ENS Declaration for the EU

An ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) contains safety and security data for goods entering the customs territory of the European Union. The carrier submits this information before the goods arrive, allowing customs authorities to carry out a pre-arrival risk analysis in ICS2 (Import Control System 2).

ENS requirements apply to all modes of transport. In this guide, we focus mainly on road and rail transport, where ENS filing is closely linked to NCTS Phase 6. ICS2 also covers maritime and air transport, although shipping lines and airlines usually handle the declarations in those sectors.

Since 1 June 2026, goods entering the EU require a valid ENS. A carrier can submit the ENS directly to ICS2. In countries operating NCTS Phase 6 under the opt-in model, safety and security data may also be included in the transit declaration. Filing a separate ENS directly in ICS2 remains possible in opt-in countries. The European Commission confirms that consignments entering the EU must have an ENS filed either directly in ICS2 or through the combined NCTS P6 declaration where the opt-in model is available. Taxation and Customs Union

In practice, filing ENS separately can offer operational advantages. It allows the carrier to submit the data earlier and start the security risk analysis before the vehicle or train reaches the border. If ICS2 identifies missing or incorrect information, the operator has more time to respond instead of dealing with the issue during border processing. The European Commission warns that incomplete ENS data may result in additional messages and delays during entry. Taxation and Customs Union

Who is responsible for submitting an ENS?

As a general rule, the carrier bringing the goods into the customs territory of the European Union is responsible for lodging the ENS. The European Commission confirms this principle in its ICS2 guidance. Taxation and Customs Union

For road transport, this will usually be the haulage company operating the vehicle across the EU external border. For rail transport, the obligation will normally rest with the relevant rail carrier.

The carrier does not necessarily have to submit the declaration to ICS2 itself. A customs agent, freight forwarder or IT service provider can prepare and submit the ENS on the carrier’s behalf.

If the carrier does not hold all the information required for a complete ENS, other participants in the supply chain may provide the missing data. This could include the importer, consignee or freight forwarder.

ICS2 also supports multiple filing, where more than one party submits parts of the information required for the ENS. The European Commission specifically provides for this where the carrier does not have all the required data. Taxation and Customs Union

The key requirement is that ICS2 receives the complete set of required information before the goods arrive at the border.

When is an ENS required in practice?

For road transport, an ENS is generally required when goods:

  • enter the EU from a third country,
  • move through the EU under transit,
  • enter from countries such as Great Britain, Switzerland, Ukraine or another country outside the EU customs territory.

The same general principle applies to rail transport.

For road and rail movements, operators can submit the ENS directly to ICS2. In countries using NCTS Phase 6 opt-in, they may alternatively include the safety and security data in the transit declaration. Taxation and Customs Union

When must an ENS be submitted?

The ENS must be submitted before the goods arrive in the customs territory of the European Union. The deadline depends on how the goods cross the EU external border.

For road transport, where the vehicle crosses the border as the active means of transport, the ENS must be lodged no later than:

1 hour before arrival at the customs office of first entry.

For rail transport, the deadline is:

  • 1 hour before arrival if the journey from the last train formation station outside the EU to the customs office of first entry takes less than two hours,
  • 2 hours before arrival in all other cases.

These time limits are set out in the Union Customs Code Delegated Regulation. EUR-Lex

Road transport from Great Britain by ferry

A truck travelling from Great Britain to the EU by ferry is a special case.

In combined transport, where one means of transport is itself carried on another active means of transport, the ENS deadline follows the rules applicable to the active means of transport entering the EU. EUR-Lex

For a truck carried on a ferry from Great Britain to an EU port, the maritime time limit therefore applies.

The ENS should normally be submitted no later than 2 hours before the vessel arrives at the first EU port of entry.

Should you wait until the last possible moment?

No. These are legal deadlines, not recommended filing times.

One of the main advantages of ICS2 is that customs can start analysing safety and security data before the transport reaches the EU border.

If the ENS contains incomplete or incorrect information, ICS2 may reject the filing or issue a message requesting additional information or further action. The European Commission notes that these situations can delay ENS processing and the entry of the goods. Taxation and Customs Union

For this reason, it is usually better to submit the ENS as early as possible once complete and reliable transport data is available.

ENS in ICS2 or safety and security data in NCTS?

For road and rail transport, operators can provide ENS data in two ways.

The first option is to submit a separate ENS directly to ICS2.

If the movement also requires transit, the carrier or its representative then submits a separate transit declaration in NCTS.

The second option is to include the safety and security data in the NCTS Phase 6 transit declaration.

This option is only available in countries that have implemented NCTS P6 opt-in and enabled the link between NCTS and ICS2.

In countries operating NCTS P6 opt-out, operators cannot include ENS data in the transit declaration. They must submit a separate ENS to ICS2.

Importantly, operators may also submit a separate ENS directly to ICS2 in opt-in countries. The availability of NCTS P6 opt-in does not force the carrier to combine the safety and security data with the transit declaration. Taxation and Customs Union

Why submit ENS separately to ICS2?

From an operational perspective, Simple Duty generally prefers early and separate ENS filing directly to ICS2 where the transport process allows it.

This separates two different processes:

ENS → ICS2 → safety and security risk analysis

and

Transit → NCTS → transit procedure

The carrier can submit the ENS before the vehicle or train reaches the border. ICS2 can then begin the risk analysis based on the data provided.

If the information is incomplete or incorrect, ICS2 may reject the filing or request additional information or action.

Submitting the ENS earlier gives the carrier an opportunity to deal with such messages before the transport reaches the border.

By the time the vehicle arrives, ENS processing has already started. In correctly handled cases, ICS2 may complete the relevant analysis before the transport reaches the border.

The operator can then focus on the second process, for example opening or processing the transit movement in NCTS.

Separating ENS and transit can therefore reduce the number of processes handled simultaneously at the border, reduce the risk of delays and make the overall workflow easier to automate.

How do you submit an ENS to the EU?

An ENS must be submitted electronically to ICS2. This requires a technical solution capable of communicating with the system.

A carrier can use its own IT solution or ask a customs agent, freight forwarder or service provider with access to ICS2 to prepare and submit the declaration.

For regular movements, automation becomes particularly valuable. It allows businesses to prepare ENS declarations before the transport reaches the border and reduces the amount of manual data entry required for each movement.

ENS for the EU in the Simple Duty application

The Simple Duty application allows users to prepare and submit ENS declarations directly to ICS2.

The current version is designed primarily for road transport from Great Britain to the European Union. Users can prepare and submit the ENS themselves before the vehicle reaches the EU border.

For rail transport, other road routes or regular operations involving larger volumes of ENS declarations, we can adapt the process to the customer’s transport model and operational requirements.

If you want to submit ENS declarations yourself, use our application.

👉 Go to the Simple Duty application

If you require a solution for rail transport, another route or a more complex ENS process, use the contact form available under “Start the procedure” in the top-right corner of the website.