ICS2: New process for Entry by air
Are you importing goods by air from outside the EU into European Customs Union? You must file your entry declaration with Import Control System 2 (ICS2) by 1 October 2023 at the latest. Until then, you can file your ENS declaration with ICS1.
What is Import Control System 2 (ICS2)?
ICS2 is the automated customs entry process that applies to the whole EU. This process monitors the safety of the external border. The European Commission aims to increase the data quality, in order to make a better risk analysis in advance. Automation of the process must also ensure better exchange of data between the EU Member States.
Read more about the ICS2 project on 'Import Control System 2 - Release 2', the website of the European Commission.
How does this affect you?
- Soon you must submit the Notification of Arrival (NA) and Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) in the Shared Trader Interface (STI). New system specifications are available for both declarations.
- More data is needed to file the ENS than before. For more information, also read the 'Memo Informatie over HS-codes en EORI-nummers', only available in Dutch, attached to the meeting documents of the Focus Group ODB ICS2 (Import Control System 2) of 9 February 2023.
- Part of the ENS data must be submitted earlier than you are used to. These are the pre-load data.
Ask your software suppliers how to prepare for this. Or read 'What do I have to do to connect to the STI?'
The 'Dutch Customs National Helpdesk' remains your point of contact for questions about and support for the automated processes.
The process for Temporary Storage of air cargo is also changing. Read about it at 'New process for Temporary Storage of air cargo'.
Why this change?
These changes are the result of the new Union Customs Code (UCC). The aim is to gradually harmonise the customs entry process throughout the EU. The first process to be aligned is the one for bringing in goods at the 1st EU airport of entry.
More information can be found on 'UCC - Work Programme', the website of the European Commission.
Timetable for moving to the new ICS2 system specifications
The transition period (deployment window) for carriers is different from that of the postal companies, express couriers and other house filers:
- availability release 2 of ICS2: 1 July 2023
- transition period commissioning release 2 ICS2:
- carriers: 1 July 2023 - 1 August 2023
- postal companies, express couriers and other house filers: 1 August 2023 - 1 October 2023
Until 1 August 2023, carriers must file their ENS declaration with ICS1. Postal companies, express couriers and other house filers must file their ENS declaration with ICS1 until 1 October 2023.
Technical information
The new system specifications for the ENS and the NA at the 1st STI entry point are part of the new ICS2 Harmonised Trader Interface (ICS2-HTI).
These system specifications (ICS2-HTI) are available in 'ICS 2 Release 2: air cargo general, postal and express pre-arrival', the public online community.
For the latest updates and availability visit 'Dutch Customs National Helpdesk'.
Do you have any questions?
Read more under 'ICS2 Entry by air: where can I go with questions?'
Or watch our webinar 'Veranderingen Binnenbrengen en Tijdelijke opslag' (only available in Dutch).
