Businesses in Omagh and across the Fermanagh and Omagh district moving goods—whether by parcels or freight—between Great Britain and Northern Ireland should prepare for important changes coming this autumn.
From 1 September 2025, new arrangements will apply for Entry Summary (ENS) Declarations under the Import Control System 2 (ICS2). This upgraded system will replace the current Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICS NI) and is designed to improve safety and security checks for goods arriving into Northern Ireland and the wider EU.
ICS2 will support:
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Lodging of pre-arrival ENS declarations
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Notification of goods arrival
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Presentation of goods
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Assessment of safety and security risks
You’ll be required to use ICS2 for goods moved by air, maritime, road, or rail from:
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Great Britain to Northern Ireland
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Countries outside the EU into Northern Ireland
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Great Britain to the EU
Under the Windsor Framework, ENS declarations will only be required for business-to-business (B2B) parcel shipments from GB to NI. Parcels sent to consumers remain exempt.
While much of the required data remains the same, ICS2 introduces some new requirements. Declarations must be complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
What You Need to Provide to Your Haulier
If a haulier or logistics provider is moving goods on your behalf, you’ll need to supply them with the right data in advance to prevent delays. This includes:
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A clear description of goods
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A 6-digit commodity code
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Total weight or volume of goods
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Buyer and seller details
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Delivery location
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Any supporting documents (e.g. licences, certificates)
Talk to your haulier or freight provider now to make sure they have what they need when they need it.
Support for Local Traders
Omagh businesses can get help preparing for the new requirements through the Trader Support Service, which offers free guidance and training on movements under the Windsor Framework.
For parcel shipments, reach out directly to your parcel carrier or fast parcel operator.
If you have specific questions about ICS2 in Northern Ireland, you can contact the NI Stakeholder Engagement Team.
