Antwerp

ICS2 Phase 2: What you need to know and how we can help

Jan 8, 2025 | , , , , , , ,

On 4th December 2024, Phase 2 of the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) was deployed, requiring maritime and inland waterways house-level filers, including Metro, to directly submit detailed safety and security data to EU customs authorities.

ICS2 is the EU’s advanced customs system designed to enhance supply chain security and facilitate smooth trade across its external borders. By collecting and analysing cargo data in advance, ICS2 allows customs authorities to identify risks early, ensuring efficient processing of low-risk goods while prioritising inspections for high-risk consignments.

Key benefits of ICS2

ICS2 streamlines customs procedures while securing the supply chain by:
Proactively identifying high-risk consignments for early intervention.
Reducing delays and costs through faster and smoother cross-border clearance.
Simplifying data exchange between Economic Operators (EOs) and customs authorities.

Enhanced data requirements
To comply with ICS2, all exporters and logistics providers must provide comprehensive data via the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS), including:

6-digit Harmonised System Code.
Commercial descriptions of goods.
EU-registered EORI numbers.

Complete details of the seller, buyer, and consignee.Prompt submission of this data enables accurate risk assessments, helping to avoid shipment delays.

ENS filing timelines

For maritime transport, ENS submissions must adhere to strict timelines:
1. Two hours before arrival at the first EU port of entry for goods from nearby regions (e.g., Greenland, Morocco, or the Mediterranean) with journeys under 24 hours.
2. Four hours before arrival for bulk cargo in other cases.
3. 24 hours before loading for containerised cargo on longer journeys.

Please note, some carriers may require submissions earlier, such as 24 hours before the estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the port of departure.

Implementation timeline
ICS2 is being deployed in three stages:

1.3rd June 2024: Maritime and inland waterways carriers.
2.4th December 2024: Maritime and inland waterways house-level filers.
3.1st April 2025: Road and rail carriers.

Since 4th December, Metro has been filing directly with EU customs authorities, ensuring compliance and early clearance of shipments. Non-compliance or incomplete ENS submissions can result in shipment delays, stops, and fines.

How we support your compliance

To simplify your compliance with ICS2 Phase 2, we’ve adapted our CuDoS customs brokerage platform to integrate seamlessly with the Shared Trader Interface (STI). This ensures your shipments are cleared early in the process, avoiding costly disruptions.

Our dedicated brokerage team is here to:
Guide you through ICS2 requirements.
Assist with data provision and ENS submissions.
Provide comprehensive support for import and export documentation across the EU.

Don’t let delays or penalties impact your operations. EMAIL Andy Fitchett today to learn how we can help ensure a seamless transition to ICS2 Phase 2 and keep your supply chain moving smoothly.

Customs declaration

November 2024; Customs and compliance update

Nov 13, 2024 | , , , , , , , ,

Our customs consultancy team provide insights on the latest changes, making it easier for you to stay on top of your planning and development needs.

To help us better support your compliance and efficiency goals, including duty/tax reclaims, we encourage you to click the button below to complete our short, five question survey. By responding, you’ll receive tailored insights and support to address any gaps or opportunities within your customs and trade processes.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
As attention focused on the recent UK government budget, many missed the announcement about the UK’s own carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), coming into effect on 1st January 2027. This CBAM will place a carbon price on high-risk goods imported to the UK from sectors including aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, iron, and steel. This measure aims to prevent “carbon leakage” by ensuring the UK’s decarbonisation efforts truly reduce global emissions rather than simply shifting them abroad.

Key points:
• Goods from the glass and ceramics sectors are excluded from CBAM requirements starting in 2027.
• Only businesses importing over £50,000 of CBAM goods annually will need to comply.
• Lessons from the EU’s recent CBAM rollout, which faced data challenges, may offer valuable insights as the UK implements its own system.

Safety & Security Great Britain (SSGB)
The SSGB requires an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) for all goods imported to Great Britain from the EU, effective from 31st January 2025. Responsibility for filing lies with the carrier or haulier, but as the UK importer, you hold the key data.

Here’s what you need to know:
• For accompanied freight, the origin freight forwarder or haulier is responsible for the ENS submission.
• For unaccompanied freight, the ferry line is responsible.
• Some of the required data can be found on your import customs entry, but certain details may depend on direct or indirect liability, particularly if ENS filing is requested by another party.
• A GB EORI number is essential for those needing access to the system.
• HMRC requires accurate and updated departure details before sailings, although some linking issues with GVMS remain unresolved.

Final guidance is pending, but obtaining EORI information from your suppliers will support this new requirement.

Windsor Framework
The Windsor Framework, replacing the Northern Ireland Protocol, has seen its implementation date pushed from 30th September 2024 to 31st March 2025.

This framework introduces Red and Green lanes for goods traffic and replaces the TSS (Trader Support Service) with the UKIMS (UK Internal Market Scheme). It will simplify trade, particularly for agrifoods moving into Northern Ireland, with the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) reducing administrative burdens for certain goods.

import control system 2 (ICS2)
As ICS2 progresses for EU surface cargo, European hauliers have voiced concerns about the challenge of gathering essential data. Metro can assist exporters by preparing data in advance from the export entry, keeping hauliers on the move.

Key details:
• Much of the required information is found on the customs entry.
• Emphasis has shifted to 6-digit commodity codes, and the EU consignee’s EORI number is now required.

Simplifying the complex
While the list of complex abbreviations and requirements continues to grow, don’t worry because our team can break down the jargon and provide clear, actionable guidance to ensure smooth customs compliance.

