Chapman Freeborn, the global aircraft charter specialist and part of Avia Solutions Group, has launched an in-house Import Control System 2 (ICS2) declaration service for companies moving cargo into or through Europe.
Developed by Chapman Freeborn’s specialist team in Germany, the service has already been rolled out across Avia Solutions Group and is now available to external customers, including shippers, freight forwarders and logistics providers without their own ICS2 capability.
Credit: Chapman Freeborn
Managing mandatory declarations in-house
ICS2 is the European Union’s advanced cargo information and security system. It requires detailed shipment and safety data to be submitted through an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) before goods enter or transit the EU, Switzerland, Norway or Northern Ireland.
Customs authorities use this information to assess potential security risks before a shipment arrives. The requirements apply across air, sea, road and rail transport.
For companies without dedicated systems or trained personnel, preparing and submitting these declarations can add another layer to the process. This is particularly important for urgent, sensitive or high-value shipments, where incomplete information or delays can affect the wider cargo movement.
Chapman Freeborn’s German team has completed specialist training and can now prepare and submit the required declarations in-house. This reduces reliance on a separate filing provider and limits the number of parties involved in handling shipment information.
Supporting time-critical cargo movements
“Many customers know that the declaration is required, but they do not always have the systems or resources to manage it themselves, especially when a shipment is moving at short notice,” said James Gilliard, Vice President Cargo Sales Europe at Chapman Freeborn. “By handling the filing within the same team coordinating the movement, we can identify missing information earlier and help keep the process on track.”
The service extends Chapman Freeborn’s existing cargo support by bringing the declaration process into the wider planning and coordination of the shipment. It gives customers a more direct way to manage European inbound and transit requirements, particularly where timing and the careful handling of shipment information are essential.
“Bringing this capability into our own team is a natural development for Chapman Freeborn,” said Reto R. Hunziker, President Europe at Chapman Freeborn. “ICS2 has become an essential part of moving cargo into Europe, and customers increasingly need practical support in managing these requirements. Providing that support in-house strengthens the service we can offer while giving both our teams and customers closer oversight of the declaration process.”