Understanding the European Union’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2)

The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the European Union's advanced system for managing the safety and security of goods entering its territory, and it's a major update that affects everyone involved in shipping to the EU and the UK. ICS2 applies not only to goods being imported into Europe but also to those transiting through the region en route to third countries, as many couriers utilize major European hubs to facilitate the transportation of goods.

Whether you're an online retailer, logistics handler, or postal worker, here's what you need to know about ICS2, who it affects, how shipping processes are changing, and why you might experience delays as businesses adjust.

As ICS2 is rolled out in phases, many carriers, postal services, and businesses will be adjusting their systems and processes to meet the new requirements. This could lead to delays for a number of reasons:

• Data accuracy issues: If businesses or individuals fail to provide complete or accurate shipping data, their goods may be held up. A shipment missing key details, such as a proper description or recipient address, won’t be cleared for transport or entry.
• Carriers facing non-compliance penalties: If a carrier or postal operator allows an inadequately described shipment onto a flight, they can face penalties. This may result in more cautious processing of shipments, slowing down the entire shipping process.
• Adjustments to new IT systems: As carriers and authorities transition to using ICS2, there may be technical hiccups, leading to slower processing times.

• Phase 1 (March 2021) focused on air express and postal pre-loading.
• Phase 2 (March 2023) extended to air cargo and postal operations.
• Phase 3 (June 2024) will apply to maritime, with road and rail coming in April 2025.

During each phase, new sets of rules and requirements are implemented, meaning there may be intermittent disruptions as different transport sectors adapt.

To minimize delays, all businesses involved in shipping to Europe must ensure compliance with ICS2 by:

• Providing complete and detailed package descriptions: Avoid vague terms like “goods” or “merchandise.” Instead, be specific, for example, “Men’s leather shoes, size 10.”
• Ensuring accurate sender and recipient information: This includes full names, addresses, and contact details.
• Obtaining EORI numbers for business-to-business (B2B) shipments: The recipient’s Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number must be included for customs clearance. Failing to provide this can prevent goods from entering the EU.
• Working with your carrier: Carriers will be stricter about data accuracy, so it’s important to double-check all information before passing your shipment on to them.

Shoppers using our parcel forwarding services need to provide detailed descriptions of the items contained in their package when creating their shipments to comply with the new ICS2 regulations. 

Accurate and specific descriptions, such as "Men's leather wallet" rather than just "Wallet," help forwarders and carriers submit the necessary information to customs authorities, allowing for smoother risk assessment and faster clearance. 

Additionally, uploading invoices from the retailer provides essential documentation that verifies the contents of the package, helping us to further streamline the process. This not only decreases the chances of delays caused by vague or incomplete data but also improves the efficiency of shipment processing within our facilities, ensuring that packages are processed and dispatched more quickly. 

Find out how to upload your purchase invoices and how this helps us process your shipment faster on our Incoming Package page. 

ICS2 is designed to improve safety and security across Europe. By screening goods before they enter, the EU hopes to prevent dangerous or illegal items from crossing its borders. This data-driven customs approach is more aligned with modern global business models and aims to facilitate the free flow of trade while enhancing safety measures.

While the transition to ICS2 may cause temporary delays as businesses adjust, it ultimately helps create a safer and more efficient trading environment. 

By staying informed about ICS2 requirements and ensuring that all shipping data is accurate and complete, businesses can minimize delays and ensure smooth entry for their goods into the European Union. 

Further reading: European Commission: Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union. (2020). ICS2 : the new EU customs advance cargo information system. Publications Office of the European Union.