What Is ICS2 Release 3?
The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Release 3 is the third phase of the new pre-arrival safety and security system for the European Union (EU). This upgraded IT system was created to collect data about all goods entering the EU prior to their arrival. ICS2 aims to better protect Europe’s single market and its citizens with new customs safety and security measures and will facilitate free flow of trade through improved data-driven customs security processes that are adapted to global business models.
ICS2 is required for all shipments transiting via any EU country even if the final destination is not a part of the EU, i.e. a shipment from Asia to the UK, where the goods are transiting via any EU country.
What Is Included in EU’s ICS2 Release 3?
ICS2 Release 3, effective June 3, 2024, will introduce a new process that requires those who import into the EU using maritime and inland waterways, road and rail to provide a six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for each commodity line listed in the commercial invoice and or detailed goods descriptions for the shipments prior to arrival through a complete Entry Summary Declaration (ENS).
Where more than one HS code is present, the net weight of each is also required. The Economic Operators Registration and Identification Number (EORI) for the shipment recipient consignee is also mandatory.
Traders are strongly advised to prepare in advance for Release 3 to avoid the risk of delays and non-compliance.
How Can You Prepare for the Upcoming ICS2 Release 3?
When tendering a shipment to UPS Supply Chain Solutions destined to or via the EU, whether by your method or via our shipping systems, e.g. the UPS® Forwarding Hub, the following information is mandatory:
- Shipper name
- Shipper address
- Recipient name
- Recipient address
- Number of packages
- Gross weight
- Acceptable goods description (see the full EU guidelines)
- Six-digit Harmonized System (HS) codes along with net weight of each where there is more than a single HS code involved*.
- For EU-27, the recipient’s EORI number (see the full EU guidelines)
If you are not utilizing the UPS Supply Chain Solutions’ shipping systems, you also have the option to deliver the required information to your local customs office directly.
In the case that customers provide insufficient data to complete ICS2 data reporting requirements, UPS SCS will make a commercially reasonable effort to contact customers. If a shipper does not respond, the shipment would be held at the origin until all requirements are received.
Letters, correspondence and other document shipments of no commercial value are excluded from this requirement. For more information on HS Codes, check out our Importer’s Guide to HTS Codes.
What Was Included in EU’s ICS2 Release 1 and 2?
ICS2 Release 1 went into effect on March 15, 2021. This required postal and express consignments coming to or through the EU by air to fill out the Entry Summary Declaration (so called pre-loading advance cargo information – also known as PLACI) prior to their loading onto the aircraft bound for the EU.
ICS2 Release 2 went into effect on March 1, 2023, and required air freight cargo general consignments to fill out the PLACI form and the complete set of data of the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) prior to their arrival in the EU-27 destinations plus Norway, Switzerland and Northern Ireland (regardless of origin).
