New arrangements for businesses moving goods from GB to NI by parcels or freight through roll-on roll-off ferry
Traders should be aware of new arrangements for entry summary (ENS) declarations from 1 September 2025.
Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the new safety and security information system for movements into NI and the European Union (EU) that supports
- lodging of pre-arrival ENS declarations
- notification of arrival of goods
- presentation of goods
- assessment of safety and security risk
This system is replacing the current ‘Import Control System Northern Ireland’ (ICS NI).
You’ll need to use the ICS2 system to continue to make ENS declarations when moving goods by air, maritime, road or rail from
- GB to NI
- countries outside of the EU into NI
- GB to the EU
ENS declarations will only be needed for business-to-business (B2B) parcel movements from GB to NI under the Windsor Framework. They are not required for parcels being sent to consumers.
You will need to provide the same data you provide now, alongside some additional data specifically for ICS2 purposes.
ENS declarations must be complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
What information you will need to supply to your haulier
When moving goods on your behalf, your haulier or other logistics business will need certain information to ensure the ENS declarations are completed so your goods move quickly and smoothly.
To keep your goods moving, it is important you are ready to provide this information to the relevant person in your supply chain.
The type of information or data that you will be asked to provide before the goods move into to the EU or NI will include the following
- description of your goods
- 6-digit commodity code
- total amount of goods (mass)
- buyer and seller information
- place of delivery
- any additional information or supporting documents (for example, licences and certificates)
It is important that you speak to those moving goods on your behalf to ensure they have the correct information, at the correct time, to ensure your goods move as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Further support
The Trader Support Service can help you prepare for new arrangements for freight and will continue to support customers when the new arrangements come into effect.
The free service offers comprehensive advice and training about the changes to the way goods move under the Windsor Framework.
If you have any further question relating to ICS2 in NI, you can email the NI stakeholder engagement team.
For support with parcels movements, please contact your parcel carrier or fast parcel operator.
First published 9 July 2025
