By Maria Kalamatas
Brussels, BELGIUM —
Starting April 1, 2025, the European Union has mandated Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) for all road and rail cargo entering the bloc—a move designed to modernize customs enforcement but one that has left freight forwarders scrambling to comply.
The regulation, part of the EU Customs Reform Package, requires that every shipment entering the EU from a third country be electronically pre-declared via the ICS2 system at least two hours before arrival—regardless of cargo type or mode of transport.
“It’s a game-changer in terms of compliance burden,” said Martin Evers, Head of EU Customs Strategy at DHL Freight. “The air sector has been dealing with ICS2 for years, but for land freight, this is the first real shockwave.”
Balkan borders and Eastern corridors under pressure
The rule affects over 4 million truck and rail entries per month, with particularly intense impact at borders with Serbia, Ukraine, and Turkey—key corridors for automotive and textile supply chains.
“Delays at the Hungary–Serbia border have doubled in the past three weeks,” said Kristina Boros, Operations Director at CrossEast Logistics. “Clients are suddenly realizing that missing one data point—like consignee EORI—can hold a truck for 36 hours.”
Digital readiness varies wildly
While larger integrators like DB Schenker and UPS had ENS workflows in place, many smaller forwarders are still relying on manual systems or outdated customs brokers. The European Freight Association estimates that 40% of SMEs are not yet ENS-compliant.
“We’ve had to train 120 staff in 10 days,” said Boros. “The EU gave notice, yes—but the rollout still caught half the sector off guard.”
Fines, exemptions, and the way forward
Penalties for non-compliance can reach up to €10,000 per incident in certain jurisdictions, with no current exemptions for humanitarian or time-sensitive goods. Some EU lawmakers are pushing for a temporary grace period, especially for Ukraine border crossings.
Meanwhile, tech providers are rushing to offer compliance APIs and real-time declaration dashboards. “This is a pain point that could spark a new wave of logistics tech adoption,” said Olivier Marchand, founder of ClearFreight.ai.
More secure, but at what cost?
Proponents say ENS helps the EU screen for illicit shipments and potential threats before cargo enters, especially given heightened geopolitical tensions. But for many in the supply chain, the adjustment is steep.
“We’re not against security,” said Boros. “We just need systems that don’t paralyze the flow of trade.”
