Entry summary declaration
When introducing goods into the EU, you are required to submit certain information about goods in advance to a customs authority. Normally, the transport undertaking submits this information. The information may be submitted in an entry summary declaration.
It is important to distinguish entry summary declarations from import declarations. En entry summary declaration is submitted by the transport undertaking before the goods reach the EU, whereas an import declaration is submitted by the declarant.
An entry summary declaration may be submitted for the entire consignment, even if the consignment has multiple consignors and multiple consignees.
Data filing in ICS2 - the new import control system
The entry summary declaration and the notification of the arrival of the means of transport (the notification of the arrival of the means of transport is only required for air and maritime) must be submitted in an EU-wide Import Control System (ICS2). ICS2 replaces the previous import control system. To be able to submit data in ICS2, you need to connect via the Member State where your company has its EORI number issued.
Dates for connection
ICS2 is being introduced in three releases. Release 1 and 2 are already underway and cover all goods transported by air. The third and final release, now underway, covers all other modes of transport: sea, road and rail. Depending on your role in the logistics chain, there are different dates for when you need to join:
- Maritime carriers and house filers are already up and running and submitting data in ICS2.
- From 1 April 2025, operators transporting goods by road or rail will have to submit data, or if they apply for and receive an extension, at the latest until 1 September 2025.
You can find the presentation ICS2 basics for road and rail and training material here.
How to apply for a deferred deployment date (for road and rail operators)
Apply for a deferred deployment date in the Member State where the company is registered. Companies with a Swedish EORI number are requested to fill in the information in the document Request for ICS2 R3 Deployment Window and send it to ics2.helpdesk@tullverket.se.
Request for ICS2 R3 Deployment Window (worddokument)
Word, 18 kB.
Note that you should indicate the company's ‘Role in ICS business process’ as one of the following options: road carrier or rail carrier. In case of combined transport where the road or rail operator (road carrier, rail carrier) also acts as maritime house filer, both business roles should be indicated.
The connection date for the road and rail operator with combined transport as maritime house filer should then be according to the timeframe for maritime house filer: the deployment must be completed no later than 1 April 2025.
The connection date for the road and rail operator with combined transport as maritime house filer should then be according to the timeframe for maritime house filer: connection must be made no later than 1 April 2025.
It is possible to combine for example ‘ship agent’ as a role as long as it is indicated whether it is for carrier or house filer. For more information about the implications of each role, see dokumentation som EU-kommissionen tillhandahåller, främst dokumentet ICS2-HTI-definitions.
The carrier submits the entry summary declaration
The carrier is responsible for submitting the entry summary declaration.
Different deadlines and data filing for different modes of transportation
Depending on the mode of transportation, different deadlines for submitting the entry summary declaration apply. The data to be provided also differs.
Maritime traffic
Time limits
The deadline for shipping depends on how the goods are loaded on the ship.
- Containerised cargo: 24 hours prior to loading the goods in the port of departure.
- Bulk or batch: four hours prior to the arrival of the goods to a port in the EU.
The above rules have some exceptions whereby the entry summary declaration may be submitted at the latest two hours prior to the arrival of the goods to the first port in the EU.
- Goods arriving from Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Morocco, ports in the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Black Sea or the Mediterranean.
- Moving between a territory outside the customs territory of the Union and the French overseas departments, the Azores, Madeira or the Canary Islands when the journey last for less than 24 hours.
Data filing
An entry summary declaration should be submitted in the common EU Import Control System (ICS2). Data filing in the system will happen in two stages:
- Maritime carriers, 3 june - 4 December 2024
- Marietime house filers, 4 December 2024–1 April 2025
Traffic from Norway and Switzerland will be exempt from the requirement to file a presentation notification or summary declaration, as Norway and Switzerland are part of the Security Zone.
Air traffic
Time limits
For transport by air, the information should be submitted prior to departure from the third country.
Data filing
An entry summary declaration should be submitted in the common EU Import Control System (ICS2).
Traffic from Norway and Switzerland will be exempt from the requirement to file a presentation notification or summary declaration, as Norway and Switzerland are part of the Security Zone.
By road
Time limits
An entry summary declaration for consignments transported by road should be submitted at the latest one hour before the goods arrive at the border.
Data filing
An entry summary declaration should be submitted in the old Import Control System (ICS).
The new Import Control System (ICS2) will be introduced in the road-traffic flow from 1 April to 1 September 2025.
Traffic from Norway and Switzerland will be exempt from the requirement to file a presentation notification or summary declaration, as Norway and Switzerland are part of the Security Zone.
Declaration guide for the old Import Control System (ICS), in Swedish
By rail
Time limits
The following applies to transport by rail:
- When the journey to the Customs Office of First Entry (COFE) is less than 2 hours from the station where the last train formation was formed, the information should be provided at least 1 hour before arrival.
- In other cases, the data should be provided at least 2 hours before arrival.
