The European Union’s Import Control System (ICS2) is an advanced cargo information system that manages the safety and security risk analysis of all goods entering the EU. Logistics providers and carriers must transmit the complete Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to EU Customs, which reviews it for possible security threats.

ENS filings for maritime vessel operators began on December 4, 2024. ENS filings become required for maritime house filers on April 1, 2025  

What Does ENS Filing Entail?

Under the EU’s pre-arrival safety and security program, all Economic Operators must submit detailed safety and security information about goods transported in or via the EU through a complete Entry Summary Declaration.

The advance security filing must be submitted to ICS2 prior to loading, where it is reviewed by the Member States authorities to identify high-risk consignments and intervene at the most appropriate point in the supply chain while facilitating the legitimate flow of goods. As a result of this risk assessment, risk-mitigating referrals might be issued requesting the declarant to provide additional information, perform high-risk cargo and mail screening, or not load the cargo.

How Can I Prepare?

ENS filings require the following information to be declared. Therefore, shippers must provide this information to carriers, such as forwarders or ocean vessel carriers.  

• Shipper’s details  
• Consignee’s details
• Consignee’s EORI
• Goods description
• 6-digit HS Code
• Seller’s details
• Buyer’s details
• Buyer's EORI
• UN number (if applicable, for DG shipments)
• CUS number (if applicable, for DG shipments)

To ensure your supply chains are not disrupted, exporters to the EU must provide the required information to their logistics provider, such as Expeditors. EU importers can support by sharing their EU Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI) with their supplier and logistics provider’s import team.

To streamline this process, Expeditors will submit house-level data directly to ICS2 upstream before cargo is tendered to the carriers through direct connection with the EU authorities to ensure exceptional data quality and integrity. The result is better compliance, fewer disruptions, and safer supply chains.

Contact your local Expeditors representative to discuss how we can support your supply chain.