ICS2 covers security data for goods entering the EU, while NCTS Phase 6 covers transit. In the UK, since 1 June 2026 a transit declaration cannot contain ENS data, so the ENS is filed separately: in S&S GB with HMRC (for the UK) or in ICS2 (for the EU).
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2026 brought another important milestone for transport and freight forwarding companies handling traffic between the EU and the United Kingdom. From an operational point of view, this is not about one "new piece of paperwork" - it's about needing to properly understand, in parallel, the obligations relating to security data and to transit.
The key change is the move to NCTS Phase 6. Implementation dates and variants were set by individual countries, so they differ between states — check your national customs administration's notices. In the UK the second implementation phase went live on 1 June 2026. At the same time, ICS2 remains a key element for security data in road and rail transport.
What NCTS Phase 6 means for transit
According to the European Commission's NCTS page, NCTS Phase 6 is now in use in the 27 EU Member States and the Common Transit Convention countries (41 countries in total). NCTS-P6 is aligned with ICS2: depending on each country's choice, ENS data is lodged together with the transit declaration (opt-in) or directly to ICS2 (opt-out). For carriers, freight forwarders and the parties lodging data, this above all means making sure that systems, partners and processes are ready for the correct data format and requirements.
UK rules from 1 June 2026
According to HMRC's specification (CTC Traders TIS — UK specific rules), since 1 June 2026 a transit declaration in the UK cannot contain ENS data: the Security field accepts only the values 0 (no safety and security data) and 2 (EXS data), while types 1 and 3 are rejected with error code 12. HMRC says the change is meant to avoid confusion in NCTS 6 opt-in countries. In practice the ENS for the UK is filed separately with HMRC in S&S GB, and on entry into the EU in ICS2. Details are in NCTS Phase 6 in the UK; the choice of ENS system is explained in S&S GB or ICS2.
Where ICS2 fits into this picture
ICS2 concerns the security and data protection layer before goods arrive in the EU. The European Commission has confirmed that for road and rail transport, Release 3 went live on 1 April 2025, and from 1 September 2025 ICS2 has been operational in all Member States for all means of transport, with temporary derogations for some countries.
In practice, this means that companies operating at the UK-EU interface should not treat ICS2 as a "one-off change from 2025", but as part of ongoing compliance for their transport processes.
What is worth checking now
- Whether the partners and systems used for transit are ready for the NCTS Phase 6 requirements — in the UK the software must allow only security types 0 and 2, with no ENS data.
- Whether the organisation knows which security data must be correctly handled under ICS2.
- Whether the team has split responsibility for transit (T1 from the UK to Poland), GMR, ENS and security data.
- Whether declaration templates and procedures still rely on assumptions from 2024 or early 2025 (for example an ENS inside a UK transit declaration).
The most common operational mistake
The most common problem is not a missing document, but confusing two layers of the process:
- transit / NCTS as the procedure for moving goods,
- ICS2 as the security and protection data obligation.
If a company does not separate these topics in practice, it is easy to end up with confused communication with the carrier, freight forwarder or customs agent.
Who this update matters most to
- carriers handling regular UK-EU traffic,
- freight forwarders coordinating documents and shipment timing,
- importers and exporters working with transit procedures,
- companies that want to reduce the risk of hold-ups and corrections just before a shipment moves.
What to prepare before contacting us
- a description of your transport model,
- information on whether you use transit and which system partner you use,
- a list of the most common problems in your documents or system messages,
- the dates of upcoming shipments that could be sensitive to the process change.
Summary
For UK-EU traffic, carrying on "as before" is no longer enough. ICS2 and the move to NCTS Phase 6 need to be treated as a real operational matter that affects data, responsibilities and the risk of hold-ups. If you want to check your organisation's readiness before your next shipments, get in touch with us.
Official sources
- European Commission: New Computerised Transit System (NCTS)
- European Commission: ICS2 extends to rail and road from 1 April 2025
- European Commission: Import Control System 2 (ICS2)
- PUESC: News
- HMRC: CTC Traders TIS — UK specific rules
Frequently asked questions
Can ENS data be included in a UK transit declaration?
No. Since 1 June 2026 a UK transit declaration with security type 1 or 3 is rejected by the system. The ENS is filed separately: with HMRC in S&S GB (for the UK) or in ICS2 (for the EU).
What is the difference between ICS2 and NCTS?
NCTS handles the transit procedure (for example T1), while ICS2 handles security data for goods brought into the EU customs territory. They are two separate layers of the process and must be handled separately.
Since when does ICS2 cover road transport?
According to the European Commission, Release 3 for road and rail went live on 1 April 2025, and since 1 September 2025 ICS2 has been operational in all Member States for all modes of transport, with temporary derogations for some.
How many countries use NCTS Phase 6?
According to the European Commission, NCTS Phase 6 is in use in the 27 EU Member States and the Common Transit Convention countries — 41 countries in total. The implementation variants (opt-in or opt-out for ENS data) differ between states.
Where do I check deadlines and changes?
In Poland in PUESC notices and on the European Commission pages on NCTS and ICS2. In the UK in HMRC's CTC Traders TIS and the HMRC transit newsletters.
Related guides
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