On 18 July the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) released its 28-page “Guidelines on the Exchange of Electronic Advance Data (EAD) between Designated Operators and Customs Administrations”, following its adoption by the WCO Council at the end of June.
The WCO SAFE Framework of Standards (2018 edition) specifically provides for the submission of electronic advance data on all postal items, and pre-loading advance data (7+1 data elements: Annex III in the SAFE Framework of Standards) where the latter system is implemented by members based on their security risk assessment as an additional layer or multi-layered approach to aviation security.
There are other global developments in terms of some countries/unions introducing specific legal/regulatory provisions for the obligatory submission of advance electronic information in respect of postal shipments. Examples include the European Union (EU) Union Customs Code (UCC), which came into force on 01 May 2016 and stipulates that CN23 data should be provided by postal operators for postal items before loading (subject to a transitional period until 15 March 2021), and the United States of America’s Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act that came into effect in October 2018.
The WCO and the UPU have also been providing technical assistance to Customs administrations and postal operators in this domain, based on their needs and requirements.
Story by: Riaan de Lange