Export cargo from the EU and import cargo into the EU will be subject to a new Customs risk assessment.

Export: Exit Summary Declaration = EXS
Import: Entry Summary Declaration = ENS

The lodgment of EXS and ENS will become mandatory on December 31, 2010.

EXS: Under the terms of Regulation 1875 ocean carriers are required to file exit summary declarations for containerized export shipments for which an export customs declaration or transit declaration has not been filed by the exporter or its agent.

ENS: 24 hours before the loading operation of a vessel begins, Hapag-Lloyd must submit a detailed entry summary declaration to the responsible customs office for containers moving under a Hapag-Lloyd B/L. Freight forwarders can submit their own entry summary declaration for the cargo they control, but only with our consent.

More detailed information regarding the EU 24 hour rule will follow in due course.

For any questions please contact your local Hapag-Lloyd sales office.

Trusted and reliable - Hapag-Lloyd AG has been a certified AEO since July 25, 2008. The creation of the AEO-Concept is one of the main elements of the security amendment of the Community Customs Code. It aims at heightening security along the international supply chain.

An AEO is a party involved in the international movement of goods. The national customs administration acknowledges him.

Hapag-Lloyd AG is holder of the AEO-Certificate “Customs Simplifications / Security and Safety”. The AEO-Status entitles us to benefits in the course of customs clearance.

Certification of Hapag-Lloyd European subsidiaries will follow at a later time.

In preparation of the implementation of the European advance cargo security provisions (Commission Regulation 1875/2006), the European Commission has developed guidelines for acceptable and non-acceptable cargo descriptions.

Even though the mandatory lodgment of entry and exit summary declarations has been delayed until December 31, 2010, individual EU Member States may require the application of the cargo description guidelines in the near future, e.g. in arrival manifests or summary declarations for temporary storage.

Effective July 1, 2009, Dutch Customs will commence with this requirement. Usage of non-acceptable cargo descriptions will result in Customs inspection and examination which might cause delays.

Since the cargo description used for submissions to the Dutch Customs is taken from the Bill of Lading, we ask you to start using only acceptable cargo descriptions within your Shipping Instructions. Furthermore, we strongly recommend following the cargo description guideline also for shipments to any other European countries.

Attached you find a list of examples of unacceptable and acceptable descriptions of goods.