage. For instance, calling Felixstowe (GB) in between Bilbao (ES) and Rotterdam (NL) will ultimately result in a mandatory submission of the ENS to the central European system (STI).
• How can the ENS be submitted electronically?
  Entry Summary Declarations are submitted directly to the Shared Trader Interface or STI, the central European system from the ECS.
• Is there a deadline for lodging the ENS?
  For inbound shipments to the European Customs Union, the ENS, in case of both single- as well as multiple filing, all data of the ENS must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to commencement of loading operation in the Port of Origin (non-EU).
• Who is responsible to submit an ENS?
  In the present set-up (ICS1), the shipping line is responsible for filing the ENS on master level, whereas ICS2 Release 3 demands data on house Bill of Lading level. The new infrastructure and system allows a new concept, whereas the submission of the data set to ITS, can be done by the vessel operator in full (single filing) or in part (multiple filing). Modus operandi to be agreed between the customer and shipping line.

• The Economic Operator’s Registration and Identification number (EORI) of the Consignee for all EU- destinations. Otherwise, full address details, including street name, postal code, city, and country name.
• Buyer and Seller information is required for all cargo destined to the EU.
• Six-digit Harmonized (HS) Code, for each commodity line stated on the commercial invoice.
• Accurate and adequate goods description as per EU Guidelines.
• Number of packages and corresponding Gross Weight.
• Unique Consignment Reference or UCR (if available).
• CUS code for harmless and DG chemicals.
• EORI of the supplementary declarant. Only applicable for house-filers in case of multiple filing.

All data elements to complete the ENS, are mandatory to be shared by the client in advance together with the shipping instructions in case of single filing. If the customer decides not to disclose the information/data, the ENS application will be filed in part by the vessel operator (master- level details), and house- level details are completed by another party. It is imperative that the customer provides Nirint Shipping an valid EORI (Economic Operator Registration + Identification) number of the self-filer.

• Are customers allowed to file house level and buyer/seller details?
  ICS2 Release 3 allows “Multiple filing”. I.e. multiple parties can submit the mandatory data to the STI. Therefore, customers are allowed to file House BL data by themselves, for which Nirint Shipping requires the EORI number of the company.
• What is the official implementation date?
  New regulations imposed by the EUCU will be enforced as from the 4th of December. Shipping Lines were allowed to apply for a deployment window as from the 3rd of June. We can confirm that Nirint will grant customers the time to adapt to the new imposed regulations, and will officially commence lodging the ENS to the Shared Trader Interface of the European Customs Union.
• What is the deployment window for house-level filing?
  The official deployment window communicated by the European Customs Union, for house-level filing, commences on December 4, 2024, and ends on April 1, 2025. Nirint Shipping strives to implement the house-level filing from the start of the deployment window i.e. the 4th of December.
• House level and buyer/seller data will be filed on my behalf by Nirint Shipping?
  Yes, Nirint Shipping can offer lodgment of your house level and buyer/seller data provided you will send us all data required, against a to bet determined fee, which will be communicated at a later stage.
• Can I proceed with the shipment, if the lodgment is incomplete?
  Cargo will only be considered ready for loading if the newly imposed ICS2 regulations are fully met. This includes a successful Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) submission which will be confirmed by receipt of a valid Movement Reference Number or MRN. As Nirint, we will uphold a strict “No MRN No Load rule”, to comply with the new EU- regulations.
• What are the guidelines for cargo descriptions?
  Yes, please click on the following link. 
• Are amendments to the ENS allowed after the initial declaration?
  Amendments to the ENS are as a general rule feasible. Though, in some occasions changes can be rejected by customs or can result in additional expenses.
• Is lodgment of House B/L data to the EUCU mandatory?
  Filing the ENS to the STI demands additional information. At present, mandatory information is submitted on master level, whereas ICS2 Release 3 demands house filing.
• What happens if the ENS- lodgment does not comply?
  In case of non-compliance, cargo will not be cleared by Customs and stopped at the customs border, consequently resulting in delays. Such declarations will either be subject to refusal or interference and sanctions imposed for non-compliance.
• What will be the effect on the cut- off time?
  To ensure that all data is timely communicated and processed, Nirint will implement a 48-hrs. rule from the vessels estimated time of arrival or ETA. As a carrier, we therefore request our valued customers to provide the complete shipping instructions before the deadline, to avoid delays and potential rolling of cargoes.
• What happens when Nirint Shipping receives a “Do not load” status from the STI- system of the EUCU?
  The status received from the STI- system, will be communicated with the customer, in line with the legal framework.
• Will Nirint impose charges for ENS- filing?
  Nirint Shipping will not implement a ENS- surcharge for ENS- filing of Master- level data. House-level filing on the other hand will be subject to an additional fee, which is yet to be determined. Additional information will follow in the course of the deployment window.
• What about the ATO?
  Lodgment of the ATO, will continue to be done at the national customs authority. It is mandatory that universal data from both ATO and the ENS match. To increase the efficiency, it is allowed to refer to the ENS, whilst submitting the ATO. Via this way common data only has to be submitted ones.