# Entry Summary Declaration

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Freight forwarders, carriers, and customs representatives file the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) electronically before goods from third countries enter EU customs territory.

Freight forwarders, carriers, and customs representatives file the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) electronically before goods from third countries enter EU customs territory. It captures minimum data on the shipment, consignor, consignee, and commodity type, giving customs authorities the information needed to perform risk analysis and decide on release or enhanced examination before physical arrival. Filing deadlines depend on mode of transport: for deep-sea containerised cargo, submission is generally required 24 hours before loading at the port of departure; shorter timeframes apply to short-sea and other modes. The ENS is not the same as the customs declaration for release into free circulation, which is lodged at import and demands far more detailed commercial and tariff information. In the EU, ENS data is processed within the Import Control System ICS2.

**Source:** [https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/import-control-system-2-ics2_en](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/import-control-system-2-ics2_en)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Entry Summary Declaration |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 128 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/import-control-system-2-ics2_en |

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