Cargo news

EU customs change - ICS2 requires HCC/HS codes, EORI number & postal code

July 4, 2023

Finnair implements European Union's ICS2 security and safety profiling on 1st July 2023 for all cargo shipments. This means that freight forwarders with shipments originating outside of EU and transiting via or having destination in the EU will need to start providing us the following details in their AWB data at acceptance (RCS): 

  • HCC/HS codes and matching goods description for all items in the shipment 
  • Consignee’s EORI number
  • Shipper’s and consignee’s contact details (telephone number and email address)

HCC/HS codes can be searched on the European Customs Portal. 
EORI numbers can be searched on EU Commission’s EORI number validation page.

Providing the required ICS2 data is important because without it your shipment may be denied loading or stopped by the authorities. 

The same data requirements will apply also to mail shipments for which we ask you to start sending ICS2 data also as of 1st July. This data for mail shipments will be required by the authorities within the next few months. 

In addition to the new requirements, we kindly remind you that it is necessary to have the complete consignee address including postal code in order to get the pre-loading approval required by EU customs authorities.

How to provide HCC/HS codes and EORI number 

Freight forwarders can provide us the HCC/HS codes and consignee EORI number via Cargo IMP messages or by inserting them on Finnair Cargo Online. You can find detailed instructions for how to insert this data on Finnair Cargo Online | Finnair Cargo > See instructions for adding EORI code and HCC/HS codes for MAWB and HAWB in section: How to get started with using Finnair Cargo Online? 

Please note that your shipment may be denied loading or stopped by authorities in case of missing ICS2 data.

What is ICS2? 

European Union implemented ICS2 (Import Control System 2) security and safety profiling in March 2023. The new model includes pre-loading profiling (PLACI) and during the flight profiling (ACI). The ICS2 requirements are based on EU legislation, COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2015/2446 of 28 July 2015, supplementing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding detailed rules concerning certain provisions of the Union Customs Code. 

The new model brings changes to the current security profiling in terms of process and data requirements. The ICS2 release 2 concerns air cargo and mail requirements. Finnair requires full air waybill and house air waybill (FHL) data before accepting shipments for transport at cargo terminals across Finnair network. The preferred method for providing data is Cargo IMP messages. For mail shipments CARDIT/RESDIT messaging will be mandatory. 

The EU requires HCC/HS codes for all items in the shipment and the consignee's EORI number, as well as the shipper’s and consignee's contact information. 

EU defined a transition period for this implementation from 1st March to the end of June 2023. Hence, all air carriers need to fulfill the ICS2 requirements latest on 1st July 2023.

If you have any questions, please contact  cargo.support@finnair.com.