All domestic freight forwarders may now be affected by the new EU customs requirements

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 04. 08. 11:28

The European Union’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) has entered its final phase of implementation, meaning that from April 1, 2025, the new customs requirements will also apply to rail, road, sea and inland waterway transport. Careless companies can expect to be refused customs clearance and fines, warns international law firm Baker McKenzie.

ICS2 modernizes customs risk assessment by requiring advance cargo information for goods entering the European Union. The system enhances EU customs security and sanctions enforcement, including the control of dual-use and high-risk goods, and plays a critical role in the integrity of the EU’s external borders, especially in the case of a transit-sensitive country like Hungary.

The import control system requires all carriers, forwarders and economic operators involved in the movement of goods to (import) or through the European Union, including e-commerce businesses, to submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) containing detailed information. This includes a precise description of the goods, the HS6 classification (customs tariff number), the transport route and the full identification of all parties involved. The ENS must be submitted electronically via ICS2 no later than 1 hour before arrival at the first customs office of entry.

The ICS2 system has been gradually introduced since 2021. It first affected express carriers and air mail, then covered all air freight and, from April this year, also rail, road, sea and inland waterway transport.