As announced by the National Advance Information Center (NAIC) of the U.A.E., the 6-digit HS Code will be mandatory in the FWB and FHL messages for all shipments in their Advance Cargo Information (ACI) Program.
The minimum requirement is the 6-digit HS code, which is validated using the HS code list of the World Customs Organization (WCO), i.e., chapter, heading and subheading. 8- and 10-digit codes will also be accepted, but the validation is only based on the first 6-digits. If an ACI filing does not include the 6-digit HS codes or the filing includes invalid HS codes, such filing will be automatically rejected by the NAIC ACI system. The submitted HS codes shall match the accurate nature of the goods on the airway bill documents.
UAE Advance Cargo Information – Frequently asked questions
At what stage of the freight forwarding process does SWISS transmit the HS Code to UAE customs?
SWISS forwards the HS Codes to UAE customs as soon as the data has been received from the customer
At what point in time should the customer transmit the electronic shipment data (FHL/FWB)?
The sooner the better – in any case data must be transmitted before hand-over to the airline
Can a customer send messages in CXML standard to SWISS?
Yes, CXML can be sent. The respective EDI-provider will take care of the conversion from CXML to IATA CIMP as SWISS can only process CIMP-messages.
What are the new data elements required for ICS2 to be provided by the customer?
Additionally to the correct and descriptive goods description the corresponding valid 6-digit HS code is mandatory for each item in the consignment
Are HS Codes required on master level for consolidations?
No. HS Codes for consolidations are only required on house level. HS Codes on master level are only required for direct shipments without house AWBs.
How many HS-codes can be transmitted in FWB –and FHL-messages?
As SWISS can only process IATA CIMP messages via EDI-providers , the limitation in the SWISS system is as follows:
- 1 HS-code in the FWB-message
- up to 9 HS-codes in a single FHL-message
- In case of consolidation , the most prominent HS-code shall be declared in the FWB-message
Where in the FWB -and FHL-message shall the HS-codes be declared?
- The harmonized commodity code shall be declared in the rating part of the FWB-message:
FWB/17
724-12344321SFOZRH/T2K50.0MC0.5
…
RTD/1/P2/K50.0/CQ/W50/R5.0/T250.00
/NG/CONSOLIDATION
/2/NG/NOT RESTRICTED
/3/NH/063020
- The harmonized commodity code shall be declared here in the FHL-message:
FHL/5
MBI/724-12344321SFOZRH/T2K50
HBS/Y277840/SFOZRH/1/K20//PHARMACEUTICALS
TXT/
HTS/063020
/063021
/063022
/063023
…
Will the handling agent contracted by SWISS add missing Customs Tariff codes (HS codes)?
- No. In case HS codes are missing, the shipment is not ready and cannot be accepted (RCS). The forwarding agent is responsible to provide correct and complete HS codes. Additionally, the handling agent would not be in the position to decide, if codes are missing or complete.
- In case the handling agent needs to capture an entire bill (house or master), the HS Codes must also be captured – therefore, the HS Code(s) need to be provided by the customer on the paper AWB.
Can the customer provide the HS codes as paper list to SWISS to add them to the already sent FWB/FHL data?
No. All data needs to be transmitted electronically. Customers, who are not able to add HS codes in their system, can use the SWISS eBooking tool to transmit FWB -and FHL data including HS codes and EORI numbers
Does the HS Code requirement also apply to postal consignments?
No. The HS Code is only required for shipments transported covered under a Cargo AWB.