Import Control System 2 (ICS 2)
ICS2 release schedule
ICS2 was introduced in three releases as outlined below.
Release 1 - 15 March 2021: Postal and express consignments by air - Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) minimum ENS dataset.
Release 2 – 1 March 2023: Goods in air traffic - Pre-arrival complete ENS dataset for all goods in air transport.
Release 3 - 3 June 2024: Goods in martime and inland waterways, road and rail traffic - Pre-arrival complete ENS dataset for all goods in these sectors, including postal goods.
Release 3 - Deployment of this release was implemented in three phases
Phase 1: 3 June 2024 – 4 December 2024 (maritime and inland waterway carriers).
Phase 2: 4 December 2024 – 1 April 2025 (maritime and inland waterway house level filers).
Phase 3: 1 April 2025 - 1 September 2025 (road and rail carriers).
Phase 3 applies to the following Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) traffic arriving in Ireland:
- accompanied (considered as road)
- and
- unaccompanied (considered as maritime)
Ireland was granted a derogation that allows us to extend the deployment window for Phase 3 until 31 December 2025. For goods carried on ferries entering the European Union (EU) in Ireland, you may continue to lodge an ENS in ICS1 until 31 December 2025. From 1 January 2026, it will be mandatory for you to lodge an ENS in ICS2 for these goods.
The Commission confirmed that goods entering the EU through Member States which did not apply for the derogation must be covered by an ENS in ICS2 from 1 September 2025.
Note
Economic operators are encouraged to make the move to ICS2 now and not to wait until 31 December 2025.
You will find ICS2 Release 3 project documentation in European Commission-ICS2.
Data protection
A Privacy Statement provides comprehensive information on the processing and protection of personal data submitted to ICS2.
Further information
The European Commission has published the following documents which may help you to prepare your business for ICS2:
If you require further information on ICS2, please contact: