ICS2: Understanding the New European Import Control System
Since 3 February 2026, version 3 of ICS2 messages has come into force and the previous version has been definitively decommissioned. For any company importing goods into the European Union, or transiting them through its territory, this marks a turning point: the ICS2 (Import Control System 2) is now the only applicable framework for safety and security declarations, regardless of the transport mode used.
What is ICS2?
ICS2 is the European electronic system for collecting and analysing safety and security data on goods entering or transiting the EU. Developed and operated by DG TAXUD, it replaces the ICS1 system in service since 2011. Before your goods are even loaded at their country of origin, data concerning them must be transmitted electronically to European customs authorities via ICS2. These data feed a risk analysis common to all 27 Member States, identifying high-risk shipments while facilitating the clearance of legitimate goods.
Compared to ICS1, the new system covers all transport modes (air, maritime, road, rail and inland waterway), requires far more granular data (approximately 200 fields in a complete declaration), and introduces a "multiple filing" logic allowing each logistics chain actor to contribute the data they hold.
Who Is Concerned by ICS2?
The scope of ICS2 is deliberately broad. Carriers bear primary responsibility for filing the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS). Freight forwarders and customs agents may also be required to contribute. Postal operators and express carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL) have been covered since the first phase, including for small parcels previously exempt. Importers and cargo owners, even if they do not directly file the ENS, must provide the necessary data — notably the EORI number and precise commercial product description.
The ENS at the Heart of ICS2
The ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) must be submitted before goods arrive on EU territory, in some cases before loading. For air freight, the process has two stages: the PLACI deposit (Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information) transmitting 8 minimum data items before loading, and the complete ENS before the aircraft or vessel arrives.
Mandatory data includes the EORI number of the recipient, a 6-digit minimum HS code, and a precise commercial product description — vague terms like "spare parts" or "samples" are no longer accepted. An ENS is valid for a maximum of 200 days, after which it is automatically invalidated.
In France, ICS2 operates alongside ANTES, the national system that digitalises the presentation notification and temporary storage declaration. The DDT (temporary storage declaration) is mandatory even for immediate clearance.
The ICS2 Deployment Timeline
Release 1 (15 March 2021): postal operators and air express freight. Release 2 (1 March 2023): all air transport. Release 3: maritime and inland waterway (1 March 2024), then road and rail (1 April 2025). Since 1 September 2025, all transport modes are covered. On 3 February 2026, the final step: version 3 messages, making version 2 obsolete. As of March 2026, the deployment is complete — no transitional period or derogation remains possible.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The most immediate risk is cargo loading refusal: if the PLACI filing is missing or data triggers an alert, authorities can ban loading at the origin country. The second risk is refusal of customs clearance on arrival: without a valid ENS, goods cannot enter EU customs territory. Administrative fines can reach several thousand euros per shipment. Repeated non-compliance can trigger systematic reinforced controls on all subsequent flows.
Experience from the first months shows that most problems stem from insufficient data quality: vague descriptions, incorrect HS codes, missing EORI numbers, or data from upstream partners arriving late or incomplete.
How Customeo Supports Your ICS2 Compliance
At Customeo, customs declarations including ENS filings are handled by RDE declarants with 10 to 20 years of operational experience. They take charge of your declarations end-to-end and bear legal responsibility for their compliance, guaranteeing a 99% compliance rate. The Customeo platform offers real-time monitoring of all your customs operations. With over 250 ETI and large group clients and more than 20,000 declarations processed annually, Customeo draws on the century-long expertise of the Derudder group.
Frequently Asked Questions about ICS2
What is ICS2 in customs?
ICS2 (Import Control System 2) is the European electronic system requiring the transmission of safety and security data before any goods enter the EU. It replaces ICS1 and covers all transport modes since 2025.
Who must file the ENS declaration in ICS2?
The responsibility for filing the ENS falls primarily on carriers. However, freight forwarders, postal operators and importers may also be required to contribute, particularly within the multiple filing system.
What data is mandatory in an ENS?
Mandatory data includes the recipient's EORI number, a minimum 6-digit HS code, a detailed commercial description of the goods, and complete exporter and consignee details. A complete ENS can include approximately 200 data fields.
What is the difference between ICS2 and ANTES?
ICS2 is the European system common to all 27 Member States, managing Entry Summary Declarations and risk analyses. ANTES is the French application that takes over once goods arrive in France, digitalising the presentation notification and temporary storage declaration.
