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Import Control System Procedure | Freight-Academy™

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GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

Import Control System Procedure

Freight forwarders and importers moving goods into the EU must follow the Import Control System Procedure: a mandatory sequence of data submissions and deadlines that must be met before a shipment arrives at the EU border.

Quick Answer

Freight forwarders and importers moving goods into the EU must follow the Import Control System Procedure: a mandatory sequence of data submissions and deadlines that must be met before a shipment…

Pre-notification timelines differ by transport mode – maritime, air, and road each follow distinct schedules set out in customs legislation.

Once lodged, the entry summary declaration is assigned a unique movement reference number, allowing customs authorities to conduct risk assessment before the goods physically arrive.

Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/customs-procedures/imports/import-control-system-ics_en

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Import Control System Procedure

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Definition & Explanation

Freight forwarders and importers moving goods into the EU must follow the Import Control System Procedure: a mandatory sequence of data submissions and deadlines that must be met before a shipment arrives at the EU border. Pre-notification timelines differ by transport mode – maritime, air, and road each follow distinct schedules set out in customs legislation. Once lodged, the entry summary declaration is assigned a unique movement reference number, allowing customs authorities to conduct risk assessment before the goods physically arrive. The procedure forms the operational backbone of ICS2, the EU's phased advance cargo information system, and must not be confused with the formal customs import declaration submitted at the point of entry.

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Recommended format: Source: Freight Academy – Import Control System Procedure (https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/import-control-system-procedure), accessed 2026-09-16
APA style: Freight Academy Editorial Team. (2025). Import Control System Procedure. Freight Academy. https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/import-control-system-procedure
BibTeX: @misc{importcontrolsystem2025, title = {Import Control System Procedure}, author = {{Freight Academy Editorial Team}}, year = {2025}, url = {https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/import-control-system-procedure}, note = {Freight Academy, accessed 2026-09-16} }

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