FIDI has warned its Affiliates of important new EU regulations affecting sea-freighted consignments of household goods that could lead to disruptions, delays, non-shipment or sanctions.
The new rules, under the EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2), impose new reporting requirements for all shipments of goods to or through the EU, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Switzerland, by sea and inland waterways. They are already being implemented by major carriers including MSC, OOCL, One lines, and Hapag-Lloyd.
They apply to ‘EOs’ (economic operators) – businesses that supply goods or services – as well as companies handling or transporting goods.
Specifically, the description ‘Used personal and household effects’ is no longer recognised on an original bill of lading (OBL). Instead, shippers must use the code HS 9905 – with the description as ‘Personal property belonging to natural person transferring their normal place of residence’, followed by five to 10 descriptions of the types of items (such as furniture, clothes, kitchenware, books, toys, paintings/pictures, and so on).
The regulations will also start applying to rail movements from April 1 2025.
