PN, PD and ENS: what these documents are, who needs them and how not to get stuck at the border

Q: Is it mandatory to hire a broker or can you do everything yourself?

Technically you can do it yourself. Large companies set up direct integration with customs systems (Ukrainian and European ICS2). But it is expensive: specialized software and qualified specialists are needed. Therefore, most market participants work through brokers — it is cheaper, faster and more reliable than maintaining their own staff.

Imagine: a truck with goods is traveling from Poland to Kyiv or from Lviv to Berlin. Customs doesn't want to hold up the vehicle for several hours right at the checkpoint to figure out what's inside. Therefore, both the Ukrainian and European sides require that information about the cargo be submitted in advance — electronically, before the truck physically approaches the barrier.

For import from Europe to Ukraine, this is PN or PD. For export from Ukraine to the EU — ENS. Three different documents, three different situations. Let's break down each one.

Import from Europe to Ukraine: PN or PD?

What is PN (preliminary notification)

PN is a preliminary notification. Roughly speaking, you simply inform Ukrainian customs: "Such and such vehicle is coming, with such and such cargo, to such and such domestic customs office."

This is not a full-fledged declaration — it's more of an "announcement." No financial guarantees are required in this case. Customs simply records the information and lets the vehicle through so that it can complete full clearance on site.

When PN is used:

ordinary goods without excise duties: clothing, furniture, equipment, raw materials;
goods that do not fall into "risk" categories according to the CN classifier;
the cargo is heading to a domestic customs terminal (not being cleared right at the border).

What is PD (preliminary declaration)

PD is already a full-fledged preliminary customs declaration. It is needed when the state wants to make sure: while the cargo is traveling from the border to the domestic terminal, the taxes on it will definitely be paid. For this, the importer is obliged to provide a financial guarantee — deposit money into a customs account or arrange a bank/independent guarantee.

When PD is specifically needed:

excise goods: alcohol, tobacco, fuel, cars;
expensive equipment and electronics;
goods from "risk" categories at the discretion of customs;
any cargo for which customs requires financial security before final clearance.

Who arranges PN and PD

Legally, this is the obligation of the Ukrainian importer. But in practice, an accredited customs broker almost always handles the paperwork — they work through specialized software (e.g. MD Office) and submit documents electronically to the Unified Automated Information System of the Customs of Ukraine (UAIS).

After submission, the broker gives the carrier the digital declaration number (PN/PD number) — the driver presents it at the checkpoint.

Export from Ukraine to the EU: what is ENS

ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) — safety and security declaration

ENS is an electronic document that is submitted to the customs system of the first country of entry into the EU (e.g., Poland, Slovakia, Romania or Hungary). This is done through the European system ICS2 (Import Control System 2).

The main thing to understand: ENS is not a declaration for calculating duties. Its purpose is security risk analysis. European customs officers check whether there is any contraband, prohibited or dangerous substances in the cargo. And they want to know this before the vehicle enters the EU territory.

How far in advance ENS must be submitted

For road transport — at least 1 hour before arrival at the EU border checkpoint. This is a strict requirement, not a recommendation. If submitted 10–15 minutes before the border — the vehicle will have to wait in the holding area until the system processes the risks and the mandatory hour expires.

Who must submit ENS

Under EU legislation, the responsibility lies with the carrier. But carriers themselves often delegate this task to customs brokers — European or Ukrainian. For this, the broker is provided with:

the international waybill (CMR);
the invoice (Invoice);
data on the vehicle and driver.

After registering ENS, the system issues an international MRN number with a barcode — the driver presents it at the checkpoint instead of paper documents.

Is an EORI number required to submit ENS?

Yes, and this is a common problem for Ukrainian carriers and freight forwarders who are working with the European market for the first time. To submit ENS to the ICS2 system, an EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) is required — this is the European identifier of a foreign economic activity participant. Without it, it is physically impossible to submit the declaration to the European system.

EORI can be obtained from the customs authorities of any EU country. The procedure is one-time, the number is used permanently. Read more on the page: EORI for export and import.

