Overview of process changes
4 digit HS code is required on MAWB level for all import to shipments to Morocco.
See also attached publication by IATA.
The first phase of the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) 5 standard used for road transport in the EU, EFTA, Turkey, North Macedonia and the United Kingdom, must be implemented in Germany by latest 30th NOV 2023.
With the introduction of the new standard (Atlas 9.1) in Germany, the 8-digit customs tariff number (common nomenclature) will become a mandatory value, for all shipments being linked to an export accompanying document (ABD) and being put into such a transit procedure. Among other cases, a transit procedure is required when transporting EU/union goods across an EU border to or via an NCTS country (e.g. Switzerland, UK) per road feeder service.
This is mandatory at both HAWB and MAWB level.
To ensure fast processing of enquiries and reduce waiting times in the Customer Service, we will accept requests for Written Statement only via eServices (Written Statement; available after Log-In), and not via e-mail anymore.
To ensure fast processing of enquiries and reduce waiting times in the Customer Service, we will accept requests for Written Statement only via eServices (Written Statement; available after Log-In), and not via e-mail anymore.
Dear customer,
We would like to inform you that the embargo for all non-hybrid automobiles UN3166 will be lifted as of 24 August 9:00 LT Frankfurt, if the following requirements are met:
- New “Check sheet Automobiles” must be submitted prior a booking confirmation can be issued.,
- Please state “No hybrid electric automobile” on the MAWB / FWB under “Nature and quantity of goods” or “Handling Information.”
- The above MAWB entry for UN3166 automobiles will be validated by Lufthansa Cargo upon the DG acceptance check at the origin station.
Please be informed, that the existing embargo for automobiles/cars subject to UN3171 powered by lithium batteries remains in place.
The embargo also remains valid for automobiles/cars subject to UN3166, hybrid electric automobiles powered by both internal combustion engine / fuel cell and lithium-ion battery or lithium metal battery.
Our team is diligently working to address the situation and find solutions, that will allow us to lift the embargo for all automobiles (UN3166) again.
We sincerely regret the necessary adjustments and the inconvenience these measures may cause. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.
If you have any further questions, please contact your local Lufthansa Cargo team.
Yours sincerely,
Your Lufthansa Cargo Team
Shipments to / via Mexico require a pouch including the following documents:
- HAWB (if applicable)
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Others (if applicable)
Therefore, only EAP is allowed to / via Mexico.
The BUP Training Manual has been updated. The instruction of how to distribute piece weight (if needed) to properly consider floor load restrictions has been improved. Furthermore, pictures and figures have been added or changes to improve visualization of Do's and Don'ts.
The new BUP Training Manual and more documents related to Shipper Built ULDs (BUP, SMU) are available on our web page https://www.lufthansa-cargo.com/sbu
The ebooking user will receive a booking confirmation email, not only for queued bookings but for all created online bookings or booking changes. The email will be sent to the company account.
Additionally, rate and surcharge(s) will now be based on LAT as displayed and no longer on AWB issue date. This LAT will be fixed at time of goods acceptance and the charged amount will be accounted accordingly.
As per Brazilian Customs requirements, which become duty as of 01. July 2023, the Federal Tax Identification (CNPJ number in case of Legal Entities, CPF in case of Physical Person or PASSPORT in case of Physical Person without CPF/ tax ID) MUST be reflected in the FWB/XFWB message in OCI lines and has to be provided to the carrier prior to goods acceptance at origin.
The data shall always be in the following OCI field:
OCI/BR/CNE/T/XXXXXXXX
Following format is expected:
| Consignee Type | Example of Supplementary Customs Information in OCI: OCI/BR/CNE/T/…. | Required value format | Example of the complete OCI line |
| Legal Entity | CNPJ12345678901234 | CNPJ<number with 8 or 14 digits) | OCI/BR/CNE/T/CNPJ12345678901234 |
| Physical Person | CPF12345678901 | CPF<number with 11 digits> | OCI/BR/CNE/T/CPF12345678901 |
| Physical Person without a Tax ID / CPF | PASSPORT12345678AB24 | PASSPORT<alphanumeric up to 25 digits> | OCI/BR/CNE/T/PASSPORT12345678AB24 |
To ensure fast processing of enquiries and reduce waiting times in the Customer Service, we will accept requests for Written Statement only via eServices (Written Statement; available after Log-In), and not via e-mail anymore.
Uzbekistan authorities require commercial documents for all goods into UZ, like commercial invoice, contract, etc. Please also refer to the IATA TACT rules, Section 7 Information by Country
For the commodities aircraft/helicopter parts and engines the goods description on the AWB and in the FWB/FHL must explicitly specify if the aircraft or helicopter parts (and engines) are for a civil or military use.
In the case of military use the additional statement "Not subject to relevant war weapons control rules” must be included.
Non-specification will lead to non-acceptance of the shipment.
As previously informed, the European Union is implementing a new Customs security and safety program “Import Control System 2 (ICS 2)”.
Release 2, applicable as of March 1st 2023, is relevant for all air cargo and airmail shipments with origin in a third (non-EU) country with destination or transit in the EU.
Lufthansa Cargo has been well prepared for the ICS2 requirement and has adapted existing processes and several IT systems to ensure the on-time compliance to the authorities´ regulation. We would like to thank you for your support and active cooperation in preparing for the ICS2 implementation.
However, we were informed in the afternoon of FEB 28th 2023, that the European Commission made a significant last-minute change regarding the transition strategy to Release 2: Carriers operating direct flights from non-EU countries to EU member states not ready for ICS 2, were strongly recommended to request for a deployment window, in order to maintain safety and security across the EU.
