Overview of process changes
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.
The BUP Training Manual has been updated to reflect qualification requirements related to DGR CBTA licenses, other airline pallet net regulations, introduction of pallets with permanent affixed net, introduction of AAY container for A321F, introduction of the B787, and regulations for the usage of loggers and trackers in Shipper Built ULDs.
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/bup.
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.