Register to use the Import Control System 2

Use this system if you're moving goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain, or into Northern Ireland from outside the EU, and need to make an entry summary declaration.

Last updated: 26 January 2026

Who should register

You’ll need to use Import Control System 2 (ICS2) to make an entry summary declarations, which is a type of safety and security declaration from:

Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland
countries outside the EU into Northern Ireland
Great Britain to the EU if you have an XI EORI

You must use ICS2 for all goods movements into Northern Ireland.

If you’re currently registered to use the Trader Support Service to move goods into Northern Ireland, you do not need to register to use ICS2. You can continue to use the Trader Support Service to submit entry summary declarations.

You’ll need to register with HMRC to use ICS2 if your EORI number starts with XI.

If your EORI number does not start with XI, use the National Service Desk contact details on the CIRCABC website of the EU country (national customs authority), where your EORI number is registered to find out more information about how to register for this service.

In the UK, this system is only for goods entering Northern Ireland. For goods into Great Britain, use the safety and security GB service.

Safety and security declarations are only needed for some parcel movements from Great Britain into Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. Find out more about sending parcels between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

If you use a third-party software to submit your entry summary declarations, you may need to speak to your software provider about ICS2 compatible software. If you are going to build your own connection or utilise the trader interface to submit to ICS2 you’ll need to register with HMRC if your EORI number starts with XI.

What you’ll need to register

You’ll need your:

EORI number
business contact details
plan for testing
plan for moving into ICS2 operations

As part of the setup process, you’ll need to complete the EU’s mandatory self-conformance testing before you can start operating.

Access ICS2 test documents.

How to register

You’ll need to access the EU Shared Trader Interface (also known as the EU Customs Trader Portal). To do this, email admin.uum@hmrc.gov.uk and tell us:

your name
your email address
the address of your business
your EORI number starting XI

After you’ve registered

Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to follow these steps:

To start a test campaign, you must first email ics.helpdesk@hmrc.gov.uk and give us your EORI number, plan for testing and plan for moving into ICS2 operations.
To apply for the relevant user roles to submit on the system and for testing, email admin.uum@hmrc.gov.uk. You’ll need to tell us you want ICS2 Conformance and Prod roles. You’ll also need to give us the names, email, and address of business.

Presentation of Goods notifications

You’ll need to submit a Presentation of Goods notification when goods arrive in Northern Ireland.

You need to do this through an API. Use the Import Control System Presentation of Goods Service Guide to find out how to access APIs.

The Presentation of Goods step will be completed on your behalf if you are moving goods via the Goods Vehicle Movement Service, and include your ICS2 Entry summary declaration Movement Reference Numbers within your Goods Movement Reference.