FAQs & Resources

You do not need to make an entry summary declaration for goods if you are:

• bringing or receiving them into Northern Ireland from an EU country
• moving qualifying Northern Ireland goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain
• importing goods to Great Britain from the EU (or other countries when this was not previously required)

Some goods also do not need a declaration, including those that are:

• electrical energy
• entering by pipeline
• letters, postcards and printed material, including those on electronic media
• in a traveller’s personal luggage
• declared to customs orally

You can find a more detailed list in Article 104 of the retained Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446.   Please also find more information here: Making an entry summary declaration – GOV.UK

✳ Safety & Security entry summary declarations (ENS declarations) are submitted into an IT platform called Safety and Security Great Britain (S&S GB)

✳You can enter this information yourself or you can use a customs agent/intermediary such as ChannelPorts (using our CustomsProENS system)

✳If you choose to submit the ENS declaration yourself, you will need to register to use the S&S GB platform

✳In order to register, you will need to have a Government Gateway ID and password

✳You will also need a GB EORI number

✳The S&S GB service does not have a user interface and therefore data will need to be lodged using compatible software.   We can help you here as CustomsPro ENS offers a fast, easy-to-use platform for submitting ENS declarations.

If you already submit safety and security declarations for imports from countries outside the EU (or already voluntarily submit them for EU imports), you don’t need to change your existing systems or procedures if you don’t want to.

However, you can benefit from the reduced dataset by only completing the mandatory and any relevant conditional fields from 31 January 2025.

More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-to-make-an-entry-summary-declaration-in-great-britain

Yes, you can delegate ENS submission to a customs broker or another party in your supply chain. However, the carrier remains legally responsible for ensuring the declaration is accurate and submitted on time.

Common mistakes include missing submission deadlines, incomplete or incorrect information, and failing to amend the ENS when necessary. Using an automated system like CustomsPro ENS can help avoid these issues.

Accuracy and completeness are critical for avoiding delays and penalties. Double-check all information before submission and use reliable software like CustomsPro ENS to minimize errors.

The ENS requirements apply to both accompanied and unaccompanied goods, but the responsibility for submission may differ (e.g., hauliers for accompanied vehicles, ferry operators for unaccompanied trailers).

The ENS requirements are specific to goods entering the UK. However, if you are transporting goods between other European countries and the UK, you will need to comply with both UK and EU customs regulations.

Costs vary depending on the provider and the level of service required. CustomsPro ENS offers a fixed fee solution with no hidden costs, making it a cost-effective option for hauliers.

CustomsPro ENS offers a fast, easy-to-use platform for submitting ENS declarations. It reduces the risk of errors, ensures timely submissions, and integrates seamlessly with existing customs processes.  Please contact us to find out more.

Resources such as the UK government’s official guidelines, customs brokers, and software solutions like CustomsPro ENS can provide detailed guidance and support to ensure compliance.

The UK’s Single Trade Window (STW) is designed to integrate all customs and trade-related submissions through a single interface. ENS declarations will be submitted through the STW, streamlining the process and reducing the need for multiple submissions.

Introduction of the UK’s STW has now been delayed.  Please see our news article about this.

While there are various platforms available, CustomsPro ENS is a recommended solution that simplifies the ENS submission process, ensuring fast, accurate, and compliant declarations.

Brexit has led to the introduction of the ENS requirement for goods entering the UK from the EU, which was not previously required when the UK was part of the single market. Hauliers now need to ensure compliance with these new customs procedures.

Yes, amendments can be made to an ENS declaration, but only by the person or entity that lodged the original ENS. Amendments can be made up until the goods arrive at the first point of entry, but frequent or last-minute changes may trigger additional risk assessments.

Submitted entry summary declarations can be amended but not cancelled. If the goods will no longer be shipped, it is not necessary to inform the service.

More information can be found on the UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safety-and-security-requirements-on-imports-and-exports#imports-into-great-britain-and-northern-ireland

Penalties for non-compliance can include financial fines, delays in processing and clearance, and in some cases, the goods may be denied entry into the UK or returned to the point of origin.

Missing the ENS submission deadline can result in delays at the border, fines, or even refusal of entry for the goods. It is essential to submit the ENS within the required timeframe to avoid these penalties.

