Carriers heading from Ukraine to European Union countries via Romania faced a new requirement in 2026. In addition to the usual T1 transit declaration, an ENS security declaration must now also be submitted. The question of what an ens declaration is has become relevant precisely because, without it, a vehicle will no longer receive entry clearance into the EU customs territory, and T1 cannot be issued without a prior ENS.
Daleth Group handles the processing of T1 transit declarations under the NCTS comprehensive guarantee for shipments from Ukraine to European countries and advises clients on the new EU entry security requirements.
What a T1 Transit Declaration Is and How It Works
T1 is a transit declaration that allows goods to move across the EU customs territory without paying duties and taxes in each country the cargo crosses, until it reaches the customs office of destination. The document is issued under a financial guarantee that covers possible customs payments in case the transit procedure is violated. For carriers travelling from Ukraine deeper into Europe via Romania, T1 remains the main tool for the unimpeded movement of cargo across several EU countries.
The Role of the NCTS System in Transit Processing
NCTS is the electronic transit control system through which the T1 declaration is submitted and tracked. The system records every stage of cargo movement: opening transit at the border, passing through intermediate customs offices, and completing the procedure at the customs office of destination. Once the declaration is submitted, the system assigns a unique MRN number that accompanies the cargo throughout the entire route.
What Changed for Romania in 2026
Since 2026, cargo entering the EU customs territory through Romania has also been subject to the requirement to submit an ENS security declaration in advance through the ICS2 system. This applies specifically to the moment of crossing the Union’s external border: before a vehicle receives entry clearance and can open a T1 transit, the carrier must submit the ENS and receive confirmation that the cargo has been accepted for risk analysis.
What the ENS Declaration and the ICS2 System Are
The ens declaration is an entry security declaration submitted to the ics2 system (Import Control System 2) before the cargo arrives at the EU customs territory. It contains data on the sender, the consignee, the route, the means of transport, and the nature of the cargo. The purpose of the declaration is a preliminary risk analysis from a border security perspective, not a check on the payment of customs duties. The legal basis for this requirement is set out in the Union Customs Code, Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, and the European Commission’s implementing decisions on the rollout of ICS2.
Why ENS Is Needed in Addition to T1
T1 governs the customs status of goods during transit across the EU, while ENS is responsible for the security check before the cargo actually arrives at the Union’s external border. The two documents are submitted sequentially and serve different functions. The question of how t1 differs from ens comes down precisely to the difference between customs clearance of transit and a preliminary security check on entry.
| Parameter | ENS | T1 |
| Purpose | Security check on entry into the EU | Customs transit across the EU |
| Filing system | ICS2 | NCTS |
| When filed | Before arrival at the EU’s external border | After passing entry control |
| Who files | Carrier | Carrier or customs broker |
Who Files ENS and When, When Entering Romania
The ENS is filed by the carrier or an authorised representative who holds the cargo data, in advance, within the established deadline before arrival at the border. For road transport, this deadline is at least one hour before the vehicle arrives at the first EU customs office of entry. Late or incorrect submission of the ENS results in the vehicle being held at the border until the risk analysis is completed, and in certain cases, in liability measures under the legislation of the EU member state.
Step-by-Step Procedure for Filing ENS and T1 Together
For cargo travelling from Ukraine through Romania in transit further into the EU, the sequence of actions is as follows:
- the carrier submits the ENS in the ICS2 system, specifying data on the cargo, the route, and the means of transport;
- once the ENS is accepted and entry control in Romania is passed, a T1 transit declaration is opened in the NCTS system;
- the T1 declaration is linked to the ENS MRN number to keep data consistent between the two systems;
- Romanian customs authorities cross-check the details of both declarations when the border is crossed;
- once transit is complete, T1 is closed at the customs office of destination in another EU country.
The question of what is needed to process t1 together with the security declaration comes down precisely to clearly aligning the data between ENS and T1 already at the route-planning stage, since both documents refer to the same information about the cargo and the vehicle.
“Companies moving cargo from Ukraine through Romania often forget about the new obligation to file an ENS and end up facing delays at the border. We recommend preparing the ENS and T1 at the same time, already at the route-planning stage,” comments Maryna Ponomarenko, representative of Daleth Group.
It is important that the information in both declarations is consistent. Discrepancies in the details of the sender, the consignee, the goods description, or the means of transport become grounds for an additional check by Romanian customs authorities and lead to delays in transit clearance.
Deadlines, Guarantees, and Possible Penalties
A late ENS submission results in the vehicle being denied entry until the risk analysis is complete, along with possible penalties from Romanian customs authorities. The financial guarantee under which T1 is opened covers customs risks during transit, but does not in any way exempt the carrier from the obligation to submit a security declaration before entry. Meeting the deadlines for both documents directly affects the speed of crossing the border.
Common Mistakes When Processing T1 and ENS
The most common mistake is filing the ENS late due to insufficient route planning. The second common mistake is a discrepancy in cargo or consignee data between the ENS and the T1. The third is the absence of a current ENS MRN number when opening the transit declaration, which complicates the cross-checking of documents by customs at the border. If the shipment is arranged with the involvement of a customs broker, it is worth clearly defining in advance who is responsible for filing each document, to avoid duplication or missed deadlines.
Conclusion
Transporting cargo from Ukraine through Romania further into the European Union in 2026 requires the coordinated submission of two documents: the ENS security declaration on entry into the EU and the T1 transit declaration for further movement across the Union. Clear route planning and timely preparation of both declarations help avoid delays at the border. Daleth Group arranges freight transport between Romania and Ukraine, as well as T1 processing and groupage cargo shipments with full customs support.
FAQ
What is a T1 declaration and why is it needed?
T1 is a transit declaration that allows goods to move across the EU customs territory without paying duties and taxes in each transit country until they reach the customs office of destination.
What is an ENS declaration and who files it?
ENS is an entry security declaration for the EU, filed by the carrier in advance through the ICS2 system before the cargo arrives at the Union’s external border.
Why is ENS also required when entering through Romania in 2026?
Romania, like the rest of the EU, applies ICS2 requirements for the preliminary security screening of cargo, so ENS has become mandatory in addition to the T1 transit declaration.
How does T1 differ from ENS?
T1 governs the customs status of goods during transit across the EU, while ENS is responsible for the preliminary security check of the cargo before it arrives at the Union’s external border.
Who is responsible for filing ENS when entering Romania?
Responsibility for filing the ENS lies with the carrier or its authorised representative, usually a customs broker, who supports the shipment from route planning through to the completion of transit.