ICS2 stands for Import Control System 2, which is a new customs security requirement for EU destinations.
Since 1 March 2023, EU customs agencies have begun rolling out additional security measures related to airmail from postal operators. Unlike before, these new measures now require electronic submission of data related to the sending of postal goods prior to despatch and are intended as a safety measure for all states involved. As well as this, the use of HS Codes for shipping commercial goods to the EU will be mandatory.
Harmonised System (HS) Codes are commonly used throughout the export process for goods. The Harmonized System is a standardised numerical method of classifying traded products. It is used by customs authorities around the world to identify products when assessing duties and taxes and for gathering statistics.
When sending goods and merchandise internationally, you are already required to complete electronic CN22/23 Customs labels. These labels must be completed accurately, and the completeness of the information is critical to minimise customs delays.
If you are shipping goods or merchandise to the EU, it is now mandatory to add a minimum 6-digit HS code to the label, an 8-digit for Germany and a 10-digit for Ireland for commercial items.
Electronic customs data will now be provided to EU customs authorities ahead of final despatch. This means if there is any incompleteness of data, Jersey Post may be informed and requested to provide additional information or screening of the item to EU customs agencies before the items are shipped. It is the responsibility of the Sender to provide complete and accurate information.
Should items not be flagged by EU customs, we do not anticipate any delays outside of normal operational processes. However, should EU customs agencies request more information prior to sending, this may cause some minor delays as any such requests need to be responded to prior to despatch. Jersey Post will endeavour to answer all such requests in a timely manner; however, we may need to contact the customer for additional information.
No. These additional measures and requirements are EU only and do not affect rest of world destinations.
The simplest and most convenient way to ensure you meet all the customs requirements when sending items off-island is to use Jersey Post’s online postage portal.
