On 1 September, the European Union’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) fully replaces the legacy ICS1 system for goods entering or transiting the EU by road transport. The deployment window is closing, and from this date forward, all Economic Operators (EOs), including road carriers, must meet ICS2 requirements for Entry Summary Declarations (ENS).

This is not a soft transition. ICS1 will no longer be supported, and shipments that do not meet the new ENS filing standards will not be cleared. Now is the time to ensure that systems, processes and partnerships are aligned for full ICS2 compliance.

What Does the 1 September Deadline Mean for Road Transport?

ICS2 is the EU’s advanced cargo information system, designed to improve security and facilitate smoother cross-border trade. For road carriers this means:

• ENS data submitted at least 1 hour before goods arrive at the EU border.

• Legal responsibility to submit a complete and accurate ENS for all consignments.

• ENS data must include detailed goods descriptions, HS codes, transport information and full details of all parties involved.

• No fallback: incomplete or incorrect filings lead to delays, inspections or even blocked shipments.

How to Prepare Before 1 September

The full transition to ICS2 demands strong preparation and coordination. To avoid disruption, road carriers and their partners should act now:

1. Obtain or validate your EORI number
   - Every business importing or transiting goods through the EU must have a valid Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number.
   - Check that it’s active and correctly linked to your company details.

2. Review ENS filing workflows
   - Clearly define who is responsible for master-level and house-level ENS filings.
   - Ensure all required data is captured and submitted on time.
   
   

3. Ensure data quality and completeness
   - Use precise product descriptions (no generic terms).
   - Include correct HS codes, consignee details, weight and value information.
   
   

4. Train staff and partners
   - Educate internal teams and external partners on ICS2 requirements and deadlines.
   - Keep them updated on changes and best practices.
   
   

5. Leverage digital solution
   - Platforms like x7trade can automate ENS filings, validate data in real time and help to avoid border disruptions.

How x7trade Can Help

With the ICS2 deployment window closing, road carriers need a trusted partner to manage compliance reliably.

x7trade simplifies ICS2 compliance by:

• Automating ENS submissions

• Integrating seamlessly with your existing systems

• Providing real-time visibility to flag missing or incorrect data before it causes border delays

• Reducing manual workload so your teams can focus on core operations

Don’t let compliance gaps disrupt your supply chain. Book a demo with x7trade today and discover how we can secure your ICS2 compliance before the 1 September deadline.