Strengthening the Customs Process in Europe

The Import Control System (ICS), the electronic security declaration management system and legislation for the importation of goods into the European Union and transit via the EU customs territory, will take effect January 1, 2011.

The ICS legislation is driven by the European Customs initiative, known as the Multi-Annual-Strategic-Plan (MASP). In essence, the MASP is a strategic roadmap designed by the European Commission to modernise and strengthen the customs processes in Europe moving towards paperless processing. This is part of the series of modernised processes and systems in Europe between now and 2014.

ICS comes within the scope of the European Union eCUSTOMS initiative. Developed in the framework of the standards for international trade advocated by the World Customs Organisation, its aim is to further ensure the protection of the European Citizens and legitimate trade.

While the Import Control System will impact all goods entering and transiting the EU customs territory via all modes of transport, the legislation will not apply to document shipments (i.e. non dutiable items).

DHL Express is committed to facilitate your shipments by aligning with ICS. By January 2011 we will ensure every country that receives your DHL shipments originated outside the European Union will be compliant with ICS.

To ensure that your shipments are facilitated smoothly via ICS, it is critical that you provide an accurate goods description on your shipping documentation (DHL Waybill and Shipping Invoice). This will minimise the chance of your shipment being selected for an ICS Inspection.

List of examples of insufficient description and acceptable alternatives

Non specific	Acceptable
Agricultural products	Oranges, fish, rice, bread
Aid consignments	Blankets, medications
Animals	Horse, poultry, bovine
Apparel	Men’s shirts, cotton T-shirts, girls vests, boys jackets
Appliances	Electrical stove, microwave oven, coffee machines
Auto parts	Automobile brakes, windshield for automobiles
Caps	Plastic caps
Chemicals, hazardous	Actual chemical name (not brand name)
Chemicals, non-hazardous	Actual chemical name (not brand name)
Cleaning products	Alcohol, detergents (composition)
Consolidated	Description of the various content (see other specific examples)
Didactic articles	Pencils, smart boards, books
Electronics	Personal computer, televisions, LCD, CD players, tape recorders, mobile phones, monitors, printers
Equipment	Oil well equipment, paper cutting equipment
FAK Freight All Kinds	See other specific examples
Foodstuffs	Biscuits, cake, canned meat, (see other examples for agricultural products)
General cargo	Detailed list (see other specific examples)
Gifts	Dolls, remote control cars
Household goods	Plates, dishes, tableware (see also examples for appliances)
Industrial products	Dishwasher, measuring tools, electrical engines (see also examples for electronics)
Iron and Steel	Iron pipes, steel pipes, iron building material, steel building material
I.T. goods	See examples for electronics
Leather articles	Saddles, leather handbags, leather jackets, leather boots
Machine parts	Pumps, seals, engines
Machinery	Metal working machinery, cigarette making machinery, sewing machines, printing machines
Machines	See examples for machinery
Oil	Mineral oil, plant oil
Ore	Iron ore, copper ore
Part/Model number (e.g. R12T.45.5X)	Product detailed description (bumper, bicycle frame, electrical engine)
Parts	See examples for machine parts
Personal effects	Men’s clothing, laptop, pictures based on the specific invoice description (see other specific examples)
Pipes	Plastic pipes, steel pipes, copper pipes
Plants	Tulips, rose, lemon, willow tree
Plastic goods	Plastic kitchenware, plastic house ware
Polyurethane	Polyurethane threads, polyurethane medical gloves
Propellant	See examples for chemicals
Rubber articles	Rubber hoses, rubber conveyor belts
Rod	Welding rod, fuel rod, copper rod
Said to contain	Detailed description required (see other specific examples)
Samples	Sample of T-shirt, 100% cotton
Sanitary goods	Towels, buckets, detergents, tooth brushes
Scrap	Plastic scrap, foam scrap, iron scrap
See attached invoice	Specific description of the content (see other specific examples)
Spare parts	See examples for machine parts
Textiles	Linen fabric, T-shirts 100% cotton (see other examples for apparel)
Tools	Hand tools, electric tools
Toys	See examples for gifts
Various products	Detailed description (see other specific examples)
Vehicles	Bicycles, scooter, skateboards
Wires	Iron wire, copper wires, steel barbwire
Wooden articles	Wooden furniture, wooden kitchen utensils
WPX (or other DHL internal codes)	Detailed description of the content (see other specific examples)