After aviation, maritime shipping and inland shipping, road and rail will soon also be subject to the EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) requirements. This has implications for economic operators that import goods to the EU, Norway, Switzerland and Northern Ireland: they will need to submit data about the transported goods to a new system prior to arrival at the EU’s customs authorities.
The new requirement to submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to ICS2 for rail imports goes into effect ahead of the phasing out of ICS1. ICS2 will be mandated from 1 September 2025 for rail carriers, and ICS1 will be phased out entirely by that date. From April onwards, rail carriers can start to connect to ICS2 and file their ENS’s.
The ENS contains safety and security information about the transported goods, containing a complete commercial description, an HS6 digit commodity code, and additional details of the involved parties, such as the buyer and seller.
Safety and security
The EU explains that the ENS “enables customs authorities to better assess the risks associated with incoming goods, thereby improving the EU’s ability to prevent and combat customs offenses, and ultimately ensuring a safer and more secure trade environment.”
The requirement applies not only to imports, but also goods being transported through the EU. The obligation also extends to postal and express carriers. In some instances, final consignees in the EU will also need to submit ENS data to ICS2.
How to make sure your business is in compliance with ICS2 requirements?
– Collect accurate and complete data from clients: e.g. consignment notes, commercial invoices, additional details of involved parties
– Update IT systems and operational processes to connect with ICS2, or get an IT service provider to do it for you
– Provide adequate training to staff
– Complete a self-conformance test ahead of connecting to ICS2
Economic operators that will not be ready by April 2025 need to contact the National Service Desk of the EU Member state where they are registered and have obtained their EORI number. They can request a deployment window by 1 March 2025. The European Commission organises monthly webinars to aid businesses in adapting to ICS2 requirements, with the next webinar taking place on 5 February.