Data filing
An entry summary declaration should be submitted in the old Import Control System (ICS).
The new Import Control System (ICS2) will be introduced in the rail flow from 1 April to 1 September 2025.
Traffic from Norway and Switzerland will be exempt from the requirement to file a presentation notification or summary declaration, as Norway and Switzerland are part of the Security Zone.
Declaration guide for the old Import Control System (ICS), in Swedish
Exceptions from the requirement to submit an entry summary declaration
There are cases when an entry summary declaration is not required. For example, this applies to goods introduced from Norway and Switzerland, and some postal and express consignments.
Special provisions for Norway and Switzerland
Norway and Switzerland are part of the EU security zone. This means that you are not required to submit a entry summary declaration when importing goods from Norway or Switzerland.
Exceptions for some postal and express consignments arriving by air
With regard to postal and express consignments arriving by air, there are some larger goods categories where the requirement to submit an entry summary declaration is waived.
This includes:
- postal consignments - defined as letters, postcards and letters in Braille and printed materials that are exempted from import and export duties.
- diplomatic mail in accordance with the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations
- goods entering the customs territory of the Union from Ceuta and Mililla, Gibraltar, Helgoland, the Republic of San Marino, the Vatican State or the Municipality of Livigno.
- other goods mentioned in Article 104 in the Delegated Regulation.
Procedure for submitting an entry summary declaration
Read about the steps when submitting an entry summary declaration in ICS2.
Procedure for submitting an entry summary declaration
How to connect to ICS2
As an economic operator, you have various options to connect to ICS2. You can use a S2S solution or a web interface.
Frequently asked questions
On this page, we answer frequently asked questions about entry summary declarations and ICS2.
Information from the European Commission
- The European Commission`s digital collaboration platform CIRCABC. From here you can download the latest specifications and documents, as well as read important news.
- Learn more about ICS2 from the website of the European Commission
- The European Commission`s Learning Portal with courses on ICS2 for different operators
- The European Commission`s collected frequently asked questions
Declaring in the old Import Control System (ICS)
Find information that only applies to the old Import Control System here.
Declaring in the old Import Control System (ICS)
There are many ways to submit the entry summary declaration.
Digital declarations (in Swedish)
Declaration guides for submitting entry summary declarations in the old Import Control System (ICS) (in Swedish)
Please note that this declaration guide does not apply to ICS2.
The first release was introduced on 15 March 2021, which included entry summary declarations for postal and express consignments by air. Currently in Sweden, only the postal distribution service is affected.
Who?
- Postal distribution service operators
- Express operators
When?
- Implemented on 15 March 2021.
What?
- A limited amount of information is provided for each consignment prior to loading.
Other information
Zoom imageRelease 1 was introduced on 15 March 2021 and includes postal and express consignments by air.
The second release was launched 1 March 2023, and includes entry summary declarations for all consignments shipped by air. Postal and express consignors, transport operators and other actors handling goods from third countries that are shipped by air in Sweden are affected.
Who?
- Postal distribution service operators
- Express operators
- Other actors involved in importing goods to Sweden by air
When?
Launched on 1 March 2023.
What?
- A complete set of information is provided prior to loading: a pre-loading declaration, including a minimum data set or a complete entry summary declaration, is required for all goods.
- Multiple filing has been introduced, allowing the provision of information on multiple levels, and, in some cases, multiple information providers, in the same entry summary declaration.
- The information is submitted directly to the Member State where the goods enter the Union, via the EU-wide new import control system, ICS2.
Other information
- Entry summary declaration for goods consignments transported by air
- The website of the European Commission contains information sheets pertaining to Technical preparations och New requirements for bringing goods by air to or through the EU, as well as a short informational video about release 2.
Zoom imageRelease 2 is scheduled for 01 March 2023 and includes all goods consignments shipped by air.
The third and final release includes entry summary declarations for all consignments, regardless of their means of transport. Postal and express consignors, transport operators and other actors transporting goods from third countries to the European Union will be affected.
Who?
- Postal distribution service operators
- Express operators
- Other actors involved in importing goods to Sweden by air, water and land.
When?
- 3 June 2024 – 4 December 2024 Maritime and inland waterway carriers
- 4 December 2024 – 1 April 2025 Maritime and inland waterway house level filers
- 1 April 2025 – 1 September 2025 Road and rail carriers
What?
- A complete set of information is provided for each consignment.
- The information is submitted directly to the Member State where the goods enter the Union, via the EU-wide system the new import control system, ICS2.
Other information
- EU:s information about ICS2 fas 3 and the fact sheet "How to prepare".
- A short promotion video
- Find project information about release 3 on the website of the European Union.
- Documents and learning material on the website of the European Union (material is published continuously).
- For questions about ICS2 release 3, please contact us via our web form.
- For technical support, please contact us via our web form Technical problems.
Zoom imageRelease 3 will be introduced in three steps, beginning in June 2024.
Last updated:
What is updated: Technical change