EU customs rules prompt surcharges

DENMARK'S Maersk Line, French carrier CMA CGM and the Danish Unifeeder Line will impose surcharges on each bill of lading from January 1 to recover costs imposed by new EU customs regulations.

Because EU customs now demands cargo information 24 hours before sailing, CMA CGM is introducing a Customs Documentation Charge of US$25 per bill of lading while Maersk Line will levy the same as a Cargo Data Declaration Fee and Unifeeder will add a EUR23 (US$30) per bill of lading too, reports London's International Freighting Weekly.

Said CMA CGM: "This regulation generates additional costs for CMA CGM, as it will have an impact on its day-to-day operation and administration. CMA CGM bears the fixed IT and administrative costs of interfacing with EU customs, either directly or through third-party providers."

Maersk Line said the charge covered "day-to-day operating and administrative costs, the cost of interfacing with customs through third-party service providers, fixed IT and admin costs of establishing interface to customs and handling amendments to the advance manifest (to be reviewed after four months)".

Said Unifeeder: "The vessel operator is responsible for lodging an entry summary declaration (ENS) for all goods discharged in an EU port, including transhipment goods and those remaining onboard. This demand will have a considerable cost impact on the feeder operator[s]."
(Source:www.schednet.com)