New ICS2 Goes Live in Europe: What You Need to Know

New Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Goes Live in Europe: What You Need to Know 

Written By: Debbie Jung

ICS2 (Import Control System 2) is a new customs pre-arrival security and safety program implemented by the European Union (EU) for all air freight to and via the EU, UK, and Switzerland. The primary objective of ICS2 is to enhance customs risk management and reinforce the security and safety of the EU's internal market and its citizens.

By collecting advance cargo information, ICS2 enables early identification of threats and facilitates targeted customs measures at the external borders. With ICS 2, customs procedures across EU member states are more harmonized and standardized.  

Effective Dates

The ICS2 Release 2 went live on March 1st, 2023. However, some EU Member States were granted an exception (derogation), allowing them to connect to ICS2 Release 2 by no later than June 30th, 2023. 

What This Means for You

Moving forward, operators such as air carriers and freight forwarders involved in air transportation of goods to or through the EU, must provide a complete set of Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) data prior to the goods' arrival at the EU external border. This data must be filed through the ICS2 system, which replaces the EU's previous Import Control System (ICS).  

Mercury will have specific responsibilities to fulfill these new requirements. As a freight forwarder, we must provide Harmonized System (HS) and Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI) number on Master Air Waybill (MAWB), House Air Waybill (HAWB), and the Air Cargo Manifest for all air shipments going to the EU. This means we need the following information from you for every shipment destined for the EU: 

• HS Code - The 6-digit HS code represents the commodity code of the goods being shipped and is essential for proper classification.  
• EORI Number - The consignee's EORI number needs to be provided if it has been assigned to the consignee established in the EU. The EORI number is only required for business-to-business (B2B) shipments.  

Failure to include this information may result in the shipment being rejected at tender or held until the necessary data has been obtained. 

Simplify your customs paperwork with help from Mercury. We will ensure smooth customs clearance and ensure full ICS2 compliance for all your shipments.  

Sources: 

https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/news/import-control-system-2-ics2-release-2-go-live-2023-03-01_en

https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/import-control-system-2-ics2-0/import-control-system-2-release-2_en

https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/import-control-system-2-ics2-0_en

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023D0438