ICS2

Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is a cargo screening system designed to enhance security and safety for shipments arriving in or transiting through the European Union and the United Kingdom. Despite leaving the European Union, the UK remains part of Europe's safety and security zone and has adopted ICS2.

The Import Control System (ICS) was introduced in late 2010 in response to incidents involving concealed threatening devices in shipments. ICS2 is an enhancement of the technology to support security and safety protocols. Phase one of ICS2 began March 15, 2021; therefore, whether you're an online retailer, postal worker, handler, etc., this guide explains how you're affected and how to be compliant under ICS2.

How ICS2 works 

The following is a high-level overview of how ICS2 works:

1. The sender must provide detailed information about the contents of the shipment, as well as information about themselves and the recipient, before handing it to the carrier or postal operator.
2. Economic operators (carriers, postal authorities, handlers, etc.) collect and analyze the information from the sender prior to the shipment being loaded onboard the aircraft that is bound to the EU.
3. Economic operators and/or Customs authorities complete a risk assessment of the advanced information.
4. If a risk is identified the authorities will try to mitigate the risk by preventing suspicious packages from being loaded onto the aircraft destined to Europe.

View an illustrated PDF about ICS2 and its requirements.

Responsibility 

Anyone shipping to Europe or the UK, including online retailers, manufacturers, and exporters, is affected. They must include accurate information regarding the recipient and package contents before sending the shipment to the carrier or postal operator in the EU or the UK.

Carriers and postal operators have the biggest responsibility under ICS2. Carriers and postal operators have to enter and transmit shipping data to authorities in advance to approve the plane's manifest and loading of the aircraft. If they allow a package to be shipped to the EU or UK without proper descriptions, they will be held responsible; furthermore, if they let an actual threatening package ship to the EU or UK, they will face consequences such as a sanction for non-compliance.

The shipper is ultimately responsible for providing carriers and postal companies with complete and accurate information about the goods. Although the carriers and postal operators are held responsible for non-compliance, providing unacceptably vague, ambiguous, inaccurate, or incomplete descriptions may result in your shipments being held or rejected, leading to delays, possible penalties, and a poor consumer experience.

When to be ready 

ICS2 will consist of 3 release phases :

• Release 1: March 15, 2021 = Air express and postal preloading
• Release 2: March 1, 2023 = Air cargo, air express, and postal
• Release 3: June 3, 2024 = Maritime
  • April 1, 2025 = Road and rail

Good descriptions 

Clear, precise, and comprehensive descriptions are essential for ICS2 compliance.

A good package description answers the following questions:

• What is being shipped?
• What materials is it made of?
• What is the item used for?
• What is the item's serial or part number (if applicable)?

Information screened by security 

While ICS2 emphasizes detailed goods descriptions, all shipments must include the following information:

1. Shipper name
2. Shipper address
3. Recipient name
4. Recipient address
5. Number of packages
6. Weight
7. Description of goods
8. Airbill number

Key points to remember 

Ensure package descriptions are detailed and accurate because:

• A shipment with a vague description will not be loaded onto an aircraft going to the EU or UK.
• If the shipment does get to the EU or UK with a description of poor quality, the shipment will be rejected by Customs and won't proceed to clearance.
• The carrier who allowed the shipment with a poor description to reach the EU may be subject to a sanction for non-compliance.
• Providing all the needed information about your shipment will benefit safety and security concerns and allow for quick shipment clearance.

Now that you know what ICS2 is and all of the impacts it has, you're ready to operate your business under this new system.

EORI numbers 

Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI) numbers are required for EU businesses to import or export goods into or out of the EU. EORI numbers are required only for B2B shipments, and only the EU recipient business must possess one. Non-EU businesses will only have an EORI as the sender if they have an EU headquarters.

For B2B shipments to the EU, the sender must obtain the recipient business's EORI number before handing the shipment to the carrier. The carrier cannot depart without it. See our guide for more information on EORI numbers.

Frequently asked questions