From January 1st, all road and rail shipments entering or transiting through the EU will be subject to new safety and security regulations under ICS2 — the updated Import Control System.

The change in procedure, which was originally planned for implementation in September before being delayed, applies to shipments moving from Great Britain into both the Republic of Ireland and mainland Europe, as well as those passing through the EU on their way to a third country. Northern Ireland will also fall under the scope of ICS2, as per EU customs rules.

The ICS2 requires an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to be submitted electronically on UK exports at least one hour before goods reach the EU border. The declaration must include comprehensive details such as:

  • Full consignor and consignee address information
  • Buyer and seller information, if different from the shipper or consignee
  • A Valid EU EORI number for the consignee
  • The first six digits of the HS code(s)
  • A detailed explanation of the goods

Of important note is the requirement for more precise descriptions of goods. Vague or generic descriptions, like ‘parts’, ‘spares’, ‘machinery’ and the like are expected to be rejected and entry to the EU refused.

The carrier is responsible for lodging the ENS, but shippers will need to provide the more detailed information to us in advance. Ideally, these details should be provided at the time of booking to help avoid delays.

Also from January 1st, operators involved in cross-border movements will be required to create and use an ELO (Enveloppe Logistique Obligatoire) when moving goods between the UK and the EU via France. The ELO acts as a digital port access pass, consolidating all required customs and safety data into one scannable barcode.

This barcode must be presented by drivers at major roll-on/roll-off ports, including Calais, Dunkirk and Le Havre, as well as at the Channel Tunnel terminal. Once scanned, French customs authorities can instantly retrieve the pre-validated information, enabling smoother border procedures and reducing the risk of delays.

As ever with the introduction of new regulations, there is the possibility of a little disruption to services in the first few days of implementation.

Should you require further information on the above, or details of our European export services, our road freight team are available to help.

If you have any questions regarding the above, then Westbound are here to help. So, please do not hesitate to contact us.