Delving into the Entry Summary Declaration
The Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) is a crucial customs document serving for safety and security purposes, enabling customs authorities to perform risk analysis before goods arrive or depart the territory.
It's a declaration that contains a set of basic data about the goods, the carrier, and the route. Its purpose is to provide EU customs authorities with advance information about the shipment so they can conduct a safety and security risk analysis. This allows them to identify potential threats or illicit activities without needing to inspect the entire cargo.
The Two Types of Summary Declarations
There are two types, depending on whether the goods are entering or leaving the customs territory of the European Union. Let's detail each of them:
1. Entry Summary Declaration (ENS):
Purpose: Submitted for goods entering the EU from a third country.
When to submit: Must be submitted to the customs office of the first point of entry into the EU before the goods arrive. Deadlines vary depending on the mode of transport (e.g., hours for air transport, days for sea transport).
Who submits it: The responsibility lies with the carrier (the airline, shipping company, or road haulier) bringing the goods into the EU territory.
2. Exit Summary Declaration (EXS):
Purpose: Submitted for goods leaving the EU for a third country.
When to submit: Submitted to the customs office of exit before the goods leave the territory.
Who submits it: The primary responsibility usually rests with the carrier.
The system for managing these declarations in the EU is known as ICS2 (Import Control System 2), which has digitized and centralized the process. The summary declaration is part of the Customs Single Window system and is being implemented in phases from 2021 to 2025.
The following economic operators managing goods destined for or transiting through the European Union, Norway, or Switzerland can and must access ICS2:
1. Carriers
Air (already mandatory)
Maritime (mandatory since June 2024)
Rail and Road (mandatory since March 2025)
2. Freight Forwarders and Customs Agents
Especially if they submit the ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) on behalf of carriers or consignees. In the case of consolidated transport, they must also declare their cargo data.
3. Shippers/Consignors
If they are outside the EU, they must provide complete safety and security data (6-digit HS Code, precise goods description, consignee and exporter details).
4. Importers in the EU
Must ensure their logistics partners comply with the obligation to submit data in ICS2. They can delegate the procedure but remain responsible.
5. Logistics Platforms, Marketplaces, and Postal Operators
Amazon, Royal Mail, DHL, etc., are already integrated because they move millions of shipments annually and must comply with ICS2 rules.
Furthermore, it's important to note that a series of technical requirements are necessary to access ICS2 and make summary declarations, such as being registered as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) or having a valid EORI number.
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