Customs information papers – ICS update
A new Customs Information Paper (CIP) relevant to businesses involved in international trade has been published.
The paper concerns the Import Control System (ICS) which became mandatory across the EU from 1 January 2011. The ICS introduced the requirement for electronic pre-arrival information to be provided to the customs authorities on all goods entering or passing through the customs territory of the Community. This information is submitted to the relevant customs administration via an electronic Entry Summary Declaration (ENS).
However, a previously announced period of leniency has been in place to enable businesses to fully test their systems using live data without fear of financial penalties. The period of grace is to be continued until the sooner of 30 June 2011 or until the EU Commission and Member States agree that the time is right to end the grace period.
Regardless of the final decision on when to end the grace period, it will not be extended for any reasons of deliberate non-compliance.