Prepare your business for ICS2

ICS2 is an updated version of the EU’s original Import Control System (ICS). It is a pre-arrival IT security system that supports: 

• Lodging of the Entry Summary Declarations (ENS)

• Security and safety analysis by customs authorities

• Arrival of means of transport

• Presentation of goods to customs authorities and control of goods by customs where necessary

ICS2 is not an import customs system and it is not used to process the customs declarations for release into free circulation.

ICS2 aims to protect the EU borders and its citizens by collecting data on all goods entering the EU prior to their arrival. Advanced cargo information and risk analysis will enable early threat identification, facilitating customs authorities' intervention when necessary. ICS2 serves as the pre-arrival notification for safety and security risks, which must be submitted to the EU Shared Trader Interface system. Customs declarations, however, still need to be filed directly with the local customs authorities within their respective customs systems.

ICS2 introduces new regulations for cargo transport via sea, road, rail, and air. General cargo, express, and postal services will also be subject to ICS2 regulations. 

ICS2 applies to all goods originating from a third country and destined for or in transit through all European countries, including Norway, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland.

ICS2 will be rolled out gradually, with regulations taking effect upon its integration with the system:

• Maritime carriers will be required to connect with ICS2 between 3 Jun and 4 Dec 2024.  

• Maritime house-level filers must connect between 4 Dec 2024 and 1 Apr 2025.  

• Road and rail carriers must connect between 1 Apr and 1 Sep 2025.

The implementation of ICS2 means you will have to submit a broader range of information via an ENS to EU authorities before your shipments arrive at the border. The submission of the ENS will be done through ICS2. This means you will have to set up a system to connect to the EU Shared Trader Interface (STI) system, or you will have to provide ENS data to a third party that is connected to the system and can submit it on your behalf.

Your cargo can be denied entry at the EU border if your ENS declaration is not submitted in due time or if the cargo information provided is inaccurate. The cargo and ENS declaration will be inspected with the possibility of sanctions. 

With a connection to the EU Shared Trader Interface (STI) system, we offer both single and multiple filing solutions to help ensure your ENS declaration is submitted in compliance with ICS2 requirements. 

What is single filing?  With our single filing service, we create and submit the entire ICS2 filing to EU authorities. You are just responsible for providing us with your cargo details (house data) and master data and ensuring that it is accurate and sent to us on time.

What is a multiple filing? To use our multiple filing service, you must have a connection to the EU Shared Trader Interface (STI) system. We will file the master data to the EU authorities via the STI system. In due time, you must file your house level data directly to the EU STI system.

The trucking company is responsible for filing the entire ENS declaration and notifying the Shared Trade Interface system of its arrival. 

Accompanied vehicles must file a dataset for road traffic but within the timeline for sea freight.

For short sea, including all DFDS routes, ENS declarations must be filed within the EU Shared Trader Interface system at the latest two hours before arrival at the first EU port.