Import Control System 2 (ICS2)

ICS2 is a new and updated customs electronic import system. It will manage the advance safety and security risk analysis for all goods entering the European Union (EU).

ICS2 is the automated entry process that applies to the entire EU. This process monitors the security of the EU´s external border. Automation of the process should also ensure that data can be exchanged more efficiently between EU member states.

ICS2 applies to all cargo and mail with a destination within – or transit via – the EU.

The system requires customs pre-acceptance and pre-arrival security and safety clearance. The new requirements will become mandatory effective 1 March 2023.

We are preparing for this new requirement by adapting the existing processes and systems in order to ensure full compliance. The successful introduction of the changes required by the ICS2 regulation will depend on your active participation and compliance.

We take care of the translation to ENS and file, we file based on carrier obligation to obtain final status. We take care of absorbing referrals from the authorities. If all data is provided in time, a green lane for acceptance can be provided.

It is necessary that all the available data has been submitted before pre-loading. Consignments and cargo will not be accepted if the necessary data (FWB/FHL) is not available.

It should also be noted that poor quality declarations will either be rejected or subject to unnecessary interventions, and may result in sanctions for non-compliance

Provide us the following information as soon as the information becomes available, but no later than prior to loading onto the aircraft:

• Full FWB / FHL message

Please note that failure to provide this additional information will lead to non-acceptance of the goods at the station of origin.

Want to know more about the data that is needed for ICS2, please check the following information movies made by the European Commission.

Movie 2 about ICS2

The new European Union customs requirements regarding import - ICS2 - have officially become mandatory as per 1 March.

12 EU members states, including French and Dutch Customs authorities, requested for a relaxation period and therefore their systems will only be ready for ICS2 as of 1 July 2023.

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo will nevertheless continue to request its customers to comply with the new ICS2 requirements as soon as possible. This means that we will require the full FWB and FHL data prior to acceptance, in order to fulfill the carrier´s responsibility regarding the pre-loading filing.

Airfrance – KLM Cargo demands the full FWB (and FHL) data prior to acceptance to fulfil it´s carrier responsibility with regards to the pre-loading filing.

For profiling purposes and mandatory ICS2 reporting to EU customs authorities, FWB/FHL messages must be transmitted to Air France KLM Martinair Cargo before handover of the goods.

To ensure the smooth implementation of this new regulation, we kindly request that you include these new data elements in your FWB and FHL messages. It is crucial for the additional information to be entered into the appropriate Harmonized System Code fields.

A HS code (Harmonized System code) is a code that customs worldwide use for classifying products. Each product has a different HS code. A HS code of a product consists of six digits. All countries in the world use the same HS codes for their products. The HS code for, for example, leather handbags is therefore the same in all these countries, namely 4202 21. We only demand the first 6 digits of the HS Code.

A detailed list of HS Codes can be found HERE
For more information about the HS Codes please go to World Customs Organization

We would like to encourage all our customers to sign up for an “e-AWB-agreement” for smooth handling. Please refer to this page on our website for more relevant information, including the e-AWB agreement.

For technical questions related to the (ICS2) messaging conditions, please contact our e-Freight team via email: mail.efreight@airfrance.fr

For more detailed information on “Import Control System 2 (ICS 2)” please refer to the website of the European Commission.

Want to make a booking, please contact your local customer service organization or go to myCargo.



Please note this is not a comprehensive overview of laws and regulations that may apply to air transport. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo cannot be held responsible for the correctness, nor completeness, of the information provided.