Switzerland is joining the EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2)

Switzerland has decided to join the EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) to increase security in the international movement of goods and advance the digitization of customs processes. This agreement is an update on ZESA, an agreement made between Switzerland and the EU in 2009.

What is ICS2?

The ICS2 is a new customs pre-arrival security and safety program, underpinned by a large-scale advanced cargo information system. The system collects data on all goods imported into the common security area of Switzerland, the EU and Norway before they reach the external border of the security area.

It is an essential EU instrument for managing entry security and safety border controls in the customs field, supporting the (EU) Member States’ Customs to better assess risks and protect the EU and its citizens against hazardous or dangerous imports and illegal trade.

Benefits of ICS2

ICS2 introduces more efficient and effective EU customs security and safety capabilities that will:

• Increase the protection of EU citizens and the internal market against security and safety threats;
• Allow EU Customs authorities to better identify high-risk consignments and intervene at the most appropriate point in the supply chain;
• Support proportionate targeted customs measures at the external borders in crisis response scenarios;
• Facilitate cross-border clearance for legitimate trade;
• Simplify the exchange of information between Economic Operators (EOs) and EU Customs Authorities.

What does this mean for your business?

The implementation of ICS2 concerns especially businesses with an international setup or global supply dealing with third countries. In such a case additional security data are required for the import customs procedures. The operators will have to provide electronic data in the format of the electronic Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to the ICS2 in advance, for all goods brought into the common security area of the EU, Switzerland and Norway.

The electronic Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) will be mandatory for all express and postal consignments destined to enter the Union customs territory.

Source: An official website of the European Union

Read more about ICS here.