Moving goods into the EU is complex due to the Import Control System 2 (ICS2). This customs security program requires logistics providers to submit accurate Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) before cargo is loaded or arrives. The challenge is that the information customs demand is often scattered across multiple documents, which makes extracting this data difficult.
Trying to manually enter all these details while racing against pre-loading deadlines adds pressure to already busy operations. Even one incorrect or missing data point can result in shipments being delayed, held at customs, or fined. These setbacks damage customer trust and increase costs for your business.
Automating this process removes the bottleneck. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) capture and structure every required data point from shipping documents in seconds, with up to 99 percent accuracy. This ensures that your ENS submissions meet ICS2 requirements quickly and reliably, allowing you to keep goods moving without compliance stress.
In this blog, we will discuss what ICS2 is, the data challenges it creates, why manual processing no longer works, and how automation can help your business stay compliant while improving efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- ICS2 is a phased EU customs security program that requires detailed Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) before goods arrive or are loaded.
- Required ENS data includes HS codes, precise product descriptions, gross and net weights, EORI numbers, and complete consignor/consignee details.
- These data points are often buried in unstructured documents such as invoices, Air Waybills, Bills of Lading, and packing lists.
- Manual entry is slow, error-prone, and incompatible with ICS2’s strict pre-loading deadlines.
- OCR and IDP can automate the extraction, validation, and structuring of ENS data in seconds while reducing compliance risk, delays and increasing operational efficiency.
What is ICS2 and Why It Matters for Your Business
ICS2, or the Import Control System 2, is the European Union’s advanced customs security program. It requires all logistics providers to submit detailed Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) before goods are loaded or arrive at EU borders. The aim is to strengthen supply chain security by ensuring customs officials have accurate shipment data in advance.
The system has been introduced in phases. Phase 1 applied to air cargo, followed by Phase 2 which extended requirements to air freight involving postal and express carriers. Phase 3, which is now rolling out, covers maritime, road, and rail transport. Each phase has tightened data rules and expanded the scope of goods affected.
Under ICS2, customs demand highly specific information that includes:
- At least a six-digit HS code for each item
- Detailed product descriptions that avoid vague terms
- Gross and net weight per shipment or line item
- EORI numbers for all parties involved
- Complete consignor and consignee details
- Transport route information
Failing to provide complete and accurate data can trigger shipment delays, cargo being held at the border, or financial penalties. For logistics providers and carriers, adapting to these requirements is not optional. Building an efficient, error-free data process is becoming a core part of doing business in the EU market.
ICS2 Data Requirements and Why They Are a Challenge
Meeting ICS2 standards means providing customs with comprehensive, precise data for every shipment entering the EU. This is not limited to general shipment details but involves line-item accuracy and party identification.
The key data points required include:
- HS codes with at least six digits for each line item
- Clear and specific product descriptions (avoiding ambiguous terms like “parts” or “goods”)
- Gross and net weight for every shipment
- EORI numbers for all involved parties, including consignor, consignee, and carrier
- Full address details for seller, buyer, and carrier
- Transport route information such as mode of transport, ports, and destinations
These data points are often locked inside various unstructured and non-standardized logistics documents, such as:
- PDF commercial invoices
- Scanned Air Waybills (AWB)
- Paper Bills of Lading (BoL)
- Packing lists and Dangerous Goods Declarations
Extracting this information manually is time-consuming and error prone. In high-volume logistics operations, this bottleneck is made worse by the strict pre-loading deadlines set by ICS2. One missing HS code or incorrect EORI number can result in customs holds, creating delays that ripple across your supply chain.
The Bottleneck: Manual Data Entry in a Pre-Loading World
The shift to pre-loading data submissions under ICS2 has made manual data entry more problematic than ever. In the past, logistics providers could often gather and submit required customs data after goods were in transit. Now, every data point must be ready before cargo is loaded, whether it is air, maritime, road, or rail transport.
This creates several challenges for logistics providers:
- Tighter filing windows leave little room for errors or rework
- Increasing shipment volumes require faster data turnaround without adding staff
- High compliance risk as even minor mistakes can trigger customs referrals and delays
- Operational strain on staff who must interpret diverse document formats and languages
- Higher costs due to overtime, rework, and penalties for missed deadlines
The complexity is compounded by the need to process documents coming from multiple sources. One shipment might involve several commercial invoices, Air Waybills, or Bills of Lading, each containing crucial details required for the ENS filing.
Relying on manual data entry to meet these demands not only increases the risk of human error but also places constant pressure on teams to work against the clock. In a pre-loading environment, delays at the start can cascade into much larger disruptions throughout your supply chain.
The Solution: Automating the Document-to-ENS Workflow
Overcoming the ICS2 compliance challenge starts with eliminating the manual data entry bottleneck. By digitizing and structuring all required shipment details at speed, you can meet filing deadlines with accuracy and confidence.
Klippa DocHorizon combines OCR with IDP to extract, validate, and deliver customs-ready data from invoices, waybills, and other logistics documents. The process is fast, precise, and designed for high-volume workflows.
Automated Line-Item Extraction for HS Codes
ICS2 requires exact line-item data rather than summary totals.
