ICS2 declarations, when, how long?
This article covers the submission process, expected response times, and how to troubleshoot common submission issues.
When to submit
Depending on the type of transport or shipping service you have used, there are different time limits for submitting your declaration.
|
Roll on roll off (RoRo) — accompanied freight |
at least 2 hours before arrival of the ferry operator |
|
RoRo — unaccompanied freight |
at least 2 hours before arrival of the ferry operator |
|
Euro shuttle Services |
at least 2 hours before arrival of the ferry operator |
Submission Response Times
- After submitting an ENS declaration, it may take up to 20 minutes, to receive a response. During this time, the status will appear as In Progress.
- Patience is key—avoid re-submitting declarations unless the status remains unchanged after a significant period.
- We recommend you submit your declaration as early as possible to avoid the time limit, response times may take longer during peak periods.
HMRC Service Availability
- To ensure smooth submission, you can check the HMRC service availability for S&S (Safety & Security) **HERE** for any ongoing disruptions or planned maintenance.
Safety and Security GB (S&S GB) service — service availability and issues - GOV.UK
- If there are issues with the HMRC system, you may need to retry submissions later when services are operational.
Troubleshooting Submission Issues
- Status Stuck in Progress:
- If the declaration status remains In Progress for over 30 minutes:
- Confirm there are no system outages via the HMRC service availability page.
- Refresh your page to ensure the status hasn't updated.
- If the declaration status remains In Progress for over 30 minutes:
- Unable to Submit Without Validation Errors:
- If your ENS declaration does not contain validation errors but still cannot be submitted:
- Review your internet connection to rule out connectivity issues.
- Check if all mandatory fields have been completed, even if no errors are flagged.
- Ensure there are no ongoing HMRC service outages.
- If your ENS declaration does not contain validation errors but still cannot be submitted:
- General Recommendations:
- Avoid creating duplicate submissions for the same shipment.
By following these steps and understanding the submission process, you can ensure your ENS declarations are handled efficiently and avoid common issues.
- If you are still experiencing issues when submitting your ENS declaration, please contact the ENS support team at ENSsupport@eori.uk, include your shipment reference number and contact details.