April 1, 2025 – “Stricter Customs regulations” from the EU’s ICS2 will see “stricter enforcement,” Hapag-Lloyd has warned, and European forwarders “have encountered significant challenges.” From today, April 1, the EU is ramping up its Import Control System 2 (ICS2) – an advance cargo information system designed to improve supply chain security – on requirements for all non-EU imports. It will become mandatory for all house-level filers (freight forwarders, importers, ground handling agents, etc.) to connect to ICS2 and submit entry summary declarations (ENS), filings for shipments they handle. The pre-arrival Customs process will also now apply to all transport modes, including road and rail, in addition to the existing air, maritime and inland waterway requirements.