EU to introduce new import control system from June 3

The European Union (EU) is perfecting plans to introduce a new process for entry of goods by maritime and inland waterways, road, and rail in the EU from 3 June 2024.

According to the EU, the new Customs pre-arrival safety and security system known as Import Control System 2 (ICS2), is the third phase of the implementation and will extend safety and security data reporting requirements to all modes of transport.

With this third phase or release, maritime and inland waterways, road and rail carriers will also need to provide data on goods sent to or through the EU before their arrival, through a complete Entry Summary Declaration (ENS).

This obligation also concerns postal and express carriers who transport goods using these modes of transport as well as other parties, such as logistics providers. In certain circumstances, final consignees established in the EU will also have to submit ENS data to ICS2.

Traders are however advised to prepare in advance to avoid the risk of delays and non-compliance while affected businesses will be required to make sure they collect accurate and complete data from their clients, update their IT systems and operational processes, and provide adequate training to their staff.

From 11 December 2023, traders must complete a self-conformance test before connecting to ICS2 to verify their ability to access and exchange messages with Customs authorities.

EU Member States will grant authorisation, upon request, to the affected traders to gradually connect to ICS2 within a time-limited deployment window.

Member States can grant the deployment window anytime from June 3 2024 to December 4, 2024, for maritime and inland waterway carriers; December 4, 2024, to April 1, 2025, for maritime and inland waterway house level filers; and from April 1, 2025, to September 1, 2025 for road and rail carriers.

EU however warned that goods belonging to traders who failed to provide the data required under ICS2 will be stopped at the EU borders and will not be cleared by the Customs authorities.

The EU is a major player in international trade – it accounts for around 14 percent of the world’s trade in goods. By collecting safety and security data, EU Customs’ authorities will be able to detect risks earlier and intervene at the most appropriate point in the supply chain to keep trade safe for its citizens.