EU expands import control system to rail and land transport

To enhance security and protect goods entering the European Union, the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) will expand to cover rail and land transport on April 1, 2025, encompassing all modes of transportation, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

According to the announcement, the EU's Import Control System 2 (ICS2) aims to increase the security and protection of goods entering the EU by introducing a standardized, pre-arrival customs process for all transport modes, including land and rail, in addition to existing requirements for air, sea, and inland waterways. By mandating the submission of accurate and complete Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) before arrival, ICS2 enables customs authorities to better assess risks associated with incoming goods, thereby enhancing the EU’s ability to prevent and combat customs violations and ultimately ensuring a safer and more secure trade environment.

"From April 1, 2025, land and rail transport operators will be required to provide data on goods shipped to or through the EU before their arrival via a complete ENS. This obligation also applies to postal and express carriers using these transport methods, as well as other parties, such as logistics providers. In certain circumstances, final recipients based in the EU will also need to submit ENS data in ICS2," the European Commission’s statement reads.

Furthermore, economic operators who are not ready by this date should contact the National Service Desk of the EU Member State (National Customs Authority) where they are registered and have obtained their EORI number to request an implementation period no later than March 1, 2025. Implementation periods are granted only upon request.

"To comply with ICS2 requirements, affected businesses will need to ensure they collect accurate and complete data from their customers, update their IT systems and operational processes, and provide adequate staff training. Economic operators will also be required to successfully complete a self-compliance test before connecting to ICS2 to verify their ability to access and exchange messages with customs authorities. Goods may be stopped at EU borders and may not be cleared by customs authorities if traders fail to meet ICS2 requirements on time," the statement further explains.