Focus EU: Import Control System 2 at the Starting Gate

Abstract

On 15 March 2021, a new import control system for the European Union was launched, called Import Control System 2 (or ICS2): it will guarantee a more efficient and effective import control activity and facilitate communications between economic operators and customs administrations of Member States. However, a gradual adaptation of the information systems will be necessary and, further, different procedures, especially for postal operators and express carriers, who are the first to deal with the new system, will be needed. There are three versions of the new system, the first just entered into effect and the others to be implemented by 2024: Release 1 requires postal operators and express carriers to submit a subset of their Entry Summary Declaration data, for goods transported by air only; Release 2 will require all air carriers, for all goods transported by air, to integrate the subset of data with the other information required for the complete Entry Summary Declaration; Release 3 requires specific functions to submit the complete Entry Summary Declaration for all goods carried by means of transport other than air, and therefore will concern maritime, rail and road operators as well as certain importers and recipients of the goods in the European Union. Declaration, Control, Summary, Transport, Goods, Carriers, Air, Postal, Import