ICS2: new process for entering goods by road or rail

Publication date 04-11-2025 | Last update 04-11-2025 | Webpage

Do you import goods from outside the EU into the European Customs Union by road or rail? Then the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) may affect your business.

This page explains the situation in the Netherlands and the differences compared to other EU countries. This way, you will know what the consequences of ICS2 are for your Entry Summary Declaration (ESD).

Goods only enter the Netherlands by sea or air. However, sometimes goods arrive in another EU country first — for example, by road or rail — and are then transported to the Netherlands. Goods that are brought to the Netherlands by ferry in a truck or trailer also count as Entry by Sea.

What is ICS2?

ICS2 is the automated process for the Entry of Goods that applies to the entire EU. This process ensures the security of the external border. The European Commission aims to improve the quality of data for better risk analysis beforehand. Automation of the process also facilitates better data exchange among EU member states. You can find out more about the ICS2 project on the website of the European Commission.

How does this affect you?

• Soon you must submit the Notification of Arrival (NA) and Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) in the Shared Trader Interface (STI). New system specifications are available for both declarations.
• In the Entry Summary Declaration (ESD), you must provide more information, such as the commodity code, details about the packaging of the goods and the total weight.
  For more information, also read the 'Memo Informatie over HS-codes en EORI-nummers' (only available in Dutch) attached to the meeting documents of the Focus Group ODB ICS2 (Import Control System 2) of 9 February 2023.
• You need to submit part of the ENS data earlier than usual. These are the pre-load data. Ask your software provider how to prepare. Or read 'What do I have to do to connect to the STI?'

The 'Dutch Customs National Helpdesk' remains your point of contact for questions about and support for the automated processes.

Whether anything else changes for you, and when, depends on the EU member state through which you enter the goods.

Responsibility for submitting the ESD

The carrier is primarily responsible for submitting the ESD. Other parties, such as the importer, may submit the ESD instead of the carrier (Article 127(4) DWU).

For combined transport — for example, a truck and trailer on a ferry — the ferry company must submit an ESD for goods entering the Union through the Netherlands. Ferry companies can offer their clients the option to submit part of the ESD details to Customs themselves. More information can be found in our memo Multiple Filing in de Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) (only available in Dutch).

In other EU member states, the road carrier is considered the primary carrier for combined transport. They are required to submit an ESD.

Schedule for start new system specifications ICS2

The transitional period for maritime carriers ended on 1 April 2025. From that date, they are required to submit both the ESD and the Notification of Arrival via ICS2. The transitional period for road and rail carriers started on 1 April 2025 and will continue until 31 August 2025.

Can road or rail carriers request a deferment for complying with the ICS2?

In theory, yes. However, a deferment is only possible for goods entering into the Union through a EU member state other than the Netherlands.

Are you entering goods through the Netherlands? Then the ferry company already submits the ESD through ICS2. Does the ferry company offer the option for multiple filing and do you make use of that option? In that case, you are required to submit the house details of the ESD through ICS2 since 1 April 2025. Further deferments are not possible in the Netherlands.

Do you enter goods into the Union through another member state? If you have a Dutch EORI number, you can ask Dutch Customs for a deferment. If we grant your deferment request, it exclusively applies to member states other than the Netherlands. The final term for which you can request a deferment is 31 August 2025.

Why this change?

These changes are the result of the Union Customs Code (UCC). The aim is to gradually harmonise the customs entry process throughout the EU. More information can be found on 'UCC - Work Programme'(opent nieuw venster), the website of the European Commission.

The process for Temporary Storage also changes. This may have consequences for you as a road or rail carrier. Read more about this at ‘New process for Temporary Storage of sea cargo’.

Technical information

The new system specification for the ESD and the Notification of Arrival (NA) are part of the new ICS2 Harmonized Trader Interface (ICS2-HTI). The system specifications for the ICS2-HTI for the declaration for entering goods by road or rail can be found in the public online community 'ICS2 Release 3: maritime, road, rail and postal and express goods’. Visit the website of the 'Dutch Customs National Helpdesk' for the latest updates and availability.

Deployment window application

Is your company a road or rail carrier with a Dutch EORI number and do you enter goods into the EU? Then you must request a deployment window. Do this as quickly as possible. In your request, indicate when you expect to join the ICS2.

Do you have any questions?

Read more under 'ICS2 Entry of Goods: where can I go with questions?' Or watch our webinar 'Binnenbrengen en Tijdelijke Opslag Maritiem' (only available in Dutch).

For the answers to frequently asked questions, please check ‘Vragen en antwoorden over Release 3 ICS2’ (Questions and answers about Release 3 ICS2, only available in Dutch).