This guide explains what Import Control System 2 (ICS2) means for your shipments to the EU and UK, and what you need to have in place to stay compliant.

Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the EU and UK's pre-arrival cargo screening system. Before any shipment is loaded onto transport bound for the EU or UK, customs authorities screen it for safety and security risks using data submitted by your carrier.

ICS2 is now fully in force across all shipment modes — air, maritime, road, and rail. The UK applies the same protocols despite no longer being part of the EU.

Carriers submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) before loading your goods — but the accuracy of that declaration depends entirely on the shipment data you provide.

If descriptions are vague or incomplete, the declaration fails screening. The result: delayed or refused shipments, and potential sanctions for your carrier.

Your responsibility is data quality. Swap handles the data submission flow to carriers, but it can only work with what you put into your product catalogue.

ICS2 requires customs-quality descriptions for every shipment. A good description includes:

See How to write product descriptions for customs compliance for a full guide with examples.

For business-to-business shipments into the EU, the recipient business must have an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. You must collect this before shipping — without it, the carrier cannot complete the ENS.

Non-EU businesses only need an EORI number if they have an EU headquarters.

Getting step 1 right is the only way to ensure the rest goes smoothly.

All three phases are now complete: