EU ICS2 No MRN, No Load: a 30 September checkpoint for Vietnam exporters

Vietnam exporters with cargo moving to or transiting through the European Union have a new document-control checkpoint to watch before the end of September. Maersk says it will implement a **No MRN, No Load** policy effective **30 September 2026** for cargo that requires an Entry Summary Declaration under the EU Import Control System 2 (ICS2).

What changes on 30 September

For vessels arriving at the applicable first load port on or after 30 September 2026, Maersk says cargo requiring an ICS2 Movement Reference Number (MRN) must have a valid MRN before loading. If a valid MRN has not been obtained at least 24 hours before vessel arrival at the compliance load port, the cargo may be excluded from the load list and rolled to a later vessel.

This is a carrier implementation notice, not a claim that every Vietnam export shipment needs the same filing workflow. Applicability depends on the cargo movement and whether an ICS2 Entry Summary Declaration is required.

Why Vietnam exporters should care

For Vietnam-to-Europe shipments, a missing or late compliance reference can become an operational problem even when the cargo itself is physically ready. That means document readiness should be checked alongside booking confirmation, VGM, customs clearance, terminal cut-off and other pre-departure milestones.

The issue also matters when Europe is a transit point rather than the final commercial destination. Maersk states that its policy applies to cargo requiring ICS2 filing that is moving **to or transiting through the European Union**.

Practical pre-loading checklist

• Confirm whether the shipment is subject to an ICS2 Entry Summary Declaration.
• Confirm which party is responsible for the filing and MRN workflow for the booking.
• Check that the shipment data used for the filing matches the transport documents and booking details.
• Do not leave the MRN check until cargo cut-off day; Maersk's notice uses a 24-hour-before-vessel-arrival checkpoint at the applicable compliance load port.
• If routing, transshipment or carrier changes, re-check whether the compliance path changes as well.

For Spain and Italy cargo

Vietnam exporters moving cargo toward Barcelona, Valencia, Genoa, La Spezia or other EU gateways should add the MRN question to their document checklist before the late-September effective date. The safest approach is to verify the requirement against the actual carrier, routing and shipment rather than assume one process applies to every booking.

BYJ operating note

When requesting a current sailing or freight check from Vietnam to Europe, include the origin, destination, commodity, HS code if available, container or cargo volume, cargo-ready date and Incoterm. BYJ can then review the commercial routing context with the shipment details; customs and ICS2 filing responsibility should still be confirmed for the actual booking before loading.

This page is an operational alert based on the carrier notice available on 16 September 2026. Carrier procedures and regulatory implementation can change, so re-check the source and booking-specific instructions before shipment.