Client survey: Insight into your compliance needs
Please take a few moments to complete our survey. Your responses will help us understand your needs and provide solutions that enhance your compliance and streamline your processes. Thank you for your feedback!

Metro are at the forefront of customs brokerage solutions, with our automated CuDoS declaration platform and dedicated team of customs experts, reacting swiftly to any changes in the UK and EU’s trading regimes.

To learn more about compliance, CBAM, SSGB, The Windsor Framework or ICS2 – OR to see how we can simplify and automate customs declarations – please EMAIL Andy Fitchett, Brokerage Manager.

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Enhanced groupage services to France and Germany

Oct 2, 2024 | , , , , , , , ,

In our continued efforts to provide exceptional trans-European logistics solutions, we have recently upgraded our groupage services to France and Germany, offering greater speed and efficiency, alongside competitive rates and our top-tier customer care.

Our French groupage services continue to excel, offering regular, efficient departures and seamless distribution throughout the country. In addition, we have expanded our reach in Germany, a vital hub for European trade. With frequent departures, including into the Ruhr area, one of Germany’s most important industrial regions, we ensure that goods are swiftly distributed across the country thanks to our trusted network of partners.

In today’s fast-paced and ultra-competitive markets, it’s not just about speed and cost—it’s about communication, reliability, and trust. By carefully selecting carrier and network partners in France and Germany, who share our customer-first mindset, we ensure that our clients benefit from smooth communication, timely updates, and a full door-to-door (DDP) solution. Our goal is to make European shipping as hassle-free as possible, providing a service that values our customers’ time and business.

However, businesses shipping to and from Germany should be aware of some potential changes that may impact the logistics landscape. Recently, Germany has enforced stricter border controls aimed at curbing migrant activity. While the long-term effects on freight traffic remain unclear, it is a development that could impact trucks entering and leaving the country.

Additionally, as of November 2024, UK passport holders will be required to register their biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when entering the Schengen area, which could cause some delays for trucks crossing from the UK into the EU.

Despite these challenges, our French and German groupage services remain reliable and dependable, ensuring that goods are delivered efficiently while providing the highest level of customer care.

Metro’s road transport solutions incorporate dedicated vehicles moving on set routes for security, with defined delivery deadlines and GPS tracked trucks, to provide full transparency on transit schedules throughout the UK and continental Europe.

Our road freight teams are located close by major manufacturing and transport hubs across the UK. To explore the potential of our German and other European services EMAIL Richard Gibbs to begin a conversation.

strike at port

Ongoing labour disputes threaten global supply chains

Sep 4, 2024 | , , , , , , , ,

While recent developments in India and Canada suggest some relief from labour disputes, the threat of strikes continues to loom over port operations and global supply chains. The situation remains precarious, especially with the added complications from Red Sea diversions, which could magnify the impact of any further industrial action.

Typically, strikes at ports and other supply chain hubs cause only localised disruptions. However, the current climate is fraught with uncertainty. Sea-Intelligence has warned that even a single day of strike action on the U.S. East Coast could create a six-day backlog to clear containers.

If a strike were to last a week in early October, its effects might not be fully resolved until mid-November, while a two-week strike’s impact might be felt well into 2025, further straining already fragile supply chains.

Recent resolutions

Canada
The Canadian government acted within a day to end a rail strike that began on 23rd August, ordering Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN) to resume operations and enter binding arbitration with the Teamsters Union. The Canada Industrial Relations Board extended expired collective agreements until new ones are finalised, temporarily safeguarding the supply chain.

However, the union has challenged this decision by filing four separate appeals with the Federal Court of Appeal, suggesting that the risk of further strike action may not be entirely averted.

India
Potential nationwide strike action involving 12 major ports from the 28th August was avoided when the government agreed to wage increases and additional benefits for around 20,000 port workers. Union leaders insist that the strike threat played a crucial role in securing the deal, preventing significant disruption during the peak export season.

Ongoing threats

Germany
The threat of strikes at major ports remains, as the trade union ver.di has rejected the latest offer from the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS). With the contract now expired, warning strikes have already occurred in key ports such as Hamburg and Bremerhaven. Ver.di is pressing ZDS to return to negotiations with a more substantial offer, raising concerns about potential disruptions if an agreement is not reached soon.

United States
The risk of strikes at East and Gulf Coast ports is growing, with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) threatening action from 1st October. Container spot rates from Asia to the U.S. have remained high, and carriers acknowledge that a strike could sustain these elevated rates through the end of the year.

The ILA has been holding ‘wage scale meetings’ in New Jersey this week, where delegates are reviewing master contract demands and preparing strike committees from Maine to Texas in anticipation of the 1st October deadline.

East Coast port employers, represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), have stated that they have been unable to secure a meeting with the ILA but remain committed to negotiating a new agreement with the union’s leadership.

The early peak season, driven by shippers eager to front-load holiday goods, has already caused concerns about overcapacity. A strike could exacerbate these issues, leaving carriers with limited options to mitigate the impact.

As negotiations remain tense and the risk of disruptions continues to grow, businesses and supply chain managers must stay vigilant and proactive in their planning. Unresolved labour disputes could have significant consequences for global trade, particularly as the year-end approaches.

We have contingency plans in place to avoid ports likely to be most affected by strikes, as well as alternative routes and entry points. Please share your forecasts as early as possible so that we can mitigate possible issues ahead of time.

To discuss these issues and how Metro can protect your supply chain, please EMAIL Andrew Smith, Chief Commercial Officer.

Category: EU

EU | Road

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