Enhancing trade security: Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) and Exit Summary Declarations (EXS)

By Joe Goldsworthy, Customs Agent

An ENS stands for “Entry Summary Declaration” and is used to perform safety and security checks on all freight entering a port.  It is a pre-requisite that all freight movements, whether truck, trailer or container, entering France have a valid ENS, and has been since 2021.

It is important to remember that an ENS is only valid for freight, so if you travel on a “Passenger” ticket rather than a “Freight” ticket, you most likely would not get asked for an ENS.

Full import declarations already hold relevant information negating the need for an ENS, however Carnets (and transits / simplified import declarations) do not have the relevant security information, hence the need for extra documentation.

Despite being a rule since 2021, we are only recently seeing more queries on this matter. This is because France rolled out a new version of the import control system (ICS2) a month or so ago, and as a result, more freight is being checked to make sure they have the correct documentation.

If the freight is accompanied, the freight forwarder or haulier is the person responsible for getting hold of an ENS. If the freight is unaccompanied, the ferry line would be responsible. They would need access either to the French ICS2 (also known as Delta G) or software which can lodge this type of declaration on your behalf. ChamberCustoms do not currently have the capability to lodge these types of declarations on behalf of a customer.

An EXS Form stands for “Exit Summary Declaration”, and performs the same functions as the ENS, but at an export level. The above information also applies here, so if you are travelling through France without a full export declaration, and travelling via the freight channel, you may well be asked to produce an EXS form, although recently we have not had as many queries regarding EXS. This is already a rule at all French ports and it is important that if you or your haulier are travelling through a French port you remain compliant.

Fines for first-time offenders without the relevant ENS/EXS forms range between €300-3000, anyone caught re-offending can expect a five-figure fine or could potentially be outright banned from using the port again.

It is not currently a requirement for EU consignments arriving into the UK to have valid ENS/EXS declarations. Unfortunately, these easements end for EU consignments at the end of 2023, when the next stage of the Border Target Operating Model (TOM) is introduced in 2024. This means that from next year all ATA Carnet customers will also need to have accompanying ENS/EXS declarations.

The most recent amendment states that a valid ENS/EXS will be needed for all UK consignments from 31st October 2024, so it is best to prepare ahead of the changes coming into effect next year.