We would like to inform our valued customers of the upcoming EU* requirements for inbound cargo on vessels destined to EU* ports which will come into effect on 31st December 2010 for EU* bound vessels loading on or after this date.

The rule requires all ocean carriers to submit a list of legislation-defined data elements to EU* Customs at a vessel's first EU* port of call.

OOCL will be responsible for the timely electronic submission of the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS):

-    at least 24 hours prior to the start of the loading of vessels bound for an EU* port (Deepsea) 
  
-    latest 2 hours prior to vessels arrival at the first EU* port (Shortsea).

The regulation is applicable to all import cargo to or via any EU* Port as well as FROB cargo (Foreign Cargo Remaining on Board), i.e. cargo which is discharged in a port outside the EU* after the vessel has called at an EU* port.

To comply with this regulation we will request our customers to provide complete and accurate shipping instructions before the shipping instruction closing time which will be the same as currently applied for other Advance Manifest requiring countries such as USA, Canada or Mexico. This information will be published on our websites as well as be included in our Booking Acknowledgements/Confirmations.

The mandatory data elements for an Entry Summary Declaration which must be included in your shipping instructions are:

•    Full name and address (including postal code) of shipper and consignee
•    Full name and address (including postal code) of notify party where goods are carried under a negotiable “to order” B/L
•    Container number
•    Acceptable goods description in line with the EU guidelines on acceptable and unacceptable terms for the descriptions of goods for exit and entry summary declarations” (not necessary if the 4 digits HS code is provided) 
•    Preferably the first four digits of the HS code for each goods item.
•    Number and type of packages
•    Cargo gross weight
•    UN dangerous goods code where applicable
•    Seal number
•    Method of payment for transport charges in case of prepaid (for example “cash payment”, “cheque payment”, “electronic credit transfer”, etc.

OOCL will send the Entry Summary Declaration the Customs at the “first office of the entry (first EU* port of call) which will carry out a security risk assessment. In the situation where a so-called “Risk Type A = do not load:” is identified,, subsequent ports and port of loading will be informed:

For further information, please contact your local Sales representative for further information.

The following links offer additional information on this topic:

EU*= European Union. For more information, please visit http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/index_en.htm

For more details about the requirements, please visit the EU website at http://ec.europa.eu/ecip/security_amendment/procedures/index_en.htm