FAQ ICS2

ICS2 is an EU-wide project introducing security declarations for goods transported into the European security area. Swiss participation provides new opportunities for risk analysis and strengthens supply chain security. Learn about the involved transport modes and the system's phased implementation.

• What is ICS2?

  ICS2 is a cross-European project of the European Union (TAXUD). ICS2 introduces advance security declarations (entry summary declarations) for consignments from third countries into the European security area (EU-CH-NO). Switzerland decided to participate in the ICS2 project based on the Agreement on the simplification of inspections and formalities in respect of the carriage of goods and on customs security measures (SR 0.631.242.05).

• What is the aim of ICS2?

  ICS2 aims to achieve the following objectives:

  • Improve cooperation between national customs authorities
  • Improve supply chain security
  • Multiple filing
    • Advance transmission of cargo information
    • Transmission of ENS data by different individuals
  • Integration of all modes of transport (incl. post)
  • Full replacement of security amendment import (ICS1)

• Why is Switzerland participating in ICS2?

  Switzerland forms a common customs security area with the EU and Norway. It is based on the Agreement on the simplification of inspections and formalities in respect of the carriage of goods and on customs security measures between Switzerland and the EU, and the agreement between Switzerland and Norway (SR 0.632.315.982). This enables a smooth exchange of goods with the EU and contributes to Switzerland's security. The Agreement between Switzerland and the EU is based on the equivalence of the customs security measures of the contracting states vis-à-vis third countries. In order to implement the new developments resulting from the current update of the Agreement, Switzerland has decided to participate in ICS2. It is the most efficient and cost-effective option for both businesses and the administration.

• What are the advantages of Switzerland's participation in ICS2?

  ICS2 and access to the Common Repository (CR) open up new perspectives for risk analysis and thus risk management. The FOCBS will thus have access to entry summary declarations of consignments destined for Switzerland, about which it previously had no information, in all modes of transport (currently only direct imports in air transport). It can therefore participate in and influence the risk analysis of these consignments, which arrive at the ports of Rotterdam or Antwerp, for example, and are then transported to Switzerland by lorry or train.

• What if Switzerland did not participate in ICS2?

  Regardless of whether Switzerland participates in ICS2 or not, consignments destined for Switzerland and entering Switzerland via EU territory must be declared in advance at the EU external border. The corresponding security data is therefore already available to the EU. Participation in ICS2 gives Switzerland the opportunity to participate in the risk analysis of consignments destined for Switzerland, to influence this analysis and, should a security check become necessary, to carry it out at the appropriate location, e.g. in Switzerland.

• What is prescribed by the EU, what does Switzerland do independently?

  The EU provides the common database: the Common Repository. This distributes the entry summary declarations of the economic operators (EO) to the responsible member states, including Switzerland and Norway. Switzerland and the FOCBS are developing an IT system that processes the incoming declarations and carries out a risk analysis. Communication between the FOCBS and the EOs concerning checks on goods in Switzerland is regulated at national level.

• Which sectors/types of transport are affected and when?

  The EU envisages 3 phases (releases), which also apply to Switzerland:

  • ICS2 Release 1: 15.03.2021, Express carriers (couriers) and postal operators (Zurich and Geneva airports)
  • ICS2 Release 2: 01.03.2023, Air general cargo (Zurich and Geneva airports)
  • ICS2 Release 3:
    • Waterways* (Master-Level Filers) 03.06.2024
    • Waterways* (House-Level Filers) 04.12.2024
    • Roads* and railways* 01.04.2025

  *external border of the common security area

  

  UDSC — © FOCBS

• To which business sectors and transport routes does ICS2 apply?

  The EU envisages 3 phases (releases), which also apply to Switzerland:

  • ICS2 Release 1: 15.03.2021, Express carriers (couriers) and postal operators (Zurich and Geneva airports)
  • ICS2 Release 2: 01.03.2023, Air general cargo (Zurich and Geneva airports)
  • ICS2 Release 3:
    • Waterways* (Master-Level Filers) 03.06.2024
    • Waterways* (House-Level Filers) 04.12.2024
    • Roads* and railways* 01.04.2025

  *external border of the common security area

  In principle, the carrier is responsible for submitting the entry summary declaration on time. However, within the framework of multiple filing, other economic operators can also participate in the entry summary declaration, but must enter an EORI number in the TAXUD system to do so.

• What is the scope of the data to be provided?

  The scope of data delivery can be found in Annex B of the EU data catalogue at the following link:

  EUCDM 6.2 (softdev.eu.com)

  By clicking on “Source text” under “UCC Annex B”, and selecting the “Table legend” tab, you will see an overview of the declaration types and the deployment dates.

• Do Swiss traders need an Economic Operators' Registration and Identification (EORI) number?

  Participation in ICS2 requires the detailed implementation of the overarching TAXUD specification, including the transmission of an EORI number. In Switzerland, airlines and Swiss Post are subject to the use of an EORI number if they use ICS2 to declare direct imports from third countries in advance at the international airports of Zurich and Geneva.
  Effective from the second release (1 March 2023), an EORI number may also be required in Switzerland by companies that want to make use of the multiple filing option.

• What about data protection?

  In principle, the information in the Common Repository is protected and can only be accessed with the appropriate access authorisation. It is subject to professional confidentiality and personal data protection. As previously, the Agreement stipulates that this information may not be disclosed to anyone other than the competent bodies of the contracting party concerned, nor may it be used by these bodies for purposes other than those provided for in this Agreement.

• What happens if a country classifies a consignment as a risk?

  Consignments that are classified as a risk generate a so-called HIT and must be checked by a customs employee. Depending on the time of detection (PLACI, ENS), the customs employee has various options. In the case of PLACI in air transport, further information such as invoices and delivery notes can be requested from the EO (request for information, RFI) or a request for amendment (RFA) of the data can be made. Screening (e.g. X-ray or opening of the package) can also be requested (request for screening, RFS). In order to prevent explosives, for example, from being loaded on board an aircraft, PLACI can issue a Do Not Load (DNL) order if there is concrete cause for suspicion. In the case of ENS, the goods can be physically checked on arrival (depending on the risk level, at the external border of the common security area or at the final destination).

• What should be indicated if the recipient does not have an EORI number?

  The summary entry declarations of ICS2 (ENS filings) provide for an “Identification Number” as an optional data element for the consignee and other parties involved in the shipment.
  If the consignee (or another party involved) in Switzerland does not have an EORI number, this data field can be left blank.