Europe’s ICS2 System: Navigating Challenges for UK Freight and Logistics

Europe’s new customs framework, the Import Control System 2 (ICS2), officially launched its mandatory compliance in several EU member states starting January 1. However, the rollout’s inconsistencies are creating significant challenges for UK freight and logistics businesses.

Mandatory Compliance Across Europe

The ICS2 rules require advance shipment notifications for goods entering specific EU countries, including Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Lithuania, Hungary, Finland, Greece, and Bulgaria. Other nations like Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia are still permitted to utilize the previous ICS1 system until June 1 due to temporary derogations. The primary aim of these new regulations is to enhance safety and security by allowing customs officials to review cargo more thoroughly before it arrives at EU borders.

Inconsistent Enforcement Creates Uncertainty

Despite the official launch, the practical application of ICS2 has been far from smooth. Reports indicate that some carriers are unsure about how to comply, leading to an inconsistent enforcement landscape across the EU. In some instances, trucks lacking proper documentation have been allowed to pass through borders, while others have not stopped to fulfill reporting obligations.

Joe Jeffery, Director of Zelir Logistics, emphasized the uncertainty in the system: “There’s a lot of uncertainty and mixed messaging around this roll-out. We’re getting reports that transporters who haven’t got the documents are not being stopped at the border.”

Jeffery highlighted that this inconsistency has led many hauliers to deprioritize compliance. “When they don’t see it being enforced, it slips further down the priority list,” he added.

Upcoming Changes and the Importance of Compliance

An additional layer of complexity is on the horizon: France’s Smart Border system and the forthcoming Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO). Though the implementation of ELO has been postponed, Jeffery warns that it will soon be mandatory, and operators must be compliant with ICS2 to access it.

Zelir Logistics estimates that as of now, only about 60% of the operators transporting goods have completed ICS2 filings. The company is advising clients against taking unnecessary risks by ignoring compliance.

Understanding ICS2 Requirements

The ICS2 framework mandates comprehensive shipment information, including details about the contents, sender, receiver, and other critical data before products reach the first EU customs office. Failure to submit accurate declarations could lead to significant delays, confiscations, or even rejections at customs.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The uneven enforcement of ICS2 underscores broader systemic challenges as member states work to integrate their national systems with the EU regulatory platform. Some countries have begun rigorous compliance checks, while others are still applying temporary leniency. Consequently, the full impact of ICS2 is likely to be felt more significantly in the latter part of 2026. UK freight and logistics operators must remain vigilant and proactive in adopting these new compliance requirements to avoid disruptions in their operations.