Register to use the Import Control System 2
Use this system if you're moving goods moving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain, or into Northern Ireland from countries outside the EU, and need to make an entry summary declaration.
Applies to Northern Ireland
Who should register
You’ll need to use Import Control System 2 (ICS2) to make an entry summary declarations, which is a type of safety and security declaration from:
- Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland
- countries outside the EU into Northern Ireland
- Great Britain to the EU if you have an XI EORI
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. You can continue to use the Trader Support Service to submit entry summary 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.
In the UK, this system is only for goods entering Northern Ireland. For goods into Great Britain, use the safety and security GB service.
When to register
You must use ICS2 for all movements into Northern Ireland.
From 1 April 2025, you must use ICS2, unless you have applied to use the Road Deployment Window for ICS2 (1 April 2025 to 1 September 2025) for movements by road, which includes Roll-on, Roll -off movements, both unaccompanied and accompanied into Northern Ireland or the EU.
Deployment windows must be requested from the Member State where EORI is registered because they are not automatically applicable.
Onboarding must be requested from HMRC. If you have not requested to use of the this deployment window, you must request this from HMRC as soon as possible. Email HRMC at 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
Safety and security declarations is only needed for some parcel movements from Great Britain into Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.
Find out more about sending parcels between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.
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:
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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 name, email, and address of your 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.
Updates to this page
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The new arrangements set out in the Windsor Framework have now been implemented.
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The new arrangements set out in the Windsor Framework have now been implemented.
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First published.