Transporting cargo by road into the European Union via Romania requires compliance with the new ICS2 security system requirements. Carriers are increasingly asking what ENS is and how this document affects border crossing. In this article, we explain what ICS2 is, what the declaration filing deadlines are, and what data is needed to complete it. Understanding these requirements helps avoid cargo delays at the border and penalties.
What Is ENS and the ICS2 System
ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) is a pre-arrival security declaration filed with EU customs authorities before a shipment arrives in the territory of the Union. The document is part of the ICS2 (Import Control System 2) system, introduced to strengthen security controls on goods imported into the European Union. The ICS2 system involves the exchange of cargo data between the carrier, the customs office of first entry, and other involved authorities before the physical arrival of the transport. The main purpose of ENS is to assess the shipment’s security risks before it crosses the EU’s external border.
The legal basis for ICS2 is the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013), Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446, and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447, which establish the procedure for filing security declarations before goods arrive in the customs territory of the European Union.
Why ENS Was Introduced for Entry into the EU via Romania
Romania is one of the key transit corridors for cargo from Ukraine to EU countries, so ICS2 requirements are applied especially strictly here. Filing an ENS allows customs authorities to assess potential security risks in advance and select shipments for additional inspection. This reduces the burden on border crossing points and speeds up passage for trusted carriers. ENS via Romania is filed according to the same principles as in other EU countries, though it’s worth considering the specifics of individual border crossing points.
Who Is Required to File ENS
Responsibility for filing ENS primarily rests with the carrier that physically transports the cargo across the EU border. In certain cases, this function may be performed by a freight forwarder or another authorized party by agreement between the parties. Romania’s customs rules for carriers require that the data in the declaration accurately match the actual cargo and vehicle. Even if the ENS is filed by a customs representative or freight forwarder, responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information required for risk analysis remains with the party defined by EU customs law as responsible for filing the declaration.
ENS Filing Deadlines: How Many Hours Before Arrival
ENS filing deadlines depend on the mode of transport and the route distance to the European Union border. For road transport, the declaration must be filed at least one hour before the vehicle arrives at the customs crossing point. ENS filing deadlines may differ for sea and air transport, where longer time frames apply. It’s therefore recommended to prepare the declaration data in advance, as early as the vehicle loading stage.
- road transport – no later than 1 hour before arrival;
- maritime container transport – no later than 24 hours before loading;
- air transport – depending on flight duration, from 4 hours.
What Data Is Required to Complete ENS
Filing an ENS requires providing complete information about the consignor, consignee, and actual carrier of the shipment. Data on the vehicle, the route, and the expected time of arrival at the EU border are mandatory. The declaration must include a description of the goods, their commodity code, weight, and the number of cargo units. The accuracy of the data entered directly affects how quickly the declaration is processed by Romanian customs authorities.
| ENS Field | Description |
| Consignor | Name and address of the sending company |
| Consignee | Name and address of the receiving company |
| Carrier | Details of the company performing the transport |
| Vehicle | Registration number, type of transport |
| Description of goods | Commodity code, weight, number of units |
| Point of entry | The customs office of first entry into the EU |
How ENS Is Filed: Channels, Format, MRN
ENS is filed electronically through the ICS2 system, which the carrier accesses after registration. Once the declaration is successfully processed, the system assigns a unique MRN number confirming that the document has been filed. This number accompanies the shipment along the entire route and is presented at the customs crossing point. Companies that regularly transport goods to the EU usually automate this process to save time.
The Relationship Between ENS and the T1 Transit Declaration
ENS and the T1 transit declaration serve different functions, but both documents may be required for the same shipment. ENS is responsible for assessing the security of goods before entry into the EU, while T1 governs the movement of goods within the Union’s territory without paying duty. Although ENS and T1 are separate customs procedures, the information about the goods, carrier, route, and vehicle must be consistent. Any significant discrepancies can be grounds for additional customs control or clearance delays. Daleth Group supports clients at every stage of the process, including preparing ENS and transit declarations.
Daleth Group specialists note that the most frequent delays at the Romanian border are related not to the absence of ENS, but to discrepancies between the declaration data and the actual cargo. A thorough check of the information before filing significantly reduces border crossing time.
Consequences of Late or Incorrect ENS Filing
Failure to file or late filing of ENS can lead to customs authorities applying control measures, delaying the vehicle, conducting an additional cargo inspection, and in some cases, refusing entry clearance for the goods until customs formalities are completed. Romanian customs authorities have the right to detain a shipment for additional control if discrepancies are found in the declaration data. This leads to transport downtime, additional storage costs, and possible disruption of agreed delivery deadlines. Declaration preparation should therefore be entrusted to experienced customs clearance specialists.
Common Mistakes When Filing ENS
- cargo data not matching the actual loading;
- filing the declaration in violation of the established deadlines;
- an incorrectly specified commodity code;
- missing or incorrect vehicle data;
- inconsistency between ENS and the T1 transit declaration.
Conclusion
Filing ENS in the ICS2 system has become a mandatory condition for the smooth crossing of the European Union border via Romania. Meeting deadlines, ensuring data accuracy, and maintaining consistency with other customs documents help avoid delays and additional costs. To organize transportation in full compliance with all requirements, use the international freight transportation service, and for routes via Romania, take a separate look at the terms of freight transportation between Romania and Ukraine. If your shipment is made up of several batches, consider the groupage cargo service, which optimizes transportation costs.
FAQ
What is ENS in the ICS2 system?
ENS is a pre-arrival security declaration filed with EU customs authorities before a shipment arrives, and ICS2 is the system that processes this data to assess security risks.
Who files ENS when entering via Romania?
The main responsibility for filing ENS lies with the carrier, although this function may be performed by a freight forwarder or authorized person by agreement.
How many hours before arrival is ENS filed?
For road transport, the declaration is filed no later than one hour before arrival at the customs crossing point; for other modes of transport, the deadlines are longer.
What data is needed to complete ENS?
Data on the consignor, consignee, carrier, vehicle, route, description of goods, and the point of first entry into EU territory are required.
What happens if ENS is not filed on time?
The vehicle may be denied entry or the shipment may be delayed for additional inspection, resulting in downtime and possible penalties.