ICS2 FAQ

ICS2 is an enhanced customs system which will collect data on all goods entering the single market of the European Union (EU) before they arrive. By analyzing this information, customs authorities can protect against security risks and streamline customs processes for legitimate trade, making it easier for businesses to move goods within the EU.

An ENS is an Entry Summary Declaration for consignments arriving into the European Union's customs territory. Prior to moving goods into the EU an Entry Summary declaration must be submitted by the relevant transport operator.

This new phase will cover the transportation of goods by maritime and inland waterways to or through the EU, Northern Ireland, Norway or Switzerland. Maritime and inland waterway carriers will need to submit a complete Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) in the ICS2 system for all goods before their arrival into the EU. For deep sea, the ENS needs to be submitted 24 hours prior departure from load port.

The EU has enhanced its security regulations for imports. Businesses now need to provide more detailed information about shipments compared to the previous ICS1 system.

Key changes include:

• House BL filing
• Increased data requirements: Shippers and consignees must now share specific details like names, addresses, and EORI numbers. Additionally, information about buyers and sellers is necessary.
• Data submission options: This data can be submitted in a single declaration (Full ENS) by the carrier or in parts (Partial ENS) by different parties involved in the supply chain.
• More precise product information: A six-digit HS code and a detailed cargo description are now mandatory, replacing the less specific four-digit HS code or basic description used previously.

To ensure a smooth transition, maritime and inland waterways carriers should connect to the system between 3 June to 4 December 2024. This means that carriers who are not operationally ready for ICS2 on 3 June can still do so at a later date within the timeframe granted by the national customs authorities.  However, economic operators must request in advance their time window from the EU Member State where their registration and identification (EORI) number was obtained.

ONE has requested to start sending ICS2 ENS by October 8, 2024.   In order to gather all required data for the ENS, ONE requests customers to start sending their data on 3rd September 2024.

Ultimately the vessel operator bringing the goods into the EU is responsible for lodging an ENS. However, in cases of vessel-sharing agreements like The Alliance or other long-term contracts, the ocean carrier issuing the Bill of Lading is tasked with timely electronic ENS transmissions. In case of vessel sharing agreements such as The Alliance or other long term contractual agreements, the BL issuing ocean carrier is responsible for the timely electronic transmission of the ENS.  If the carrier does not have all the legally required information for a complete ENS submission and the customer does not wish to provide this to ONE, then the customer can chose multi-filing options.

An ENS must be submitted electronically via the ICS2 shared trader interface (STI) to the member states customs office of the port of first Entry in to the EU. 

• F10 – Straight BL and Buyer and Seller data – ENS filing by ONE 
• F11  – Master BL, HBL, and Buyer & Seller data – Complete ENS filings by ONE
• F12 – Master BL (multi filing: Master BL – ENS filing by ONE, HBL and Buyer/Seller – ENS submission by the customers independent arrangement)
• F13 – Straight BL (multi filing: Straight BL – ENS filing by ONE, Buyer/Seller details – ENS submission by the customers independent arrangement house filer)

Customers that do not intend to share buyer/seller or HBL data with ONE should register as a House-Filer with their applicable EORI number, obtain a deployment window and connect to the EU customs trader portal. See for more information using the following link: https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/online-services/online-services-and-databases-customs/eu-customs-trader-portal_en

• The six-digit HS code
• Accurate and complete cargo description
• The EORI for the Master BL Consignee 
• CUS code for harmless and DG chemicals (if included in ECICS/ European Customs Inventory of Chemical Substances)
• UCR number (if available)
• House level data such as shipper + consignee in house BL (s) and their EORI if it has been assigned, place of acceptance, place of delivery, packaging, seal no., UN no. if DG, gross weight excl., container tare
• Buyer/seller data if cargo destined to the EU
• Ocean Freight method of payment

Cargo originating from the EU will not need an ENS unless it exits the EU territory and then re-enters. For instance, if a shipment originates from Hamburg Germany to discharge at Valencia Spain, an ENS would not normally be required. However, if the vessel will call outside the EU territory (e.g. Southampton Great Britain) on its voyage from Germany to Spain whilst the consignment remains on board (FROB), then for this consignment an ENS will need to be filed before re-entering Spain. Please remember Great Britain is not part of the EU but Northern Ireland is still considered as part of EU territory.

If the consignment does not enter the EU territory on its journey from non-EU country to non-EU country an ENS is not required. However if the consignment enters the EU territory to tranship to another vessel or is remaining onboard the vessel if the vessel enters the EU territory on its rotation, then an ENS submission is required.

An ENS for containerized shipments originating outside the EU must be lodged at least 24 hours prior to commencement of loading in each non-EU port.

Documentation cut off times may vary from country to country, this information is included in your ONE booking confirmation. All shipping instructions must be submitted according to the documentation times stipulated. Non-compliance may result in short-shipment of your consignment.

Under the new ICS2 regulations, for goods with the final destination in the European Union, it is mandatory to provide the actual buyer and seller details of the goods (these may be different from the shipper / consignee). If the final place of delivery is non-EU, then the actual buyer and seller details are not required. The buyer and seller information must be provided to ONE if you require us to make the "full ENS filing" (EU Filing type F10 / F11). However, under the new ICS2 setup there is the option for "multiple filing". In this scenario (filing type F12/F13) it is not necessary to provide us with the actual buyer and seller information, but it is mandatory to provide the supplementary declarants' EORI number.

As part of the new ICS2 setup there is the option for "multiple filings". In this scenario customers will not be required to share house level data (HBL) nor buyer and seller information with us instead choosing to file the data independently (Filing type F12/F13). ONE will only submit the master BL data in their ENS submission (so called partial filing) with the EORI number of the company filing the data included. The customs authorities will link the two data filings together. Both filings will be required to achieve a "complete ENS". 

More information here: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/f0c54ba3-4e1b-11ef-acbc-01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format-PDF/source-338641210

Yes. We offer our customers the option of filing a complete ENS provided we receive all the necessary information. The requirement of filing House BL data is mandatory from December 4th 2024.

Adequate and precise descriptions of the consignment are necessary for customs authorities to identify the type of goods entering the EU. Guidance and examples can be found in the file issued by the European Commission here: https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-03/guidance_acceptable_goods_description_en.pdf

A CUS code is an identification number assigned to chemical products in the European Union. A CUS code serves as a reference number to the European Customs Inventory of Chemical Substances (ECICS) which determines the applicable rules governing the import of a substance. For the shipment of chemical products, customers must provide ONE with the correct CUS code in the shipping instruction.

More information here: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/ecics/chemicalsubstance_consultation.jsp?Lang=en

If you cannot provide all the required data elements for filing a complete ENS then the shipment cannot proceed. It is mandatory to provide EU customs all required data 24 hours prior to loading.

Inadequate declarations are likely to be rejected, with a do not load instruction issued to the carrier. If loading is permitted, goods may be stopped at the EU customs border and will not be cleared by the Customs Authorities with the possibility of imposed sanctions.

Please contact your local Ocean Network Express Office here: https://www.one-line.com/en/standard-page/booking-contacts