Maersk will stop loading cargo destined for or transiting through the European Union without a valid customs reference number from September 30.
The policy supports compliance with the EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2), which requires economic operators moving goods into or through the bloc to submit advance safety and security information through an Entry Summary Declaration.
The information allows EU customs authorities to assess the security risk associated with consignments before they arrive. ICS2 has been introduced progressively since 2021 and was extended to maritime and inland-waterway carriers in June 2024. Maritime house-level filers, including freight forwarders and consolidators, followed from December 2024.
Maersk said its new “No MRN, No Load” policy would apply to cargo requiring an ICS2 declaration.
A valid Movement Reference Number (MRN), confirming that the declaration has been accepted by EU Customs, must be obtained before affected cargo can be confirmed for loading.
If Maersk has not received the number at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives at the applicable loading port, the cargo will be excluded from the load list and could be rolled to a subsequent vessel.
Rejected customs filings must also be corrected and accepted before the cargo will be considered compliant.
The policy applies to relevant vessels arriving at the first applicable loading port on or after September 30.
Maersk has urged customers to submit complete and accurate shipping instructions ahead of the relevant documentation and customs deadlines.
Customers must provide a valid six-digit Harmonised System code for every cargo item and ensure that it accurately reflects the goods being shipped.
Detailed cargo descriptions will also be required. Broad descriptions such as “accessories”, “apparel” or “auto” will not be sufficient without further information identifying the actual commodity.
Freight forwarders and direct customers submitting shipping instructions through electronic data interchange or the Inttra portal must clearly identify the capacity in which they are acting.
Where required, customers must also provide a valid Economic Operators Registration and Identification number for the party responsible for submitting part of the declaration. Buyer, seller and house bill of lading information must be supplied in clearly separated fields.
Maersk warned that incorrect or incomplete information could result in customs validation failures, rejected manifests and shipment delays.
