Make an entry summary declaration using the Import Control System 2

Last updated: 21 November 2024

The Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the new safety and security information system for movements into Northern Ireland and the European Union that supports: 

• lodging of pre-arrival entry summary declarations to customs authorities
• notification of arrival of goods to customs authorities 
• presentation of goods to customs authorities 
• assessment of safety and security risk by customs authorities

This system replaces the current Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICS NI).

If you currently use the Trader Support Service, you can continue to do so to submit safety and security declarations.

Your entry summary declaration must be complete, accurate, and submitted on time.

In the UK, this system is only for goods entering Northern Ireland. For goods into Great Britain, use the safety and security GB service.

When to use

You’ll need to use this system to continue to make safety and security declarations for moving goods by air, maritime, road or rail into:

• Northern Ireland from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
• Northern Ireland from outside the EU

This includes general cargo, express and parcels.

When you must start using it

If you do not already use the Trader Support Service, the requirement to start using the ICS2 system, to submit a complete entry summary declaration dataset depends on your mode of transport.

ICS2 has been live for movements by air since 1 March 2023.

For freight moved by rail, road and maritime there are 3 deployment windows by which you must start using ICS2 instead of ICS NI:

• maritime and inland waterways carriers — between 3 June 2024 to 4 December 2024
• maritime and inland waterways house level filers — between 4 December 2024 to 1 April 2025
• road and rail carriers — between 1 April 2025 to 1 September 2025

You must inform HMRC of the date you intend to start using ICS2 instead of ICS NI. This date must be no later than the end of the deployment window for your relevant mode of transport. You can inform HMRC by emailing ics.helpdesk@hmrc.gov.uk.

You will need to provide your:

• company name: 
• company address
• EORI number
• role in ICS2 process (for example, air carrier, postal operator, house level filer)
• deployment window dates 
• date within this window that you expect to onboard

For movements of parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, from 30 September 2024 safety and security declarations will only be needed for applicable movements under the Windsor Framework. Email ics.helpdesk@hmrc.gov.uk if you have any questions about this.

How to use

ICS2 will require you to submit the following information:

• Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) for air movements only 
• pre-arrival notifications 
• arrival notifications

You’ll also need to submit a ‘presentation of goods’ notification when the goods arrive in Northern Ireland, which will be done through the HMRC Presentation of Goods API.

You’ll need to submit declarations through the EU Shared Trader Interface (also known as the EU Customs Trader Portal). To access this, you’ll need to email admin.uum@hmrc.gov.uk and tell HMRC your: 

• name 
• contact email address 
• address of your business
• EORI number starting XI

How to register

You’ll need to register with HMRC by emailing ics.helpdesk@hmrc.gov.uk if your EORI number starts with XI.

Find out what steps you’ll need to take to register to use ICS2.