December 10, 2010
EU Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) becomes mandatory as per January 1, 2011

On 1 Jan, 2011 European Union (EU) Regulation 1875/2006, Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) becomes mandatory. This regulation requires an advanced electronic declaration of goods being carried into the customs territory of the EU. Although not members of the EU Customs Community, Norway and Sweden have also joined in implementing this requirement.

The regulation applies to: 

• Goods to be imported in to the EU, Norway and Sweden;
• Goods to be transshipped through an EU port for a destination outside the EU;
• Goods to be re-loaded in an EU port for transit to a destination outside the EU; and

Freight Remaining on Board (FROB).

The purpose of the regulation is to allow Customs authorities in the EU member states to assess the security risk of goods prior to arrival in the EU. 

The timing requirements for sending ENS data vary depending on which mode of transportation is used to bring the goods into the EU:

• Short haul flights (with a duration less than four hours) must be filed upon departure;
• Long haul flights (with a duration over four hours) must be filed at least 4 hours prior to arrival at the first airport within the EU customs territory;
• Containerized Maritime Cargo (except short sea shipping) must be filed at least 24 hours prior to loading at the port of departure;
• Bulk / Break bulk maritime cargo (except short sea shipping) must be filed at least 4 hours before arrival at first EU port;
• Short Sea shipping maritime cargo must be filed at least 2 hours prior to arrival at first EU port;

Truck shipments must be filed at least 1 hour prior to arrival at first EU port.

While it is the responsibility of the carrier to submit ENS data to the appropriate EU member state within the required time frame, IJS Global will facilitate the process by assembling and transmitting the ENS data to the carrier for filing. IJS Global is working to ensure there will be minimal impact on shippers in meeting the ENS requirements. To accomplish this, it is important that complete and timely information be provided in the shipping instructions to avoid cargo delays. 

Carriers will need to receive the following information in order to file an ENS:

• Consignor (Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number if available)
• Consignee (EORI number if available)
• Notify Party (mandatory for “To Order” B/L or AWB)
• Acceptable goods description* or 4 digit HS code
• Type of packages
• Number of packages
• Shipping marks for packaged goods (not necessary for containerized goods)
• Container number (if applicable)
• Seal number (if applicable)
• Gross mass (kg)
• UN code for dangerous goods