Cargoitalia makes a Customs first

FOUR months ahead of a national deadline, Cargoitalia has become the first airline in Italy to submit the new electronic Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) message, as part of the new EU Customs Import Control System (ICS) regime.

All airlines in Italy are required to meet the ICS programme, being progressively introduced throughout all EU member states, by July this year.

Under the ICS, carriers must ensure that all goods brought into the EU are covered by an ENS lodged with the Customs office at first point of entry. This Customs office is responsible for risk assessment for all inbound shipments, and will take preventative action against any identified risk.

“Being ready for ENS so early means there will be no risk to our overall service quality from any last minute problems. Our systems will already be 100 per cent tested and proven long before the ENS message becomes compulsory,” Cargoitalia managing director Giacomo Manzon said.

In early trials, Cargoitalia has already achieved 100 per cent accuracy in ENS data transmission for its ex-Hong Kong, Shanghai and US flights.

Carriers that do not comply with ENS face heavy fines.