Happy New Year!
Yes, the Europeans have implemented their version of Security Filing for imports. This is known as the Import Control System or ICS.
As expected (and promised), the new program went into effect on 1 January 2011.
The big differences between the European and US systems are:
- The filing is expected to be done by the “carrier” (could be 3PL/forwarder if you use one)
- Filings can be undertaken by a 3rd party (read broker or importer) and that party if doing the filing becomes liable for any errors/omissions
- The requirement is for all modes (with slightly different cut-off dates by mode)
- Like the US bound cargo last year, many carriers are adding some time on cut off dates up front for EU bound cargo
- No security filing means no movement – this is a bit more strict out of the box than the US program
I suspect that there will be a few bumps in the proverbial road but the fact that Europe is addressing all modes may show CBP where any pitfalls will be in expanding the ISF program here in the US in the coming years. I suspect that we may be on that path but would be interesting to see if the teeth that were promised (threatened) actually come out this year.
For more information on the cut-offs and other requirements, please check out this document published on the Europa portal.
