Preparing for EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Release 2 Scheduled for March 1, 2023

On March 1, 2023, the European Union will launch Release 2 of their Import Control System 2 (ICS2) for goods transported by air to EU-27 destinations plus Norway and Switzerland (regardless of origin).

In this article, you’ll learn what the ICS2 is, the changes coming, and how you can prepare.

What is ICS2?

The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the second phase of electronic customs import system for the EU. This upgraded IT system is created to collect data about all goods entering the EU prior to their arrival. ICS2 aims to better protect Europe’s single market and its citizens with new customs safety and security measures and will facilitate free flow of trade through improved data-driven customs security processes that are adapted to global business models.

ICS2 is required for all shipments transiting via any EU country even if final destination is not a part of the EU, i.e. a shipment from Asia to the UK, where the goods are transiting via any EU country.

Preparing for the Upcoming ICS2 Release

Importers are required to provide a six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for each commodity line listed in the commercial invoice and/or detailed goods descriptions for the shipments to avoid potential delays, fines or penalties and facilitate customs clearance. Where more than one HS code is present, the net weight of each is also required. The Economic Operators Registration and Identification Number (EORI) for the shipment recipient / consignee is also mandatory.

UPS does not anticipate any service impact for customers as a result of this change, given that all the necessary data is provided for customs clearance procedures.

When tendering a shipment to UPS Supply Chain Solutions destined to or via the EU, whether by your method or via our shipping systems, e.g. the UPS Forwarding Hub, the following information is mandatory:

1. Shipper name
2. Shipper address
3. Recipient name
4. Recipient address
5. Number of packages
6. Gross weight
7. Acceptable goods description (see the full EU guidelines)
8. Six-digit Harmonized System (HS) codes along with net weight of each where there is more than a single HS code involved*.
9. For EU-27, the recipient’s EORI number (see the full EU guidelines)

If you are not utilizing the UPS Supply Chain Solutions’ shipping systems, you also have the option to deliver the required information to your local customs office directly.

No additional actions are required from customers. All UPS Supply Chain Solutions systems are programmed to automatically transmit the required customs data in advance directly to the EU customs systems.

In the case that customers provide insufficient data to complete ICS2 data reporting requirements, UPS SCS will make a commercially reasonable effort to contact customers. If a shipper does not respond, the shipment would be held at the origin until all requirements are received.

Letters, correspondence and other document shipments of no commercial value are excluded from this requirement. For more information on HS Codes, check out our “Importer’s Guide to HTS Codes.”

ICS2 Resources

If you're struggling to find the appropriate HS codes for your shipments, you can check the World Customs Organization website.

For more information on ICS2, please visit the European Commission website. If you have questions, get in contact with one of our customs brokerage experts.