The EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is soon becoming available (and required) for the rail sector. Rail importers in the EU, Norway, Switzerland and Northern Ireland will have to submit data on their goods to the new system.
From 1 April onwards, rail carriers can start to connect to ICS2 and file their data on imported goods there. In order to file such data, they will need to submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to the new system.
An 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.
Deadlines
The new requirement to submit ENS’s to ICS2 for rail imports goes into effect ahead of the phasing out of ICS1. Its successor ICS2 will, in principle, be mandated from 1 April 2025 for rail carriers, and ICS1 will be phased out entirely by 1 September. Businesses that were unable to make the 1 April deadline were encouraged to apply for an extended deployment window at the National Service Desk of the EU Member state where they are registered and have obtained their EORI number by 1 March.