The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the EU’s new system for submitting Safety and Security declarations, replacing Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICSNI). Using ICS2 for goods movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will become mandatory on 31 December 2025.

The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the new IT system for submitting entry summary (ENS) declarations, arrival notifications and presentation of goods notifications for movements entering the Northern Ireland (NI) and the European Union (EU). We are writing to inform you of action you should take to support your carrier and/or haulier to submit ENS declarations for movements into the EU by road and rail.

Familiarise yourself with new data requirements: Your carrier and/or haulier who is moving the goods on your behalf, is responsible for submitting ENS declarations. However, they’ll need information from you about the goods to complete the declarations.

You should work with your haulier now to make sure you’re familiar with the new data requirements for ICS2, and that you will be able to provide them with sufficient data to comply with their ICS2 obligations.

The new data includes:

Accurate description of the goods (ICS2 is improving data quality through the introduction of ‘stop-words’. The goods description must contain more detail than just the generic stop words or the ENS will be rejected)
Commodity Code (6 digits)
Buyer and Seller information
Place of Delivery

Be aware that different EU countries will start using ICS2 at different times – and in some cases will already be using ICS2 for road and rail movements – so you may need to provide additional data for some of your exports sooner than others.

Visit the European Commission website to check when the countries you export goods to will start using ICS2. Please also see our FAQ.

Movements into Northern Ireland (NI)

Visit Make an entry summary declaration using the Import Control System 2 – GOV.UK for more information about movements into Northern Ireland (NI).

Please see our summary of links to EU Member State guidance but it is still your responsibility to check requirements for EU Member States.

Does your business/member need to submit Entry Summary Declarations for road movements into NI? Then HMRC would like to hear from you/them.

Please complete this short, anonymous survey, to let HMRC know what support you may need to get ready to use ICS2 by 31 December 2025.

It should take no more than 5 minutes and will help ensure that your needs are met.

HMRC will only use the details you provide for this purpose, and your responses will be treated with strict confidence. Please can you respond to this survey by 5 December 2025.

Please note: TSS users will also receive an invitation to complete the survey. Businesses only need to respond once.