To all importers of goods from outside the EU, a new EU import control system has been introduced. ICS2 allows for the monitoring and control of imported goods before their arrival in the EU.
What is this new regulation? Who is directly affected? And what is the role of Eastwise? Let’s find out.
What is ICS2?
ICS2 is a new European Union (EU) import control system designed to collect data on goods entering the EU before they arrive. It is progressively replacing the ICS1 system in force since 2011.
Through the introduction of new customs measures, the system aims to better protect the European single market and its citizens. It also facilitates the free movement of goods by reducing waiting times and costs related to customs controls.
Who is affected by ICS2?
Economic operators (EOs) will have to declare safety and security data in ICS2, through the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS), including information on the consignor, the consignee, the goods and the transport documents.
The carriers or their representatives, as submitters of the ENS (entry summary declaration), are at the heart of the system.But ICS2 also involves all actors in the logistics chain of the import flow of goods: handlers, shippers, air cargo carriers, sea, rail, road and inland waterway carriers, express freight companies, postal operators inside and outside the EU, freight forwarders, registered customs representatives (RDE) or the final consignees of the goods (importers).
The advantages of ICS2 are numerous:
The data to be provided in the ENS are more numerous and must come from all economic operators (under the responsibility of the carrier crossing the border).
Thus, ICS2 provides more efficient and effective EU customs security and safety capabilities that will allow :
- Enhanced protection of EU citizens and the internal market by improving the detection and prevention of dangerous or illegal goods;
- Better identification of high-risk consignments by EU customs authorities allowing intervention at the most appropriate point in the supply chain;
- Assistance with cross-border customs clearance for legitimate trade;
- Simplifying the exchange of information between economic operators and EU customs authorities.
In addition to these regulatory changes, there is a major IT change. From now on, instead of going through the IT system of the Member State through which the goods are brought into the EU, traders will file their ENS via a shared European portal (STI or Shared Trader Interface) in a central European database (CR or Common Repository).
What is the timetable?
There are three phases to the deployment of ICS 2:
What Eastwise can do for you
The customs declaration (and therefore the choice of HS code) is the responsibility of the importer. It is usually the freight forwarder who has the customs expertise to advise on which customs code should be used.
So, as your trusted partner for sourcing and procurement in Asian countries, our mission at Eastwise is to :
- Inform you and ensure that you understand the new ICS2 measures correctly;
- Collect and share supplier data;
- Coordinate the implementation of the document change while ensuring the accuracy of the information on the commercial documents (invoice/packing list, etc.)
More information on the information materials designed by the European Commission services or the Taxation and Customs Union website.
Do you have a project? Let’s talk about it!
See also our article Eastwise, doubly committed and responsible.
