The World Shipping Council (WSC) has been helping forwarders and shippers prepare for new European regulation that require them to file documentation 24 hours before vessel loading.
The WSC conducted an information session with US-based shipper and forwarder trade associations about the EU’s new customs cargo security filing requirements, due to enter force on 1 January 2011.
The new EU rules require the documentation of containerized cargo shipments that will arrive in European ports to be electronically filed with European customs authorities no later than 24 hours
before vessel loading. This will apply to goods onboard ships in the EU for importation or transshipment or to stay on board the vessel enroute to another destination.
WSC President and CEO Chris Koch said: “The implementation date is now less than six months away. “While carriers are aware of, and preparing for, these new filing requirements, it is important that
shippers and forwarders around the world understand that they too will have to adjust their business processes in order to ensure compliance with the new rules.”
Bruce Carlton, President of the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), said:“Shippers and forwarders will have to make changes under these new rules, much like the process changes they
initiated when the US implemented its 24-hour rule.” NITL was also joined by: the American Association of Exporters and Importers, the Agricultural Transportation Coalition, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, the National Retail Federation, the Retail Industry Leaders Association and the US Chamber of Commerce.
Source: Damian Brett, IFW News, 27 July 2010