The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the biggest change to European safety and security declarations in years. It is now mandatory for all goods entering the EU or Northern Ireland by road, rail and sea: the last transition periods for road freight ended in 2026.
If you move freight across the border, you likely already file an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS). However, ICS2 brought in strict new data requirements.
Failing to provide this extra data will result in your goods being stopped at the border. Here is the essential breakdown of what changed and what you must do.
What is ICS2?
ICS2 (Import Control System 2) is the EU's upgraded IT system for collecting data on goods before they arrive at the border.
While the original system (ICS1) was designed for basic risk assessment, ICS2 requires far more granular detail. It allows customs authorities to perform a high-level security screening in advance, flagging high-risk consignments before they even load onto a truck or vessel.
When ICS2 became mandatory for road
ICS2 Release 3, which covers sea, road and rail, started on 3 June 2024 for sea and inland waterways. For road, the deadlines have now all passed:
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1 April 2025 | Road and rail carriers could start filing their ENS in ICS2. |
| 1 September 2025 | The transition ended. Goods entering through most EU countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, had to be covered by an ENS filed in ICS2. |
| 1 January 2026 | A temporary derogation ended for France, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Finland, Lithuania and Northern Ireland. From this date, goods entering through them (including Dover–Calais and the ferry routes into Ireland and Northern Ireland) needed an ENS in ICS2. |
| 1 June 2026 | The last derogations ended, for Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Every consignment entering the EU now needs a valid ENS, filed in ICS2 or, in some countries, together with the transit declaration. |
For most GB hauliers, the date that mattered was 1 January 2026, when the old system stopped being accepted for goods entering through France and Ireland.
The Critical Difference: ICS1 vs. ICS2
For hauliers, the process looks similar (you still submit an ENS), but the content of that submission changed. The "generic" data that was acceptable under ICS1 is now rejected.
Here are the three most significant changes:
1. HS Commodity Codes (6 Digits)
Under the old rules, a 4-digit commodity code and a brief text description were often sufficient.
- The rule now: You must provide a minimum 6-digit HS commodity code for every item in the shipment.
- The impact: Vague descriptions like "Auto Parts" or "Clothing" without the specific 6-digit code will trigger a rejection. Both are on the EU's list of ICS2 stop words.
2. Mandatory Haulier EORI (EU or XI)
This is a major tripping point for GB-based hauliers.
- The rule now: The haulier transporting the goods must provide their own valid EU or XI (Northern Ireland) EORI number.
- The impact: Even if you are a UK-based business with no office in the EU, you cannot file an ENS without this number. You must register for an EORI in the first EU member state you typically enter (e.g. France or Ireland). Our guide explains how to apply for an EU EORI number.
3. Importer EORI Details
- The rule now: You must include the EORI number of the receiver (importer) in the EU or Northern Ireland.
- The impact: Hauliers need to make sure their customers provide this data upfront. You can no longer just list a company name and address; the validated EORI is required.
Summary of Data Requirements
To make sure your trucks clear the "green lane" on arrival, your ENS submission via ICS2 must include:
| Data field | ICS1 requirement (old) | ICS2 requirement (now) |
|---|---|---|
| Commodity code | 4 digits (or description) | 6 digits (mandatory) |
| Haulier ID | Often optional | Valid EU/XI EORI (mandatory) |
| Importer ID | Name and address | Valid EU/XI EORI (mandatory) |
| Package info | Basic count | Detailed package type and count |
What Happens If You Don't Comply?
The ICS2 system is not just a formality; it is a "safety and security" gate.
Once you submit your data, the system performs a risk analysis.
- Assessment complete: You get a movement reference number (MRN) and can proceed.
- Request for information: Customs needs more details before you can move.
- Do not load: The risk is too high (or data is missing), and the goods are denied entry to the EU.
If your driver arrives at the border without a pre-validated ICS2 declaration, they will be turned away or held indefinitely while the data is manually corrected.
You can file your ICS2 ENS with ENS Ready, which is built for hauliers moving goods into the EU and the UK.
Questions
When did ICS2 become mandatory for road hauliers?
For goods entering the EU through most member states, including the Netherlands and Belgium, on 1 September 2025. For France, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Finland, Lithuania and Northern Ireland, on 1 January 2026. The last temporary derogations, for Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, ended on 1 June 2026.
Do GB hauliers need an EU or XI EORI for ICS2?
Yes. The haulier transporting the goods must provide their own valid EU or XI (Northern Ireland) EORI number. Register for it in the first EU member state you typically enter, for example France or Ireland.
What commodity code does an ICS2 ENS need?
At least a 6-digit HS commodity code for every item in the shipment. Vague descriptions without the 6-digit code will trigger a rejection.
