Business, Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics


Most EU nations set to postpone next stage of ICS2 – updated

[ August 27, 2025   //   ]

The majority of member states will postpone enforcement of the next stage of the European Union’s Import Control System scheduled to take effect on 1 September, reports the Trade Tech logistics platform.

ICS2 Release 3, officially launched in April 2025, extends the requirement to file Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) to goods moving into the EU by road and rail. ENS filings provide Customs authorities with shipment details before arrival, allowing for advance risk assessment and improved border security. However, the derogation will allow national Customs authorities to delay enforcement in their country giving companies additional time to prepare.

Countries that will grant derogations are Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France,          Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania,            Slovakia and Spain.

The postponements are expected to be in effect, in most cases, until the end of 2025 and full compliance will be mandatory once they expire.

Countries that will not grant derogations, and for which ICS2 ENS filings will be required from 1 September 2025 are: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden

Trade Tech president and co-founder, Bryn Heimbeck, noted: “ICS2 Release 3 is an important step in strengthening supply chain security in Europe. The decision to allow postponements has created different timelines across the EU, which can be challenging for participants to navigate.”

Trade Tech advises road and rail carriers to prepare now.

The International Road Transport Union has meanwhile called for  a six-month EU-wide enforcement grace period, warning that there could be major disruption at borders from 1 September.

It says that allowing some EU countries to postpone deployment could result in a fragmented situation and create confusion for operators as companies based in a country that postponed application must still check from where its goods will enter the EU. According to the Commission, if entry is through a Member State already applying ICS2, the ENS must be logged in the new system.

Tags: