Transit movement changes

Transit movement changes in GVMS for Common Transit Convention Movements for exports.

From 1st August 2022, you can no longer input a transit Movement Reference Number (MRN) in a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) for an outbound transit movement from Great Britain, unless you are an authorised consignor or consignee (ACC).

HMRC is making this change so that standard and arrived export ports are using the similar processes to verify customs clearances and keep goods flowing at the border.

From this date there are some things you need to know depending on if you are:

• a business with authorised consignor or consignee (ACC) status
• the exporter or customs agent declaring the goods
• the person or business transporting the goods.

1. If you are a business with ACC status

If you are an ACC, please continue to use the current process until this changes. You can apply to be an ACC on GOV.UK

2. If you are not an ACC, from 1 August, you will need to follow one of the two processes below:

Include all Declaration Unique Consignment References (DUCRs) in a GMR

If you are an exporter or customs agent, you will need to:

• provide all the DUCRs to the person or business transporting your goods to include in the GMR.
• complete the relevant customs procedures to clear any customs hold on the DUCRs. This will help avoid any delays at the Office of Departure.
• make sure the Permission to Proceed notices (P2Ps) have been received for the whole consignment
• submit the required documents if your goods have been selected for documentary checks to the National Clearance Hub before the goods leave your premises.

If you are the person or business transporting the goods, you will need to:

• add all the DUCRs to the GMR – this is a legal requirement
• take the goods to an Inland Border Facility (IBF) or a port’s designated customs facility first if it is selected for an inspection. You will need to inform the staff at the site that the goods have been selected for an inspection.

Include all the DUCRs in a Master Unique Consignment Reference (MUCR)

If you are an exporter or customs agent, you will need to:

• create the MUCR in an acceptable format and give the reference number in writing to the person or business transporting your goods.
• add all DUCRs to the MUCR – this is a legal requirement

If you are the person or business transporting the goods, you will need to:

• get the MUCR from the person or customs agent declaring the goods, in an acceptable written format.
• take the goods to an Inland Border Facility (IBF) or a port’s designated customs facility first if it is selected for an inspection. You will need to inform the staff at the site that the goods have been selected for an inspection.
• carry the MUCR, separately from the GMR, and present it at the Office of Departure with the Local Reference Number (LRN) of the outbound transit movement.

After presenting the MUCR and the LRN, you will receive a printed transit accompanying document (TAD) at the Office of Departure.

Before arriving at the locations where your goods will leave Great Britain, you must enter the transit MRN from the TAD into the GMR. You will be turned away at those locations if you fail to do this.

Why is it important I know about these transit movement changes?

If you do not do this your goods will be turned back at the Office of Departure, meaning a TAD will not be printed, and the transit procedure will not start.

Source: BIFA
Published: 14th July 2022