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Are you ready for ICS2?

ICS2 enforcement is taking full effect across all transport modalities. Prepare your systems and processes to meet ICS2 customs obligations.

Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is an advanced cargo information system aimed at enhancing security in the international movement of goods and the broader supply chain. All economic operators (EOs) bringing goods into or transiting through the EU must submit safety and security information to ICS2 via an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS).

The rollout of ICS2 has been implemented in phases across different modes of transport. It began with air and maritime transport, and starting 1 September, 2025, it will also become mandatory for road and rail. At that point, ICS1 will be fully phased out.

In this article, we provide further clarifications on the transport scenarios affected by this regulation, and the parameters related to the quality of goods description to be submitted.

Transport scenarios

The EU Commission requires carriers to lodge an ICS2 declaration for the following transport scenarios:

  • Import to the EU: Cargo being imported from a third-party country to an EU country, regardless of the transport itinerary. For example, cargo exported from England to Spain. Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Northern Ireland are not considered third-party countries and are therefore exempt from the regulation.

  • Transit via the EU: Cargo being transported from a third-party country to another third-party country, with the vehicle itinerary passing through at least one EU country. For example, cargo exported from Türkiye to the United Kingdom, transiting through multiple EU countries.

  • Intra-EU trade, transiting via third-party countries: Cargo being transported from one EU country to another EU country, with the vehicle itinerary passing through a third-party country. For example, cargo exported from Austria to Greece, transiting via Balkan states such as Serbia and North Macedonia.

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Kuehne+Nagel customers with shipments matching one of these scenarios must provide the required information when placing their bookings. This includes:

  • Name, complete address and EU EORI (if available) of shipper, consignee, seller and buyer

  • Clear and specific description of goods in written English

  • Six-digit commodity Harmonised Code (HS Code)

  • Identification of package type, quantity and gross weight at cargo item level

Compliance of goods description

In accordance with ICS2 requirements, the goods description must be "a plain language description that is precise enough for customs services to be able to identify the goods. General terms (i.e. 'consolidated', 'general cargo', 'parts', or 'freight of all kinds') and insufficiently precise descriptions cannot be accepted."

To ensure compliance, ICS2 has a stop-words list embedded in the declaration screening. This operates as part of the safety and security risk analysis, rejecting entries containing such words. A non-exhaustive list of stop words is available in CIRCABC.