EU’s new customs system for goods entry to kick in June ’24 

Business a.m

The European Union (EU) is to roll out a new customs pre-arrival safety and security system. The initiative, which is to be implemented by June 2024, will require all goods entering the region via sea, rail, and road to be declared before they arrive.

Under the new policy, traders sending goods to the EU will be required to provide detailed information about their shipments in advance of their arrival. The information provided will be used to assess the safety and security of the goods being imported and to ensure compliance with EU regulations.

The EU’s new customs pre-arrival safety and security system is being rolled out in three phases, with the third and final phase covering maritime, rail, and road transportation. With the new system now fully implemented across all modes, the EU is confident that it will provide improved safety and security for all goods coming into the region.

A statement presented by the EU read in part, “With this third release, maritime and inland waterways, road and rail carriers will also need to provide data on goods sent to or through the EU before their arrival, through a complete Entry Summary Declaration (ENS).

“This obligation also concerns postal and express carriers who transport goods using these modes of transport as well as other parties, such as logistics providers. In certain circumstances, final consignees established in the EU will also have to submit ENS data to ICS2.”

As the EU prepares to implement the third phase of its new customs pre-arrival safety and security system, it is urging traders to take the necessary steps to prepare for the change. Without proper planning, businesses risk facing delays and being in violation of the new requirements. This includes ensuring that they have the ability to collect accurate and complete data from their clients, update their IT systems and operational processes to meet the new standards, and ensure that their staff are properly trained to handle the new system.

Traders were also required to complete a self-conformance test from December 11, 2023 before connecting to ICS2, to verify their ability to access and exchange messages with customs authorities.

The union stated further, “EU Member States will grant authorisation, upon request, to the affected traders to gradually connect to ICS2 within a time-limited deployment window. Member States can grant the deployment window anytime within the following timeframes: from 3 June 2024 to 4 December 2024 (maritime and inland waterway carriers); from 4 December 2024 to 1 April 2025 (maritime and inland waterway house level filers); and from 1 April 2025 to 1 September 2025 (road and rail carriers). 

If traders are not ready on time, and do not provide the data required under ICS2, goods will be stopped at the EU borders and will not be cleared by the customs authorities.”

As one of the world’s largest trading blocs, accounting for around 14 percent of the world’s trade in goods, the EU is committed to protecting its citizens and ensuring the safety and security of goods entering the region. With the introduction of ICS2, the EU will have access to crucial safety and security data on all goods entering the bloc, enabling it to effectively identify and address any potential risks. ICS2 will also streamline trade flows within the EU, making it easier and faster for goods to move between customs offices and reach their final destination.