Kewill expands ICS connectivity to Spain & Luxembourg

Kewill, a provider of solutions that simplify global trade and logistics, has announced it is live with the Import Control System (ICS) in both Spain and Luxembourg and is exchanging real-time data on behalf of its customers with the respective local Customs authorities. This follows earlier announcements that ICS connectivity for the UK, Germany, Austria, Poland, France and Czech Republic had been successfully achieved and operationally deployed.

Since its introduction at the beginning of the year, ICS, which is a mandatory electronic Customs procedure designed to improve security by providing advance visibility of shipments into Europe, has proved particularly challenging to implement, with each individual country having issued separate specifications around the format and process of data exchange.

Electronic Customs specialist Kewill is continuing to work quickly towards achieving connectivity for all remaining European countries, by leveraging its extensive domain experience and network of European partners in order to meet the individual ICS requirements of each local Customs authority, through its suite of software solutions; Kewill CustomsXchange, Zabis and Air Cargo Pool.

Kewill believes that by achieving pan-European ICS connectivity, it can significantly reduce the burden of managing this complex process for its customers, who include a number of high-profile global air cargo providers handling thousands of shipments made across the globe each day, and for whom ICS compliance is both crucial and time-critical.

Jacquie Boast, Chief Operating Officer for EMEA at Kewill, commented "Based on the specific requirements of our customers, we are delighted with the addition of Spain and Luxembourg to the list of countries operationally live with the Kewill ICS solution, and this represents further excellent progress towards Kewill's goal of delivering Europe-wide ICS coverage. ICS is no longer a new procedure, and the grace period initially extended by the EU is almost over. Shippers who do not comply will start to experience the full impact of delays to shipments and fines, and we urge those without adequate arrangements in place to consider the impact of non-compliance in terms of disruption to their and their customers' business."