Are you shipping to Ireland or Northern Ireland? See what changes will affect your business from May 6, 2026.
From January 1, 2026, for shipments to Ireland and Northern Ireland transported by road with transit through the United Kingdom, it is required to submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) and a T2 document in the Import Control System ICS2.
ICS2 (Import Control System 2) is an EU IT system used to submit goods data before they enter the EU. The system performs a security risk analysis by assessing shipment data in real time. Based on this, it decides whether the goods can be transported or if further inspection is required.
The declaration in the ICS2 system is submitted by the carrier, in the case of your shipments – DHL eCommerce. We will handle all formalities related to shipping to Ireland and Northern Ireland on your behalf. You just need to ensure that you provide accurate and complete information about the shipment contents, such as:
• item name in English
• 6-digit HS code of the item (check more here)
• number of items
• item weight in kg
• item value in the selected currency (this is optional, but providing it may speed up the declaration process)
The Entry Summary Declaration form, through which the data can be submitted, will be made available in DHL systems on May 6, 2026. Missing or incorrect information will prevent your shipment from being transported. Make sure you are able to provide DHL with the required data.
Pay attention to precise descriptions of goods
When describing the contents, provide the exact name of the shipped item. Do not use vague or general product descriptions, as this may result in the shipment being held or even rejected at the border. Here you can find a list of “stop words” – words that will result in a negative assessment by ICS2 when used in the ENS.
The description should focus on what the item is, not on its function or purpose of shipment. The goal is for the item to be immediately recognizable to someone unfamiliar with your company or product range, for example a customs officer.
Avoid general terms such as “accessories,” “toys,” “clothing,” or “car parts.” Instead, use clear, specific product names, as shown in the examples below.
Incorrect description | Correct description |
accessories | plastic soap dispenser, bamboo cutting board |
toys | porcelain doll in a dress, set of domestic animal figurines |
clothing | men’s cotton t-shirt, women’s satin dress |
car parts | car brakes, windshield washer fluid reservoir |
No customs clearance fee will be charged for shipments to Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Entry Summary Declaration is not required for Return Connect shipments from Ireland.
Check how to provide this data directly in the DHL24 system and DHL24 WebAPI.