How Klippa helps:
- Detects and captures individual line items from commercial invoices and packing lists
- Extracts six-digit HS codes, detailed commodity descriptions, and net weights
- Ensures every item meets customs’ specificity standards
This will avoid rejected filings caused by vague descriptions or incomplete codes.
Instant Digitization of Transport Documents
Air Waybills (AWB), Bills of Lading (BoL), and other transport documents contain essential ENS details.
How Klippa helps:
- Parses scanned transport documents within seconds
- Extracts consignor and consignee information, gross weights, and transport routes
- Prepares data for both Master and House ENS filings
This speeds up data collection to meet pre-loading deadlines and prevents shipment holds.
Data Validation and Party Identification
Accurate EORI numbers and addresses are critical for ICS2 compliance.
How Klippa helps:
- Extracts address data and cross-checks formats against official records
- Matches EORI numbers to the correct entities in the shipment
- Flags inconsistencies before submission
This will reduce customs referrals caused by incorrect or incomplete party information.
Supported Document Types for ICS2 Workflows
ICS2 compliance requires data that is often scattered across multiple transport and shipment documents. Any automation solution must be able to handle the different formats used in global logistics. The most common document types include:
- Commercial Invoices: Contain itemized lists with quantities, values, HS codes, and descriptions. These are essential for accurate line-item extraction.
- Air Waybills (AWB): Provide details of consignor and consignee, transport routes, flight information, and cargo weight.
- Bills of Lading (BoL): Used in maritime freight, these documents include shipment identifiers, origin and destination ports, and carrier information.
- Packing Lists: Show item descriptions, quantities, and weights that support accurate ENS data.
- Dangerous Goods Declarations: Certify hazardous cargo and list detailed product identifiers to meet customs and transport regulations.
Handling these documents efficiently ensures that all ICS2 data points such as HS codes, EORI numbers, and routing details are ready for submission before cargo is loaded.
Why Automate Now
ICS2 safety and security declarations are already in effect for several transport modes, and the rollout continues to expand. Customs authorities expect all required data to be submitted correctly and on time, and they have the power to hold cargo or impose fines if these standards are not met.
Waiting to adapt your processes increases the risk of:
- Cargo being delayed at the border
- Penalties for late or inaccurate submissions
- Disrupted delivery schedules that affect customer satisfaction
- Increased operational costs from overtime or rework
Acting now ensures that your data workflows are ready before deadlines leave no room for error. Automation not only secures compliance but also improves efficiency. With faster processing and fewer manual tasks, your team can manage higher shipment volumes without increasing headcount. Early adoption also gives your business an advantage over competitors who struggle to keep pace with evolving customs requirements.
How Klippa Can Help You Stay ICS2-Compliant
Meeting ICS2 requirements consistently demands a combination of speed, accuracy, and dependable workflows. Klippa DocHorizon is designed to provide precisely that. By using advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Intelligent Document Processing (IDP), Klippa transforms unstructured logistics documents into structured, customs-ready data within seconds.
Key advantages of using Klippa DocHorizon for ICS2 compliance:
- High accuracy rates of up to 99 percent for extracted data
- Support for multiple document types including invoices, Air Waybills, Bills of Lading, and packing lists
- Flexible deployment options for cloud and on-premises environments
- Validation features that cross-check data to minimize errors and avoid customs holds
- Fast integration into your existing customs or logistics workflows
With Klippa, logistics providers can confidently meet ICS2 filing deadlines, reduce compliance risks, and keep cargo moving without the stress of manual data handling.
Want to know more about how Klippa can help your business? Schedule a call with one of our experts or book a free demo below!
FAQ
ICS2, or the Import Control System 2, is the European Union’s advanced customs security program. It requires logistics providers to submit detailed Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) before goods are loaded or arrive at EU borders. The goal is to improve supply chain security and ensure customs officials have accurate shipment information in advance.
2. Who needs to comply with ICS2?
All businesses involved in shipping goods into the EU, including freight forwarders, carriers, postal operators, and express couriers, must comply with ICS2 requirements.
3. What happens if I fail to meet ICS2 requirements?
Non-compliance can lead to cargo being held, delayed, or rejected at the border. It may also result in financial penalties and increased scrutiny for future shipments.
4. What data is required for an ENS filing under ICS2?
You will need to provide HS codes with at least six digits, clear product descriptions, gross and net weight, EORI numbers for all parties involved, full consignor and consignee details, and transport route information.
5. How can automation help with ICS2 compliance?
Automation solutions can extract, validate, and structure data from unstructured documents in seconds. This reduces human error, shortens processing time, and ensures accurate and timely submissions.
6. What types of documents can be automated for ICS2 compliance?
Commercial invoices, Air Waybills (AWB), Bills of Lading (BoL), packing lists, and Dangerous Goods Declarations can all be processed automatically to collect required ENS data.
7. Is Klippa suitable for high-volume shipment processing?
Yes. Klippa’s OCR and IDP technology is designed to handle large volumes of documents quickly and accurately, making it ideal for businesses with frequent or complex shipping needs.