The Trader Support Service (TSS) has begun rolling out updates to the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) process for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland via Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) transport. These updates are part of the broader implementation of Import Control System 2 (ICS2), which is being introduced to improve safety and security checks across the EU.
ICS2 is already live for air and sea freight entering Northern Ireland. The next phase includes road transport—both accompanied and unaccompanied RoRo shipments.
đź“… Key Date: 1 September 2025
From this date, all carriers moving goods into Northern Ireland or the wider EU must switch from the existing ICS-NI system to ICS2. The ICS-NI system will no longer be in use after this point.
A Quick Recap: What Is ICS2?
ICS2 is the EU’s new security and safety data management system, which oversees:
- Lodging pre-arrival Entry Summary Declarations
- Confirming goods arrival
- Presenting goods to customs
- Assessing safety and security risks
What’s Changing for TSS Users?
The TSS portal is being updated to comply with ICS2’s enhanced data requirements. Some of the key changes include:
- RoRo Movement Type: You must indicate whether the RoRo movement is accompanied or unaccompanied.
- Additional Details for Unaccompanied Movements: You’ll need to provide the vessel’s IMO (International Maritime Organisation) number and the trailer identifier.
- Full Contact Information: Names and addresses of the Carrier, Importer/Exporter, Consignor/Consignee must be included. Where possible, their EORI numbers should also be submitted. TSS is working to introduce auto-fill functionality to make this easier.
- Product Information: Each consignment must include a 6- or 8-digit HS code along with a detailed description of the goods.
TSS will continue to support ENS submissions for RoRo (accompanied and unaccompanied) and maritime shipments. If you submit your ENS through TSS, you do not need to register separately for ICS2 for road movements.
What About Arrival and Presentation of Goods?
To meet ICS2’s new requirements, HMRC is introducing a new service to manage the arrival and presentation of goods for RoRo traffic. This will involve entering all relevant Entry Summary Declaration Movement Reference Numbers (MRNs) into the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS). This step ensures the ENS data is correctly transferred to the ICS2 system.
When Will These Changes Go Live on the TSS Portal?
From July 2025, TSS will allow users to submit ENS using either the existing ICS-NI system or the new ICS2 process. This transition period gives users time to familiarise themselves with the changes ahead of the 1 September 2025 deadline, when ICS2 becomes mandatory.
For TSS API users, integration with ICS2 requirements is already possible for unaccompanied movements, and will be extended to accompanied RoRo traffic from early July.
Need More Information or an expert customs team to call your own? customs@tstgroup.uk
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