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ICS2 Regulation

ICS stands for Import Control System and is the electronic security screening system for goods destined to, or in transit through, the European Union (EU*), Switzerland and Norway.

ICS2 is the enhanced EU security screening system with improved data-driven customs security processes. Find out more details about ICS2, from the European Commission.

The most significant changes that became applicable with ICS2 are that pre-load filing and pre-arrival security filing messages must be submitted to European Country Customs Authorities on a much more granular level.

Security filing requires compliant goods description, the respective Harmonized System (HS) code for each shipment item (line item), as well as weight, payment and packing type, amongst other things.

In addition, the EU applies automated validation checks that reject ICS2 filings with invalid Consignee EORI numbers. A valid Consignee EORI must be included in the FWB and/or FHL message, in line with the official EU EORI database.

Without these fields the shipment security filing cannot be submitted, and the shipment will be stopped.

We rely on high quality electronic messaging from the customer to be able to meet the legal requirements and timelines. The shipper is liable for storage fees resulting from non-compliance with ICS2 requirements.

To avoid delays, the shipper must send complete and compliant electronic MAWB/HAWB messaging to the carrier prior to tendering cargo, and the earlier the better. These must include:

  • HS Code (6 digits)
  • Accurate goods description
  • Valid EORI number

We remind shippers that accurate descriptions using detailed, precise and plain language are mandated by all customs authorities globally.

The detailed description per commodity should indicate:

  • What the goods are for
  • The purpose for which the goods are to be used
  • What they are made of
For example, “Women’s t-shirts made of 100% cotton”.
ICS2 authorities have indicated that they will disregard generic goods descriptions such as “gifts”, “samples”, “spare parts”, “equipment”, “clothes”, “textiles”, etc. Be specific.
 

Read our EU Entry and Transit Customs Requirements

*European Union (EU) countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. NOTE: Northern Ireland is considered an entry point to the European Union, therefore shipments to (or transiting via) Northern Ireland are also impacted, as well as shipments destined to (or transiting via) other EU territories (e.g. French Guyana, etc.)