The European Union Advance Cargo Declaration Regime becomes effective on January 1st 2011.

This new manifest regulation aims to ensure an equal level of protection against terrorist attacks for all goods shipped into, out of or through the EU through customs controls. It is similar to the advanced manifest regime ("24 hour rule") instituted by the United States' Trade Act of 2002 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It will affect all freight imported into and exported out of Europe, as well as transhipment cargo.

The rules on EU advance cargo declaration will apply in addition to existing customs rules laid down in the Community Customs Code.

The customs office of entry or exit may identify three types of risks, notably:

• “Risk Type A” – If the customs office identifies a serious safety and security risk with regard to the cargo to be loaded onboard a deepsea container ship, the customs office will issue a risk type A message, which will result in a so-called “Do Not Load” (DNL) message. According to this message, the carrier (ship operator) will not be allowed to load the relevant cargo onboard its ship. A DNL message will only apply to deepsea container shipping.
• “Risk Type B” – If the customs office identifies a serious safety and security risk with regard to cargo to be loaded onboard a ship that does not operate a deepsea container service – thus it operates either a bulk or shortsea service – the customs office will issue a risk type B message, according to which the cargo that poses a serious safety and security risk will be handled in the first EU port of entry or the port of departure.
• “Risk Type C” – If the customs office identifies a safety and security risk – which is not considered to be serious – with regard to cargo to be loaded onboard the ship, the customs office will issue a risk type C message, according to which the cargo that poses this risk will be handled in the EU port of discharge. This rule applies to all shipping sectors.

Read the full guide on the EU Advance Cargo Declaration below.