Starting April 1, the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) will encompass all modes of transport.
The European Union's Import Control System 2 (ICS2) will enhance the security of goods entering the EU through standardized customs checks prior to arrival for all modes of transport. This will extend to road and rail transport in addition to the existing requirements for air, sea, and inland waterway transport.
It is noted that starting from April 1, 2025, road and rail carriers must provide data on goods being sent to or through the European Union before their arrival using a complete ENS. This obligation applies to postal and express carriers, as well as other participants such as logistics service providers. Under certain circumstances, final consignees registered in the EU will also need to provide ENS data in ICS2.
Economic operators who are not prepared by this date must submit a request to the National Support Service of the EU member state (national customs authority) where they are registered and have obtained their EORI number for a transition period no later than March 1, 2025.
In order to comply with ICS2 requirements, companies should gather accurate and complete data from customers, update their IT systems and operational processes, and ensure proper training for employees. Economic operators must successfully complete a self-assessment test prior to connecting to ICS2 to verify their ability to access and exchange messages with customs authorities.
It is emphasized that goods may be delayed at the EU borders, and customs authorities may not process them if traders do not timely fulfill the ICS2 requirements.
Who will be affected by these changes?
- Carriers transporting by sea, inland waterways, as well as by road and rail;
- Transport and forwarding companies;
- Final consignees (in the maritime sector);
- Postal operators;
- Express carriers.
What else needs to be done for technical preparation?
The party submitting ENS data (you or your ITSP) to ICS2 must take the following steps:
1. Ensure you have a registration and identification number
of the economic operator (Economic Operators Registration and
Identification, EORI), assigned by the customs authority of one of the EU member
states.
2. Contact the responsible national customs administration and provide
your plan regarding the testing for self-assessment and the commencement
of operations within ICS2.
3. Develop or update your IT system based on the latest general
functional and technical specifications of the ICS2 system (CFSS and CTSS).
4. Obtain the necessary digital certificates from the certification center from the
list of trusted lists (List of Trusted Lists, LOTL) to verify your
identity (applies only to the Sender).
5. Complete the mandatory testing for self-assessment.
For reference.
ICS2 was developed in close collaboration with the European Commission, the customs authorities of EU member states, and businesses.
As of September 1, 2025, ICS1 will be gradually phased out. ICS2 will replace ICS1 with a new operational process in accordance with the Customs Code of the Union.
Background. Earlier, Mind reported that in 2024, Ukraine imported goods worth $70.7 billion, primarily from China and Poland. The total trade turnover amounted to $112.3 billion, which is 13% more than in 2023.