Yes, the deadlines vary:

✈Air freight: Short-haul flights (less than 4 hours) – by the time of take-off; long-haul flights – at least 4 hours before arrival. SS-declarations-by-AIR (1)

🚢Sea freight: Container shipments – at least 24 hours before loading at port of departure; Bulk or break-bulk cargo – at least 4 hours before arrival. SS-declarations-by-SEA (1)

🚛Road freight: RoRo accompanied and unaccompanied freight – at least 2 hours before arrival of the ferry operator. SS-declarations-by-RO-RO (1)

🚊Rail freight: Short rail journey (less than 2 hours duration) – at least 1 hour before arrival of the train; Long rail journey (more than 2 hours duration) – at least 2 hours before arrival of the train. SS-declarations-by-RAIL (1)

🚇Eurotunnel: Road traffic (Channel Tunnel – Le Shuttle Freight) – at least 1 hour before arrival at the Eurotunnel terminal (at Coquelles, France). SS-declarations-by-EUROTUNNEL (1)

An ENS declaration must be submitted for every individual consignment entering the UK.   A container or trailer may be carrying 1, 2 or more different consignments – a declaration will be required for each of them. The timing of the submission depends on the mode of transport, with specific deadlines outlined above.

The ENS declaration must include details such as the consignor and consignee information, a description of the goods, the number of packages, transport details including the mode of transport and the journey route, and other specific data fields required by customs authorities.

✅There will be 20 mandatory fields that must be completed for all declarations.

✅There will be 8 conditional fields that only need to be completed in certain circumstances.

✅There will be 9 optional fields, to complete or leave blank.

See the fields here: Safety-and-Security-GB-Dataset

The legal requirement is that the entry summary declaration is complete and accurate.

The responsibility for submitting the ENS lies with the carrier, which is the operator of the transport method used to move the goods. For example, hauliers are responsible for driver-accompanied vehicles, while ferry operators are responsible for unaccompanied trailers.

It is the carrier’s responsibility to make sure that the declaration is submitted within the legal time limits, and it must only be done by a representative or third party with the carrier’s knowledge and consent.

If the responsibility for submitting the ENS declaration is passed to a third party, the legal liability to make sure that the declaration has been submitted still remains with the carrier.

However, the responsibility for ensuring that the information provided is accurate lies with whoever is submitting the entry summary declaration.

The ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) is a pre-arrival notification that provides customs authorities with advance information about goods being imported into the UK. It is required to assess security risks and ensure that goods comply with customs regulations before they enter the country.

Please complete our enquiry form and one of our team will be in touch; enquiry form.

✳Fast and Easy: Complete your ENS declaration in under 2 minutes using our web-based interface.

✳Drag & Drop: Simply provide us with your documents on our digital platform to get your ENS

✳Cost-Effective: Flat fee per consignment

✳No Hidden Fees: No sign-up fees, monthly subscriptions, or contracts

✳Expertise: As with all ChannelPorts services, our specialised experts and partners are ready to advise you on any subject to ease your customs journey

CustomsPro ENS is a stand-alone service that ensures compliance with the new ENS requirements while saving time and avoiding the stress of last-minute preparations. It also features many of the benefits of the standard CustomsPro product.

CustomsPro has been upgraded to include ENS compliance within the standard UK import product, in addition to the usual benefits and at no additional cost. CustomsPro offers a comprehensive solution:

✅Compatibility: Works at all UK RoRo ports.

✅Integrated Services: Includes Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) application as well as ENS compliance.

✅Cost-Effective: Flat fee per consignment, irrespective of the number of HS codes, including ENS documentation and compliance.

✅No Hidden Fees: No sign-up fees, monthly subscriptions, or contracts.

✅Expert Support: Benefit from specialised Brexit advice and support from our team with over 50 years of cross channel customs clearance experience.

Failing to submit the required ENS declaration accurately and on time could possibly lead to several serious consequences:

‼Fines: Financial penalties for non-compliance.

‼Delays: Goods may be stopped or delayed at the UK border, disrupting your supply chain.

‼Operational Inefficiency: Increased waiting times for freight vehicles, which can affect delivery schedules and operational costs.

The primary purpose of the ENS is to provide customs authorities with advance information about goods being imported. This helps in:

✔Risk Assessment: Identifying any potential threats or non-compliance issues before the goods arrive.

✔Efficiency: Streamlining the customs process and avoiding delays at the border.

✔Security: Enhancing the overall security of the supply chain by monitoring the movement of goods.

From 31st January 2025, the UK government will strictly enforce the requirement for an ENS declaration for all freight vehicles entering the UK. This includes:

▪Freight Details: Quantity, transport mode, type of goods, materials, etc.

▪Accuracy: The Entry Summary declaration must be complete and accurate.

▪Submission: Declarations must be submitted before arriving at the border. Missing or incorrect declarations could result in fines and potential delays.

ENS stands for Entry Summary Declaration. It’s a pre-arrival security and safety measure required by customs authorities to analyse potential risks associated with goods entering a country. This declaration is separate from other duty and tax obligations but is equally crucial for ensuring the smooth entry of goods. What is ENS and What is Happening on 31st January 2025?