Use of ICS2 for freight by road/rail from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Update!
Using ICS2 for freight by road/rail from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Update!.
UK HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has informed businesses involved in the carriage of goods by road (including roll-on roll-off) from the UK to Northern Ireland of upcoming changes to the safety and security (ENS) declaration system.
The system for submitting safety and security declarations, known as Entry Summary Statements (ENS), for movements of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is changing. Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICS NI) is being replaced by Import Control System 2 (ICS2) and companies have been asked to move to ICS2 by 1 September 2025.
If you are already using ICS2, proceed. If you assume you are ready to migrate to ICS2 by 1 September 2025, you should continue to prepare and carry out the migration as planned.
The HRMC reports that it is acutely aware of the readiness issues for companies in the wider ICS2 rollout and among those transporting goods to Northern Ireland who may be struggling to prepare for the migration to ICS2 by 1 September. It is currently exploring options to support these businesses by allowing them additional time to prepare.
Businesses that are not ready to use ICS2 by 1 September should continue to submit ENS declarations via ICS NI until the final date for mandatory use of ICS2. HMRC says it will postpone this date as soon as possible, but it will be no later than the end of December 2025.
ENS declarations are not required for parcel shipments sent from and to consumers (i.e. private individuals) in Northern Ireland.
For the physical movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
If you are currently using the Trader Support Service (TSS), you can still submit ENS returns using ICS NI or the new ICS2 data set if you are ready to do so. There is no need to register to use ICS2 - TSS will do this on your behalf.
If you do not use the TSS to submit ENS declarations, you will need to register with the EU Shared Trader Interface (also known as the EU Customs Trader Portal) to submit declarations to ICS2. More information about registration can be found on GOV.UK: *Register to use the Import Control System 2*.
You do not need to take any action if you are already using ICS2, or will be ready to do so by 1 September, for overland freight (including roll-on roll-off) from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
For the dispatch or collection of goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
If you are a business sending or receiving goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, it is important to:
- contact the physical persons transporting your goods, such as a road haulier, freight forwarder or express carrier
- ensure that your supply chain has the right information at the right time so that goods can be moved smoothly and efficiently
More information can be found on GOV.UK:
* ** **using ICS2**: * CLICK HERE
* ** **using TSS**: * CLICK HERE
