Navigating the complexities of customs security can be challenging. That’s why we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist you with the Import Control System 2 (ICS2)/ ENS. Whether you’re a logistics provider, a business engaged in import activities, or simply seeking clarity on the new customs security measures within the EU, our FAQ section is here to provide you with detailed answers and insights. Dive in to find guidance on a range of topics from data requirements to operational procedures, all designed to streamline your experience with ICS2.
Customs action at the external border plays an essential role in protecting citizens and the internal market against safety and security threats. Advance cargo information and risk analysis will enable early identification of threats and help customs to intervene at the most appropriate place in supply chain.
For customs purposes, security and safety risks cover a range of issues including explosives in air cargo, narcotics, precursors, dangerous fake medicines, dangerous toys or electronics, contaminated foods, weapons, and all types of organised smuggling.
New threats like postal delivery of lethal synthetic opiates are now emerging. Organised groups use entry point shipping and arrange their supply chains to evade detection, innovating on a continuous basis.
At the same time, the volume of consignments supervised by customs is multiplying due to changes in the global trade business models generated by e-commerce. New advance data for goods in postal consignments will offer new opportunities as well as challenges.
ICS2 is a large-scale EU information system supporting the following
processes:
Entry of the goods into the EU is a 5-step process, consisting of:
ICS2 business process scope covers three steps out of five: lodging the ENS, the notification of the arrival of the means of transport and the presentation of goods.
ICS2 will support the communication of advance cargo information for safety and security risk analysis on the entry of goods into the EU for the following transport modes: maritime, air, road, rail and inland waterways. General cargo, express and postal business models will also be affected by ICS2.
No. ICS2 will fully replace ICS1 with an entirely new business process in accordance with the Union Customs Code legal requirements and the strategic operational needs expressed in the EU Customs Risk Management Strategy and Action Plan(adopted in 2014). Furthermore, ICS2 enables multiple filing of advance cargo information for application of Article 127 (6) of the Union Customs Code and involves more supply chain actors and business models as per Article 127 (4) of the Union Customs Code, with the goal of collecting better quality and timely data related to the goods supply chains.
They will operate in parallel for a limited period of time. After the roll-out of ICS2 Release 3 on 1 March 2024, ICS1 will be phased out after a transitional period of 200 days.
The ICS2 Transition Strategy and Plan foresees implementation of the new system and consequently new Entry Summary Declaration requirements and related business and risk management processes in three operational releases.
An express consignment is a single item conveyed by or under the responsibility of an express carrier.
An express carrier is an operator providing integrated services of expedited/time- definite collection, transport, customs clearance and delivery of parcels whilst tracking the location of, and maintaining control over, such items throughout the supply of the service.
Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) is the act whereby a person informs the customs authorities, in the prescribed form and manner and within a specific time limit, that goods are to be brought into the customs territory of the Union.
ENS filing means either partial or full ENS data set required by the legislation per specific mode of transport or business model.
A multiple filing means that an ENS is composed of two or more partial ENS filings (i.e. two or more prescribed data sets), which together form an ENS declaration.
ICS2, as an evolution of ICS1, introduces enhanced security features and improved risk management using advanced data analytics and real-time processing. This updated system demands more detailed data from supply chain operators at an earlier stage. It’s designed to improve threat assessments and streamline trade processes. The enhancements in ICS2 also include a more comprehensive approach to data collection, focusing on the entire supply chain, and integrating a higher level of automation to identify and mitigate potential risks more effectively.
ICS2 is expected to streamline customs declarations by automating risk assessments. While this could lead to quicker processing times for low-risk shipments, it requires traders to adapt to new data requirements and procedures. Initially, there might be a learning curve and some delays as operators adjust to the system. However, in the long run, the automation and enhanced data analysis should lead to increased efficiency and reduced waiting times for most shipments, contributing to a more fluid movement of goods across borders.
For ICS2 compliance, traders need to submit detailed and comprehensive data sets. This includes in-depth information about the consignor, consignee, and the goods being transported, such as product classification codes, quantities, and descriptions. This data must be provided earlier in the shipping process than before, enabling customs to conduct more thorough risk assessments upfront. The aim is to create a transparent, data-rich environment that allows for preemptive security and safety measures.
Non-compliance with ICS2 regulations can have serious implications. Businesses might face delays in shipment processing, monetary fines, and in more severe cases, denial of entry for goods. Repeated non-compliance can result in escalated sanctions, including increased scrutiny in future shipments. This underscores the importance of understanding and adhering to the new regulations to avoid disruptions in supply chain operations.
ICS2 is designed to integrate with existing supply chain management systems using standardized data formats and protocols. This integration may necessitate updates or upgrades to existing systems to ensure seamless data transmission and full compliance. The goal is to facilitate efficient data exchange between various stakeholders in the supply chain, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and security of the trade process.
The ENS must be lodged by the carrier. However, it can also be lodged by the importer, consignee, or any party able to present the goods to Customs. In combined transport, the responsible carrier is the operator of the active means of transport entering the EU.
Businesses should start by auditing their current processes to identify areas needing alignment with ICS2 requirements. Updating IT systems for compatibility, training staff on new procedures, and engaging with customs officials for detailed understanding are crucial steps. Trial submissions can be beneficial to test system readiness. Proactive communication with supply chain partners to ensure alignment and preparedness is also key to a smooth transition.
ICS2 enhances security by using advanced risk assessment technologies to analyze data on goods before they enter the customs territory. This proactive approach allows for earlier identification and interception of potential threats. Improved data analysis capabilities enable customs to make more informed decisions, thereby elevating the overall security of the supply chain and reducing the risk of illicit activities.
PLACI refers to a specific type of partial ENS filing, which is the mandatory minimum dataset (‘7+1’) to be filed as soon as possible prior to loading of the goods onto the aircraft in a third country. It is limited to air traffic only and covers all goods (i.e. general cargo, express consignments and postal consignments).
Pre-loading indicates the phase before the goods are loaded onto the means of transport that will bring them into the customs territory of the European Union.
Pre-arrival indicates the phase before the means of transport arrives in the customs territory of the European Union.
In general, the carrier bringing the goods into the customs territory of the European Union is obliged to lodge an ENS for those goods [Article 127 (4) UCC]. When the carrier does not have all legally required particulars of the ENS at its disposal, those particulars are to be filed by the person who holds those particulars and did not share them with the carrier. This will eventually enable the carrier to lodge a complete ENS [Article 127 (6) UCC; case of multiple filing].
Depending on the mode of transport, the ENS is to be filed within the following time limits:
Transport by sea
a) At the latest two hours before the arrival of the vessel at the first port of entry into the Union in case of goods coming from Greenland, Faeroe Islands, Iceland, ports on the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea or Morocco;
b) The same two hours apply in cases where the goods are coming from other third country territories and enter the customs territory of the Union, the French overseas departments, the Azores, Madeira or the Canary Islands and the duration of the vessel’s journey is less than 24 hours;
c) At the latest four hours before the arrival of the vessel for bulk cargo in other cases than a) or b) above;
d) For containerised cargo in other cases than a) and b) 24 hours before the goods are loaded onto the vessel which will bring them into the customs territory of the Union.
Transport by air
e) The ENS, or when it is not possible, the minimum data set for air pre-loading, shall be lodged as early as possible but at the latest before the goods are loaded onto the aircraft which will bring them into the customs territory of the Union;
f) When only minimum data set was lodged under (e), the complete ENS shall be lodged at the time of actual departure of the aircraft when the duration of the flight is less than four hours;
g) For other flights than those mentioned under f), the complete ENS is to be lodged four hours before the arrival of the aircraft at the first airport in the customs territory of the Union.
Transport by rail
h) When the train voyage takes less than two hours from the last train formation station outside the customs territory of the Union to the first point of entry into the customs territory, the ENS is to be lodged at the latest one hour before the train arrives at the border entry point of the Union;
i) In other cases than those mentioned under h), the ENS is to be lodged at the latest two hours before the train arrives at the entry point of the Union.
