The latest in the EU’s long line of supply chain security legislation is the introduction of the Import Control System (ICS), which requires the provision of advanced shipment information to Customs authorities.
ICS is a transactional program requiring up to 30 data elements for EU Customs filings on each and every shipment, much like the 10+2 program in the US, which requires the advance filing of 12 data elements (10 from the Importer of Record and 2 from the carrier) prior to goods being loaded on a carrier at the point of origin. The intention of ICS and 10+2 is the same–securing the supply chain by evaluating shipments prior to arrival.
Effective since January, the new requirements put the responsibility to submit the data to Customs onto the carriers and LSPs, but the suppliers from origin must provide them with the accurate information in the first instance. To makes things more difficult, it is likely that not all 30 different data items will be needed in every case because each member state will have different demands–not to mention the different languages the process involves.
If OEMs do not receive the items on time, the production lines will be seriously affected and premium freight could also be incurred, which makes it vital that Odette plays a part in ensuring the data communications are as effective as possible. Therefore Odette is developing a project team to ensure the relevant data is exchanged as seamlessly as possible between all the partners. It will involve the development of a comprehensive process description for the flow of information in the different business scenarios and definition of a harmonised communication interface between automotive industry and LSPs.