Our main focus is to ensure a smooth shipment flow under the ICS2 regulation. This is why we decided to follow the recommendation by EU authorities and have applied for and been granted a deployment window until latest 30th June. This is to accommodate the fact that our network includes several EU member states not yet ready for ICS2-implementation.
Brazil has published a new state variation BRG-05 in the IATA DGR 64th edition, effective 1st January 2023. The variation mandates that dangerous goods packed in UN specification packaging transported to and from Brazil must be accompanied by a copy of the respective packaging approval certificate, issued by a civil aviation authority or any other appropriate national authority.
The approval certificate(s) have to be made available to Lufthansa Cargo along with the shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods consignments transported to and from Brazil. The airline is required to ensure compliance with BRG-05 by verifying that the certificate(s) are available upon the dangerous goods acceptance check.
As previously communicated in EU Import Control System (ICS) 2 | Lufthansa Cargo (lufthansa-cargo.com) Import Control System 2 will be going live in March 2023. Affecting all freight and airmail from thid countries, with transit or import to EU, Switzerland and Norway.
From March Lufthansa Cargo will not accept affected shipments without 6digit HS code. Trader Identification number (EORI or third country TIN) are required if assigned to consignee.
Due to repeated issues brought to our attention by different customs authorities we would like to emphasize the following:
HAWB data provided to the carrier must match the House data provided to customs for clearance purposes at the destination.
Example given: if 50 House bills are customs cleared at destination, carrier must also report 50 HAWBs to customs from our side. Else carrier fines shall be passed on to customer.
The carrier must provide HS code (for direct shipments on AWB level, or HAWB level in case of consol), commercial invoice and packing list to South African customs for all shipments transiting JNB, continuing by truck to DUR and PLZ.
Effective 15th March 2022, the transportation of cargo on the A321 freighter will be possible. Please note that, for temperature sensitive goods, temperature control cannot be guaranteed.
On intercontinental flights ex HUB (FRA, MUC, VIE, BRU), the Capacity Guarantee (Capacity Guarantee, not booking confirmation, which is unchanged) will be reintroduced with currently adjusted values. The following values apply temporarily to the capacity guarantee:
- Wide Body:
- Up to 3 hrs before LAT: 0,6 cbm and 100kg
- Freighter:
- Up to 3 hrs before LAT: 2,5 cbm and 500kg
This does not apply to our Emergency product, which is still possible without restrictions. Further details on our products and the capacity guarantee can be found under www.lufthansa-cargo.com/de/produkte.
Auf den Interkontinentalflügen ex HUB (FRA, MUC, VIE, BRU) wird die Kapazitätsgarantie (Capacity Guarantee, nicht zu verwechseln mit einer Buchungsbestätigung, die unverändert ist) mit derzeit angepassten Werten wieder eingeführt. Folgende Werte gelten vorübergehend für die Kapazitätsgarantie:
- Wide Body:
- bis 3 Std vor LAT: 0,6 cbm und 100kg
- Frachter:
- bis 3 Std vor LAT: 2,5 cbm und 500kg
Davon ausgenommen ist unser Emergency Produkt, welches weiterhin ohne Einschränkungen möglich ist. Nähere Details zu unseren Produkten und zur Kapazitätsgarantie finden sie unter www.lufthansa-cargo.com/de/produkte.
The carrier must provide certain data on MAWB and HAWB level to Brazil customs. This includes some accounting information not contained in the Consol Manifest or FHL.
Effective June 1, 2021, Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) will become bookable on our external channels. In the course of this Lufthansa Cargo will extend the Manual Booking Fee to IBC shipments and will charge 12.00 EUR (ex Germany and Eurozone) respectively 12 USD (ex AO, BR, IL, KE, MX, PA, TR, UY, US) or equivalent of 12 EUR in local currency per Air Waybill if the IBC shipment is not initially booked via an external channel.
Please note that the previously applicable regulations are still valid. In case of liquids Lufthansa Cargo only accepts IBCs with a minimum filling level of 80% and a maximum filling level of 95%. The filling level and the total weight of IBCs must be indicated on the AWB.
Please note that it is mandatory to declare IBCs filled with liquids at time of booking. You will be able to book the option IBC in Lufthansa Cargo’s eBooking by selecting the respective “Commodity”. Bookings via EDI/Cargo-IMP and the smartBooking API must contain the corresponding IBC commodity. Additionally, it is necessary to book IBC shipments as not stackable (eBooking: “Not Stackable“ tick box in “Add/upload individual shipment information”; Cargo-IMP: Loading Indicator NST in OSI line; API: Indicator in field “Stackable“= false). Solids in IBCs do not have to be declared at time of booking. All IBCs are still excluded from the BUP/SMU program. Furthermore, it is not allowed to transport IBCs in any Lufthansa Cargo cool container.
Further details can be found in the IATA TACT Rules 8.3 “Information by Carrier” (Lufthansa).
Effective 1st January 2021 Lufthansa Cargo will allow and accept shipments containing UN3373 Biological Substance Category B (RDS) in standard packaging meeting the requirements of IATA DGR Packing Instruction 650.
With IATA DGR 62nd Edition 2021 our Operator Variation LH-05 involving restrictions relating to packaging of UN3373 Biological Substances, Category B (RDS) will no longer be in place. Same applies to respective Operator Variations for Austrian Airlines (OS-05) and for Brussels Airlnes (S-08). The variations will show as “not used” to indicate removal from regulations.