Register to use the Import Control System 2

Who should register

You’ll need to use Import Control System 2 (ICS2) to make a safety and security declaration for moving goods into Northern Ireland from:

• Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
• outside the EU

This replaces the existing Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICS NI).

If you’re currently registered to use the Trader Support Service to move goods into Northern Ireland, you do not need to register to use ICS2 separately. You can continue to use the Trader Support Service to submit safety and security declarations.

If you do not use the Trader Support Service, you’ll need to register with HMRC if your EORI number starts with XI.

If your EORI number does not start with XI, use the National Service Desk contact details on the CIRCABC website of the EU country (national customs authority), where your EORI number is registered.

When to register

When you’ll need to start using the system to submit a complete entry summary declaration dataset depends on your mode of transport.

ICS2 has been live for movements by air since 1 March 2023.

For freight moved by rail, road and maritime there are 3 deployment windows by which you must start using ICS2 instead of ICS NI:

• maritime and inland waterways carriers — between 3 June 2024 to 4 December 2024
• maritime and inland waterways house level filers — between 4 December 2024 to 1 April 2025
• road and rail carriers — between 1 April 2025 to 1 September 2025

You must inform HMRC of the date you intend to start using ICS2 instead of ICS NI. Your onboarding date must be no later than the end of the deployment window for your relevant mode of transport. You should do so by emailing ics.helpdesk@hmrc.gov.uk.

You will need to provide your: 

• company name 
• company address 
• EORI number 
• role in ICS2 process (for example, air carrier, postal operator, house level filer) 
• deployment window dates 
• date within this window that you expect to onboard 

For movements of parcels from Great Britain into Northern Ireland, from 30 September 2024 safety and security declarations will only be needed for applicable movements under the Windsor Framework. Email ics.helpdesk@hmrc.gov.uk if you have any questions about this.

What you’ll need to register

You’ll need your:

• EORI number
• business contact details
• plan for testing
• plan for moving into ICS2 operations

As part of the setup process, you’ll need to complete the EU’s mandatory self-conformance testing before you can start operating.

Access ICS2 test documents on the Digital Europe Programme’s CIRCABC website.

How to register

To register, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. To access the EU Shared Trader Interface (also known as the EU Customs Trader Portal), email admin.uum@hmrc.gov.uk and tell us your name, email, address of your business, and EORI number starting XI.

2. You’ll also need to submit a ‘presentation of goods’ notification when the goods arrive in Northern Ireland, which will be done through an API, use the Import Control System presentation of goods service guide.

After you’ve registered

Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. To start a test campaign, you must first email ics.helpdesk@hmrc.gov.uk and give us your EORI number, plan for testing and plan for moving into ICS2 operations.

2. To apply for the relevant user roles to submit on the system and for testing, email admin.uum@hmrc.gov.uk. You’ll need to tell us you want ICS2 Conformance and Prod roles. You’ll also need to give us the names, email, and address of business.

To start filing

You’ll need to make a request for when you’ll start to use the system based on the deployment timeframes for your mode of transport.

Email ics.helpdesk@hmrc.gov.uk if your EORI number starts with XI.