International shipping regulations for all of the EU, Norway, and Switzerland are about to go into effect. Please see below our second notice regarding the updated regulations.
Kindly be informed that ShipHero cannot offer legal advice or provide descriptions and codes of products. If you need help with these, please reach out to your vendor.
THE GENERAL SCOOP
The European Union (EU), Norway, and Switzerland have set new regulations in place requiring parcels destined to all EU countries**; Norway and Switzerland have a Harmonized System (HS) tariff code on customs forms and accompanying shipping data files.
This change aims to increase accountability and efficiency and decrease the risk of fraud and security threats.
**EU Countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
**EU Countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
What is changing?
Originally set to start on March 1st, 2023 but then extended to now July 1st, 2023, the above-listed countries will release the second phase of its Import Control System 2 (ICS2), two years after the initial release.
All shippers must provide more specific and accurate item descriptions and the appropriate HS tariff code for each item shipped. By complying with this new mandate, customers will:
- Avoid fines and penalties associated with noncompliance.
- Reduce safety and security risks.
- Help ensure timely and efficient delivery to the EU.
- Prevent customs delays and/or return of non-compliant mail items.
Detailed Commodity Descriptions
The EU will no longer accept vague commodity descriptions such as “samples”, “clothes”, and “parts”. An ideal description states the main description of the commodity, followed by its attribute details that complement the main description. It’s important to avoid ambiguous descriptions that can be misinterpreted.
The EU will no longer accept vague commodity descriptions such as “samples”, “clothes”, and “parts”. An ideal description states the main description of the commodity, followed by its attribute details that complement the main description. It’s important to avoid ambiguous descriptions that can be misinterpreted.
Additional Information:
To learn more about providing acceptable item descriptions, view the chart below or read the EU’s guidance on acceptable terms at:
Guidance on Acceptable and Unacceptable Terms for the Description of Goods. (Source: European Commission- Taxation and Customs Union)
Does this affect me?
If you ship goods to the EU, Norway or Switzerland, this affects you for all International services.
What do I need to do?
If you ship goods to the EU, Norway or Switzerland you will need to:
a. Ensure your descriptions are accurate and specific to avoid delays, penalties and returns (see examples above).
b. Ensure that all your items shipped after July 1, 2023, have been properly Harmonized on the customs form and data.
Based on the requirements above, parcels that do not present the appropriate HS tariff code will be unable to ship to the EU, Norway, and Switzerland.
If you ship goods to the EU, Norway or Switzerland, this affects you for all International services.
What do I need to do?
If you ship goods to the EU, Norway or Switzerland you will need to:
a. Ensure your descriptions are accurate and specific to avoid delays, penalties and returns (see examples above).
b. Ensure that all your items shipped after July 1, 2023, have been properly Harmonized on the customs form and data.
Based on the requirements above, parcels that do not present the appropriate HS tariff code will be unable to ship to the EU, Norway, and Switzerland.
