ICS2 is the European Union's new computerized customs system that collects data on goods before they arrive on the territory. It is an enhancement to the customs security and safety program that will soon apply to all shipments entering the EU. Find out in this article what this new system consists of and what are the impacts for importers.
What is ICS2?
The Import Control System (ICS or ICS1) is a computerized import control system. Implemented by the European Union in 2011 to control goods entering its territory, the Import Control System is based on a declaration made to customs before loading goods destined for the Union.
The ICS2 reinforces this EU border protection system. In particular, it adds new data and prerequisites to be checked before the shipment departure. It was first deployed for "express" air freight and postal freight. Since March 1, 2023, ICS2 also applies to "general" air cargo.
Indeed, the parties involved in the logistics chain must declare a precise list of data in the European Union's computerized control system: the Import Control System. This information is transmitted via "Entry Summary Declarations" (ENS) filed before the goods are loaded.
An automated risk analysis allows Customs to validate or not these declarations and thus the entry of the goods into the European Union. With ICS2, additional data and a new declaration mode are added to the existing system.
In short, the ICS2 is a new version of the EU entry summary declarations.
📅 Deployment Schedule:
As of March 1, 2023, ICS2 has been implemented in 17 countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.
12 countries have obtained a derogation for a postponement to June 30, 2023: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
As an importer, what is really changing and how do I prepare?
Importers are not directly affected by the changes. However, they remain responsible for the data that must be transmitted to the operators in charge of the entry summary declarations.
In order to be ready when the system is fully deployed by all EU countries and operators, OVRSEA gives you its advice to better manage your imports:
- Anticipate the collection of important data to be transmitted to your forwarder: HS Code, EORI, shippers' details... For each country, you will need to be able to identify the shipper's name and address.
- Depending on the Incoterm chosen, identify to whom the information should be transmitted.
⚠️ Warning! In case of insufficient or late filing, customs may refuse to allow the shipment to be loaded onto the plane or block it at the EU customs borders.
What is the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS)?
ENS stands for Entry Summary Declaration. This declaration is required by the EU to assess the security of incoming goods at EU ports or airports. It is a list of several data that carriers must submit to the local customs of destination before the goods departure.
💡 For importers or exporters familiar with the US system, this is similar to the "AMS" declaration.
With ICS2, the list of data to be declared expands. Longer and more complete, the declaration is now divided into two parts:
- the ENS PLACI (Pre-loading Advance Cargo Information) which consists of a list of 8 data to be transmitted imperatively before the flight departure.
- the full ENS which includes about 200 additional data to be transmitted before the flight arrival : including the HS code and the importer's EORI.
ICS2 allows for the transmission of this data in two different ways: "Simple Filing" and "Multiple Filing". As an importer, it is the entities designated to make these declarations that will be responsible for transmitting the data.
More specifically, the procedure is as follows:
- the importer shares the required information about his shipment with his forwarder
- the freight forwarder transmits this information to the carrier using a predefined ENS format
- the carrier updates this data in his declaration system and submits the ENS data (PLACI and then Full) to the European customs in the computer system (the Import Control System).
- the carrier waits for the return of the European customs: green light or refusal to load.
🎯 The goal? To collect information on all EU-bound goods before they arrive to the territory. The system allows the authorities of the EU customs territory toensure by strengthening the security of its inhabitants.
💡 The essentials to remember when managing your imports:
Importers are not necessarily directly responsible for entry declarations. They remain the holders of the necessary information to be transmitted. For this, it is important to :
- Know your EORI and HS Codes (SH6)
- Send as much information as possible to your freight forwarder
- Inform your freight forwarder in case of changes in your goods or suppliers
As a freight forwarder, OVRSEA can assist you in the preparation of your imports. With the help of our partners, we ensure that all the data necessary for the proper conduct of operations will be available and transmitted on time.
For any questions about ICS2 and its implementation in the European Union, please contact josephine@ovrsea.com.
