The EU ICS system: Debrief for businesses
The EU import control system – ICS2 – is - partly - in operation for postal and express consignments. Does this spell further delays for your parcels and small packages? Let's find out.
The European Union is implementing a new customs pre-arrival security and safety programme, underpinned by a large-scale advanced cargo information system – Import Control System 2 (ICS2). This is dubbed "a major reinforcement of the Customs Union's "first line of defence" against security and safety threats posed by illicit traffic in goods across the EU's external borders".
Postal and express consignments
In its first phase, ICS2 focuses on postal and express consignments coming to or through the EU by air, before eventually being applied to all modes of cargo transport.
Advanced cargo risk management platform
ICS2 is the new advance cargo risk management platform at the heart of the reform of the EU's Customs Pre-arrival Safety and Security programme. It will gradually replace the existing import control system in three releases between 15 March 2021 and 1 March 2024.
What is it?
The EU's new advance cargo information system ICS2 supports the implementation of this new customs safety and security regulatory regime aimed to better protect the single market and EU citizens.
Starting this year with Release 1, the programme will progressively introduce improved supply-chain data collected by customs and new tools and processes in order to enable, for the first time, real-time collaborative risk analysis while goods are still moving through their supply chains to or through the EU. It involves a complete overhaul of the existing regime from the perspectives of IT, customs risk management and trade operations, and has been prepared in close collaboration between the Commission, Member State customs authorities and business.
How does it work?
It collects data about all goods entering the EU prior to their arrival. Economic Operators (EOs) will have to declare safety and security data to ICS2, through the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS). The obligation to start filing such declarations will not be the same for all EOs.
Who is concerned?
It will depend on the type of services that they provide in the international movement of goods and is linked to the three release dates of ICS2 (15 March 2021, 1 March 2023, and 1 March 2024).
Three Release Dates
CS2 in detail
In Release 1, express carriers and designated postal operators established in the EU will begin providing a subset of their Entry Summary Declaration data before goods are loaded on aircraft bound for the EU.
This pre-loading advance cargo information - also known as “PLACI” data - will be analysed by customs with a view to detecting immediate threats to aviation security, delivering a complementary intelligence-driven layer of consignment-level risk analysis in the context of the EU civil aviation security regime. It will involve close co-operation between customs and national competent authorities for civil aviation security.
The first release of ICS2 will in particular introduce advance cargo information for postal consignments for the first time. This will be crucial in enabling customs to address a wide range of unsafe traffic in the context of massive and growing flows of e-commerce. Whether it is weapons or narcotics, fake medicines or dangerous toys, illicit supply chains will continue to try to exploit the possibilities presented by large flows of small parcels across the globe.
Two further releases of ICS2 will complete this important reform: Release 2 is scheduled to extend these new capabilities to general air cargo in March 2023, and Release 3 will include maritime, rail and road modes of transport from 2024.
Download the Datasheet
ICS Factsheet 2021
.pdf
Download PDF • 3.90MB
Links
Press release:
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_1134
Essential, online Customs & Global Trade Support
You can:
get advice on our Information Hubs.
find out how to determine the relevant duty rates and commodity codes for your goods in our Classification Hub
get help by asking the Customs Manager Ltd experts a question
Where to find even more help and support
For online support, join our educational live webinars, subscribe to insightful short Twitter updates and informative YouTube videos, and stop by at our expert blog page, updated weekly: https://www.customsmanager.org/customs-global-trade-blog
Join us on Linked In, too: www.linkedin.com/company/customs-manager-ltd
We also offer a resources hub that covers a lot of topics, videocasts and step by steps guidance: https://www.customsmanager.org/ -> Resources
There are regular customs and global trade update sessions to discuss what is coming up: https://www.customsmanager.org/customs-and-global-trade-update
Join our wide range of LIVE or online training courses on the customs and global trade topics that matter to you
Subscribe to our free newsletter to never miss an important update on our social media channels and expert blogs and get a round-up on all the important changes, law updates and guidance modifications for the EU and the UK).
You can also call our helpline on 079146450183. The first call is free, after this, we charge a moderate fee to get instant expert support. You can access it at https://www.customsmanager.org/expert-helpline-blog-training-exclusive-briefings
If you know of a business who would also find e-mails or customs and global trade blog entries helpful, please forward it on, or suggest they register to receive them directly to their inbox register to get these updates directly to their inbox.
About Customs Manager Ltd.
Working with us means having a Customs Advisor, Global Trade Expert and Export Controls Consultant, on speed-dial. If you are looking for a customs consultant UK and EU, let us help you trade effectively, efficiently and, of course, compliantly, wherever you want to go in the world.
Need to stay up-to-date with changing customs and global trade rules? We monitor legislation so our clients don't have to. Learn about all changes in our fresh expert blog, join exclusive briefings and ask any questions 24/7 through to the VIP hotline. Or sign up to our no-charge, insightful newsletter.
Entrust us with your training needs and help us to upskill you and your teams in English, German, French and Spanish. We offer public and private live, in-house and on-demand (study from anywhere and anytime) courses.
To complete our support for globally trading businesses, we are also a UK Customs Broker. We act as a customs clearance agent on behalf of many EU and UK businesses, assisting with customs documentation and all other formalities to ensure the customs clearance of our goods. Whether you’re seeking a long-term partner to look after your customs clearance or require support for a one-off shipment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Important Notice
Customs Manager Ltd. owns the copyright in this information, unless other sources are identified.
You are not allowed to use this information in any way that infringes the intellectual property rights in it. You may have to hold a valid licence to use this information. A licence can be obtained by becoming a Premium subscriber to the Customs Managers’ Trade Intelligence service. As a Premium subscriber, you may download and print this information which you may then use, copy or reproduce for your own internal non-profit-making purposes.
However, under no circumstances are you permitted to use, copy or reproduce this information to profit or gain.
In addition, you must not sell or distribute this information to third parties who are not members of your organization, whether for monetary payment or otherwise.
This information is intended to serve as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee the quality, content, or accuracy of the information provided on this page as laws and information change regularly. Moreover, the application and impact of laws can vary widely based on the specific facts involved. This information should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional legal or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a Customs Manager Ltd. professional.
In no circumstances will Customs Manager Ltd, be liable for any decision made or action was taken in reliance on the information contained within this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.