Since December 31, 2010, the European Union requires an ESumA for all goods imported into the customs territory of the EU, regardless of their final destination, in accordance with EU Regulation 1875/2006. This also includes cargo that is discharged at an EU port (including transshipped goods) as well as containers that remain on board because they are destined for a subsequent port outside the EU.

Transmission of the summary entry report (ESumA)

The customer provides the shipping company with all relevant information about the cargo. The shipping company then updates this data in its system to deposit it with EU customs. The complete information is then sent to the EU customs office. Shipping companies are obliged to submit this summary entry declaration to EU customs. This declaration covers all cargo loaded on a specific ship scheduled to call at EU ports.

EU customs authorities require the ESumA to carry out a proper security assessment of cargo entering EU ports, similar to the AMS declaration for the USA.

It is also possible for a freight forwarder to submit the ESumA, but this may only be done with the shipping company’s consent. In this case, the carrier assumes responsibility for the veracity and accuracy of the information submitted.

 

Deadline and required information

The summary entry report must be submitted at least 24 hours before the container is loaded at the port.

The EU customs authorities require that the following information be included in an ESumA:

• Shipper/shipper (or their EORI number, if available)
• Recipient (or their EORI number, if available)
• Registration address, mandatory in the case of a negotiable “to order” bill of lading (or its EORI number, if available)
• Preferably HS code, at least four, ideally six digits or an acceptable description of the goods
• Type of packages (code)
• Number of packages
• Container number
• Seal number
• Gross goods weight (in kilograms)
• UN code for dangerous goods
• Method of payment of transport costs (code), e.g. cash, credit card, check, account debit, electronic payment, account with the carrier, no advance payment
• Carrier, no advance payment

 

After the carrier has submitted the ESumA, he must wait for feedback from EU customs, which usually occurs promptly. If the answer is negative and the cargo is rejected for any reason, the carrier will receive a DNL (Do Not Load) message from the EU customs authorities.

This means that certain containers may not be loaded onto the ship in question. However, the shipping company has the option to resubmit the ESumA with all the necessary changes for loading on the next ship.