Ukraine Switches to NCTS Phase 6: What Changes for Cargo Transit to the EU
On 22 June 2026 Ukraine switched to NCTS Phase 6 — the upgraded common transit system that handles goods moving under the EU “customs visa-free” regime. For exporters and importers shipping through the Odesa hub with onward transit into the EU, the practical question is simple: will you have to file more paperwork at the border? The answer depends on the country of entry.
What NCTS Phase 6 actually changes
The upgrade is about how customs administrations exchange data. Each member country now chooses its own format: keep the T1 transit declaration and the safety data in a single document, or require two separate filings — a T1 into the national NCTS and the safety data (ENS) into the EU’s Import Control System ICS2.
Ukraine opted for the single-document route, to avoid extra costs for business and queues at the border. Poland and Slovakia adopted the same approach, so Ukrainian carriers use one combined declaration for transit and safety control when entering the EU through those countries.
How to file — by country of entry
As of late June 2026 the picture looks like this:
- Poland and Slovakia — a single combined T1 declaration with safety data is enough. No separate ENS to ICS2 is needed.
- Romania (on Phase 6 since 25 May) — besides the T1, an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to ICS2 is mandatory.
- Hungary (since 18 January) — likewise requires a separate ENS to ICS2 on top of the T1.
The ENS goes into ICS2 in advance — roughly one hour before the vehicle reaches the crossing. Without it, Romanian or Hungarian customs will not clear the cargo.
Plan the route ahead. If transit runs through Romania or Hungary, the safety data is filed as a separate ENS — better built into the logistics on shore than sorted out in the queue at the border.
Why this matters for sea cargo
Most consignments moving through Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi do not end their journey at the port — from there they travel on by road or rail to the consignee in the EU. That leg is exactly where NCTS applies. A correctly filed T1 is the difference between a smooth border and idle time with demurrage.
For Dragon Maritime clients, almost nothing gets harder: we handle customs clearance and freight forwarding under the new rules, and our customs broker prepares the transit documents for the specific route and country of entry. For context: since Ukraine joined the Common Transit Convention in October 2022 more than 361,000 transit declarations have been processed, with a record 18,800 in May 2026 alone.
Need transit for cargo through Ukraine’s ports into the EU?
We prepare the T1 and the safety data for your route — no surprises at the border.
FAQ
What is NCTS Phase 6 in plain terms?
It is the upgraded version of the EU’s electronic common transit system. It changes how member-state customs exchange data and lets each country decide whether transit and safety data go in one document or two separate filings.
Is a separate ENS needed when entering via Poland?
No. Poland and Slovakia accept a single combined T1 declaration with safety data, so no separate ENS to ICS2 is required.
What about Romania and Hungary?
There, in addition to the T1, a separate Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to ICS2 is mandatory, roughly an hour before arrival at the border.
Does the change affect sea shipments through the Odesa hub?
The sea call itself — no. The change concerns the inland transit leg to the EU consignee. We handle container and other cargo with the country of entry in mind and prepare correct transit documents.
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