How PN / PD / ENS work in practice

Here is a realistic scheme of how preparation for crossing the border should look:

2–3 days before dispatch. Collect the full package of commercial documents: invoice (Invoice), packing list (Packing List), international waybill (CMR) and export declaration (EX-1 or transit document for Europe). Hand them over to the broker.

1 day before arrival at the border (import to Ukraine). The broker determines by the CN code what is needed — PN or PD. If PD — financial security is provided. The carrier receives the PN/PD number to pass to the driver.

At least 1 hour before approaching the EU border (export). The carrier or broker submits ENS to the ICS2 system. The driver receives an MRN number with a barcode.

At the checkpoint, the driver presents:

when entering Ukraine — the PN or PD number;
when entering the EU — the MRN (ENS barcode).

The systems compare data automatically. If everything matches — the vehicle is allowed through.

Common mistakes that delay transport at the border

Discrepancy in weight and number of packages: even a few kilograms difference between the data in the PN/PD/ENS and the actual invoice — this is grounds for a report on violation of customs rules. Double-check the figures before submission.
Error in the vehicle number: one incorrect letter in the trailer number in the PN — and the vehicle will be sent to control until the document is corrected or a new one is issued. A loss of several hours is guaranteed.
ENS submitted too late: submitted 10 minutes before the barrier — wait in the holding area. The system does not have time to process the risk assessment, and the vehicle will not be allowed through until the mandatory hour has passed.
No EORI number: a Ukrainian carrier wants to submit ENS themselves — but without EORI this is impossible. Solving this problem right before the trip is not advisable: obtaining EORI takes time.
Incorrectly determined document type: the broker submitted PN instead of PD for excise goods — at the border they will demand a financial guarantee that doesn't exist. The vehicle will stand.

Frequently asked questions about PN / PD / ENS

Can an error in PN or PD be corrected after submission?

If the vehicle hasn't reached the checkpoint yet — yes. The broker recalls the document and submits a new one (or makes changes if the document format allows it). If the driver has already entered the checkpoint area — it's almost impossible to change. Usually this ends with a delay and a fine.

What happens if the driver doesn't have ENS when entering the EU?

European customs will not let the vehicle through. The truck will be sent to a neutral lane — and will stay there until the carrier arranges ENS and waits the mandatory hour after registration in the system. In the worst case — also a fine.

Is it mandatory to hire a broker or can you do everything yourself?

Technically — you can do it yourself. Large companies set up direct integration with customs systems (Ukrainian and European ICS2). But it is expensive: specialized software and qualified specialists are needed. Therefore, most market participants work through brokers — it is cheaper, faster and more reliable than maintaining their own staff.

Are the requirements for ENS the same for all EU countries?

The ICS2 system is unified for the entire EU, but the specific border crossing and country of entry may affect processing nuances. The essence is the same: the declaration is submitted to the system of the country of first entry into the European Union (Poland, Slovakia, Romania, etc.).

Is ENS needed if the cargo is transiting through the EU and not staying there?

Yes. ENS is submitted for any cargo entering the EU territory — regardless of whether it stays there or continues in transit.

How much does it cost to arrange PN, PD or ENS?

The cost depends on the broker and the complexity of the cargo. PN is the simplest and cheapest document. PD is more expensive due to working with financial guarantees. ENS is usually included in the overall cost of customs support. Approximate figures are best clarified directly with the broker — they vary greatly.

Summary

PN — a simple notification for ordinary goods without excise duties. No financial guarantees required.

PD — a declaration for excise and "risk" goods. Financial security is indispensable.

ENS — a safety and security declaration for entering the EU. Submitted at least an hour before the border, an EORI number is required.

All three documents are submitted electronically — no papers at the border, just numbers and barcodes. Errors in data or late submission — this means vehicle downtime, fines and headache.

If you want to establish regular deliveries between Ukraine and Europe, a reliable customs broker is not a luxury, but a basic necessity. The company TobiPaczka offers forwarding services, including not only assistance with customs issues but also the provision of transport solutions.