Preparing for ICS2: A complete guide for businesses moving goods to Northern Ireland

From 31 December 2025, all businesses moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland must comply with the Import Control System 2 (ICS2). ICS2 is the UK’s updated safety and security declaration system for goods entering Northern Ireland and the EU. It replaces the previous Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICS NI) and helps ensure that shipments meet all safety, security, and customs requirements.

What ICS2 Covers

ICS2 supports businesses in submitting:

• Pre-arrival entry summary declarations (safety and security declarations)

• Notifications of arrival of goods

• Presentation of goods notifications

• Safety and security risk assessments

Who needs to use ICS2

You’ll need to use ICS2 if you move goods:

• By air, maritime, road, or rail from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

• From countries outside the EU into Northern Ireland

• From Great Britain to the EU

For some parcel movements under the Windsor Framework, entry summary declarations are also required.

If you currently use the Trader Support Service, you can continue using it to submit declarations, registration for ICS2 is not required in that case. Otherwise, ICS2 registration is mandatory.

Registration and onboarding

Businesses not using the Trader Support Service must provide:

• Company name and address

• EORI number

• Role in the ICS2 process (e.g., air carrier, postal operator, house-level filer)

• Deployment window dates and expected onboarding date

To register with HMRC, email ics.helpdesk@hmrc.gov.uk (for EORI numbers starting XI).

How ICS2 works

Businesses will need to submit:

• Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) – for air shipments only

• Entry summary declarations

• Arrival notifications

• Presentation of goods notifications – confirms goods have arrived and are ready for inspection

PLACI, entry summary declarations, and arrival notifications are submitted through the EU Shared Trader Interface. To gain access, email admin.uum@hmrc.gov.uk with your contact details and EORI number.

Presentation of goods notifications must be submitted via the HMRC Presentation of Goods API. This requires either:

• Developing software in-house

• Using an IT provider or software developer

You must also be enrolled for the Import Control System service on the Government Gateway. Activation codes can take up to 10 days to arrive, so factor this into your preparations.

For shipments using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service, arrival and presentation notifications are automatically submitted if you include the entry summary declaration and Movement Reference Number (MRN) in your goods movement reference.

Preparing for ICS2

To ensure compliance:

• Coordinate with hauliers, carriers, and intermediaries to provide all required information

• Ensure all declarations are accurate, complete, and submitted on time

• Review your current systems and processes for submitting declarations and make adjustments if needed

Source HMRC (www.gov.uk)

Stay ahead of HMRC updates

Customs rules are constantly evolving, and early preparation is essential to avoid disruptions. If you need support with ICS2, customs declarations, or any aspect of customs compliance, we’re here to help.

Contact our expert team today at international@gmchamber.co.uk  and let us guide you through the changes, keeping your business compliant and your operations running smoothly.