IRU Advocates for a Coordinated Six-Month Transition to New EU Customs Declaration Rules for Road Transport

New EU Customs Control Challenges: A Call for Uniformity

Starting September 1, 2025, the European Union will enforce the updated version of the Import Control System 2 (ICS2 Version 3), a pivotal shift in how customs declarations for goods transported by road are managed. All road transport operators must submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) via this new system when entering the EU border. However, the rollout has been anything but smooth, prompting the International Road Transport Union (IRU) to request a unified six-month grace period throughout the EU to ease adoption.

Fragmented Implementation Across Member States

The Commission’s decision to allow member states to delay the system’s deployment has caused a patchwork of readiness. Some countries are geared up to implement the ICS2 system, while others are lagging behind. This discrepancy puts transport companies in a perplexing position: even if a firm’s headquarters is in a delayed country, shipments entering via a country already using ICS2 must adhere to the new regulations immediately.

The consequence? A bureaucratic labyrinth for operators who now face varying rules depending on entry points. This “two-speed” system not only sows confusion but also risks increased violations due to inconsistent practices across borders.

Impact on Logistics and Border Operations

The IRU highlights the risk of major disruptions at external EU land borders. Without a harmonized timeline, disparities in compliance could lead to incomplete or missing ENS declarations. Border authorities may struggle to process shipments promptly, leading to delays and queues that ripple through the entire supply chain.

Raluca Marian, IRU’s EU Promotion Director, outlined the severity of the situation, describing the upcoming rules as precipitating a bureaucratic “tangle” for road transport operators. She questioned the rationale for disparate workflows and advocated for simplification and uniform postponement.

Consequences for Freight Routing and Customs Enforcement

With uneven application of ICS2, transporters face tough decisions on routing shipments to avoid penalties or delays. Customs offices may be overwhelmed with ENS submissions that don’t meet the updated standards, potentially causing gridlock at border points.

Table: Key Risks of Staggered ICS2 Implementation

IRU’s Proposal: Six-Month Grace Period for a Smooth Transition

The IRU insists that while ICS2 is essential for security and trade facilitation, its implementation should be synchronized across all EU member states. A coordinated grace period would allow operators additional time to adapt their processes, ensuring compliance without risking border chaos.

This approach would offer legal clarity and operational stability during the transition, avoiding the pitfalls of a staggered launch that could hamper trade flows. Such coordination is particularly critical for combined and intermodal road transport, where goods may traverse multiple member states before final delivery.

Operation Recommendations

• Establish a unified timeline across the EU for ICS2 mandatory use.
• Provide a six-month grace period to align and test systems adequately.
• Enhance communication between customs authorities and road operators.
• Support training and preparatory activities for transport companies of all sizes.

Why This Matters to the Logistics Sector

Road freight is a backbone of European supply chains, responsible for moving a vast majority of goods across borders. Any disturbance in customs clearance can reverberate through the logistics ecosystem—delaying shipments, increasing costs, and affecting just-in-time deliveries.

For companies juggling bulky cargo, delicate shipments, or large-scale relocations, smooth customs procedures are critical. The complexity of the new ENS submission process against the backdrop of uneven application spells potential headaches for logistics planners and freight forwarders alike.

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Looking Forward: Implications for Global Logistics

Though the EU’s customs system adjustments primarily affect regional road transport, the ripples may extend further into international freight and shipping networks, especially for cross-border road haulage within Europe.

Synchronizing ICS2 implementation aligns with global logistics trends aiming for smoother, safer, and more transparent supply chains. While the impact may not immediately shake global logistics giants, it underscores the importance of staying ahead of regulatory shifts—a commitment GetTransport.com shares.

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摘要

The upcoming mandatory use of ICS2 Version 3 across the European Union signals a significant change in customs compliance for road freight, requiring Entry Summary Declarations at external borders. Due to uneven readiness among member states, the International Road Transport Union has called for a six-month grace period to standardize and simplify application, minimizing operational disruptions.

This transition period would help reduce border delays, avoid confusion over routing, and provide legal certainty—crucial for the fluid functioning of cross-border logistics. Platforms like GetTransport.com support these logistical needs by offering cost-efficient, transparent, and versatile cargo transportation options suited to various shipment types, including office and home moves, bulky goods, and vehicle transport.

As customs regulations evolve, leveraging reliable freight and logistics services that adapt to such shifts becomes essential for maintaining supply chain resilience in an increasingly complex European transport environment.