🚛 What You Need to Know: ENS and ELO Requirements from September 2025

1. What Is ENS under ICS2—and Why It Matters to Hauliers

• From 1 April 2025, all Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) for road and rail freight entering the EU must be declared via the ICS2 system  .

• Hauliers are legally responsible for submitting these ENS filings—even if transport is subcontracted. Requirements include having an EU EORI number, providing route/transit details, trailer registration, and arrival/departure estimates  .

• You must submit the ENS at least two hours before reaching the relevant EU border point. Late or incorrect submissions can result in warnings, fines, or even boarding refusal  .

Bottom line: Hauliers must ensure their IT systems, processes, and personnel are ready for ICS2 ENS submissions by April 2025—with full compliance expected before the further requirements kick in later.

2. What Is the ELO—and Why It Becomes Mandatory 1 September 2025

• ELO (Enveloppe Logistique Obligatoire) is a digital “logistics envelope” mandated by French Customs. It consolidates all necessary customs references—such as ENS, transit/import/export MRNs, CITES/trade licences, TRACES SPS certificates, and more—into a single barcode-linked digital file  .

• Although available on a voluntary basis from 1 April 2025, ELO becomes mandatory from 00:00 on 1 September 2025 for all Ro-Ro movements between Great Britain and France—including full and empty vehicles  .

• No valid ELO = no boarding. Without it, trailers will be diverted to manual checks and may be refused on busy sailings  .

3. Haulier Responsibilities: What You Must Do

• Designate an ELO creator

Assign someone in your company or a trusted freight forwarder/customs agent to create the ELO. This person must access the French customs portal douane.gouv.fr and gather all required information such as MRNs, ENS/GMR references, vehicle and driver data.

• Register on douane.gouv.fr

The person responsible for creating the ELO must have a Prodouane account in order to submit and manage logistics envelopes.

• Ensure ENS compliance

You must submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) through the ICS2 system for all road freight entering the EU. This needs to be done at least 2 hours before the vehicle arrives at the EU border and must include route details, trailer registration, and estimated arrival times.

• Group documentation per vehicle

Each ELO is specific to a vehicle. Make sure all documentation (import/export/transit MRNs, ENS, licenses, etc.) for that vehicle is included within one logistics envelope.

• Train staff and integrate ELO into your workflow

Make sure drivers know they need to present the ELO barcode (either printed or on their phone) at check-in. ELOs can be created up to 30 days in advance and updated at any time before the crossing.

4. How the Process Looks in Practice

1. Haulier or agent submits UK export declarations, transit (T1) and ICS2 ENS via ICS2.

2. The same or another designated party lodges French import/Delta G, sanitary, permits, etc.

3. Information is combined in the ELO portal or via API/EDI: vehicle, driver, MRNs, ENS, permits.

4. An ELO barcode and reference (QR/1D code) is generated and shared with the driver.

5. At check‑in, the driver presents the ELO barcode (and GMR).

6. Pre-risk analysis occurs onboard. On arrival, vehicles are directed to green (clear) or orange (inspection) lane based on data provided  .

5. Key Deadlines & Risks

• April 1, 2025: ENS via ICS2 becomes mandatory for all road/rail imports into the EU  .

• April–August 2025: Voluntary ELO period—time to register, test and train.

• September 1, 2025: ELO becomes compulsory. No ELO = no boarding and potential delays/fines.

Failing to comply can result in:

• Refusal to board, extra manual checks,

• Delays causing missed crossings,

• Fines or carrier liability exposure.

✅ Action Checklist for Hauliers (NTS Express and partners)

• Confirm your ENS‑capable ICS2 system is live and tested.

• Assign and train your designated ELO creator.

• Register for a Prodouane account (douane.gouv.fr).

• Update workflows: include ELO generation in port planning.

• Train drivers to present the ELO barcode at check‑in.

• Start creating ELOs during the voluntary window well ahead of 1 September 2025.

Final Thoughts

From 1 September 2025, crossing the UK–France smart border without a valid ENS—and especially without a valid ELO barcode—is not an option for Ro‑Ro hauliers. With the combination of ICS2 (ENS) and ELO consolidations, compliance isn’t just bureaucracy—it’s your digital port pass.

Hauliers who prepare now—by ensuring ICS2 readiness, registering on douane.gouv.fr, and integrating ELO into their operational workflow—are most likely to avoid disruptions, delays, and additional costs.

Important link for official guidance:

📎 Visit the official ELO portal and documentation here: douane.gouv.fr – ELO (Enveloppe Logistique Obligatoire)