Transport by road
The ENS shall be lodged at the latest one hour before the goods arrive at the entry point of the Union.
Transport by inland waterways
The ENS shall be lodged at the latest two hours before the goods arrive at the entry point of the Union.
In the scenarios the carrier is acting as person filing (by lodging F20, F21, F27, F28, F29 or F10, F11, F12 and F13), then they will receive the notifications related to the messages filed (when applicable).
However, the economic operator (EO) will have to setup its default communication path and notification preferences via the Shared Trader Portal (STP). Then they will receive the notification via S2S or U2S, depending on what channel they used in the configured default communication path.
Any EO operator (including carriers) not acting as person filing, who wants to receive notifications, should setup its preferences and “Default Communication Path” access point through the STP, via “manage preferences” section. The channel can be set to STP (related notification can be checked by STP application) or to S2S via which messages with notifications will be send. (Please bear in mind that to access and use the STP, any EO needs to be registered in UUM&DS).
Any EO who wants to access the STP, needs to be user of UUM&DS and needs to contact the National Administration who grants ICS2 STP related roles.
To learn more about UUM&DS, it is possible to attend the online course by accessing the following URL: UUM&DS system: Your passport to EU applications
Following roles are defined for STP:
Please bear in mind that National Administrations Service Desk (NSD) could support EOs who are having issues with their UUM&DS account or STP access, for the setup of system configuration and notification preferences. For the additional information, please check related training video in CIRCABC
Both the person filing and the carrier (if known to ICS2 system, meaning, if carrier is not person filing but has their preferences correctly set in the ICS2 STP) will always receive the DNL notifications (IE3Q01) via the S2S, if that is the channel used to lodge the filing. Either way, the DNL notification will also be visible in the STP.
ICS2 system needs to know the details of the EO (primarily, the partyID) to determine how to dispatch the messages or notifications and will use the channel used by the person filing to dispatch messages. Meaning, ICS2 will dispatch the messages and notifications to the EO via S2S if that was the way the filing was lodged. Otherwise, will send the notifications via U2S if the U2S was the channel used by the person filing.
For notifications for EO that are not the person filing, the system will act depending on the preferences set by the actor via the STP)
By default, following notifications are send both via U2S and S2S channel
The system will act depending on the preferences set by the actor via the STP. Furthermore, if ITSP sends messages on behalf of EO (House level and Carrier) then it is acting as a sender and its communication channel is set by default to S2S interface of ITSP.
The following are optional notifications for Carriers that could be set in the STP:
The EO should configure its preferences in STP to receive any notification, as the ICS2 system needs to know the partyID and the communication channel preferred by the EO in order to dispatch them.
Nonetheless, please bear in mind that in the case an ITSP is used or EO is using its own IT system to send S2S messages, all the notifications aimed to the person filing are by default sent via the same channel. Furthermore, please note that the default settings for the carriers is that the notifications (IE3N03, IE3N04 and IE3N05) are disabled, therefore, to receive them, you need to login into STP and enabled them, even if the communication goes via S2S (the ITSP interface).
The following messages will always be sent to the person filing, when applicable:
Yes, customs authorities and trade associations frequently offer training sessions, guidance documents, and resources to support businesses in transitioning to ICS2. These may include online resources, webinars, and dedicated support services. Businesses should utilize these resources to fully understand the system’s requirements and ensure compliance. Contact Trade Tech to find out more or visit the EU site for more information.
Freight forwarders play a critical role in ICS2 compliance. They are responsible for submitting accurate and complete data on behalf of their clients to customs authorities. This includes ensuring all necessary information, like shipment details and compliance documents, is collected and communicated in line with ICS2 regulations. Their role is pivotal in ensuring that the entire supply chain adheres to the new standards.
E-commerce and small business importers will need to adapt to ICS2 by providing necessary data earlier in the shipment process. This adaptation might involve streamlining data collection and submission processes. ICS2 could offer benefits such as streamlined procedures for recognized and compliant traders, potentially reducing administrative burdens and improving efficiency for small businesses and e-commerce platforms.
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