GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Import Control System
When a shipment is in transit to a country, the Import Control System (ICS) comes into play: a government-operated IT platform that manages inbound cargo from the entry summary declaration through to customs release.
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Source: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/union-customs-code/import-control-system-ics_en
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Definition & Explanation
When a shipment is in transit to a country, the Import Control System (ICS) comes into play: a government-operated IT platform that manages inbound cargo from the entry summary declaration through to customs release. It automatically screens submitted data against tariff schedules, embargo lists, and rules of origin, flagging suspicious consignments for manual inspection. Freight forwarders and importers interact with the system via standardised electronic messages—in the EU, through the ICS2 platform. Unlike an export control system, which monitors outbound goods, an import control system focuses exclusively on incoming cargo and its compliance with the destination country's import regulations.
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