Guidance

September 2025 — Business Continuity Procedures for transit update

Updated 15 September 2025

We are issuing an update to Chapter 7 of the Transit Manual Supplement (TMS), which explains Business Continuity Procedure (BCP) for transit.

The TMS was last updated in January 2025 when the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) final state rules were implemented, including the removal of the Single Administrative Document (SAD) option in the Goods Movement Reference (GMR) and the introduction of the offline transit accompanying document (TAD).

This update makes BCP easier to understand for all transit stakeholders and provides clarity about the actions they need to take to prepare for and use BCP.

What’s been updated

When BCP can be used for outbound and inbound movements

We have clarified how and when BCP can be used for outbound and inbound movements during scheduled and unscheduled downtime. The status of NCTS and whether BCP has been allowed is always communicated on the NCTS Service Availability page.

During unscheduled NCTS downtime

During unscheduled NCTS downtime, BCP for outbound movements will usually be allowed by HMRC if NCTS is still unavailable after 2 hours and a fix time has not been identified. When BCP is available to be used goods can be moved through frontier customs offices of departure using an offline TAD.

During scheduled NCTS downtime

During scheduled NCTS downtime, we may allow BCP to be used and this will be notified by prior agreement.

Authorised consignors and consignees

Authorised consignors and consignees should check the details of their authorisation and the TMS to understand when and how BCP can be used to move goods from or to their premises.

Authorised consignors must have deed of gift authorisation to use BCP for outbound movements directly from their premises. Authorised consignees may initiate the arrival process by email and unload goods that arrive when NCTS is unavailable. They must then complete the movement on NCTS when it is available again.

Removal of section in Chapter 7

We have removed the section of Chapter 7 relating to how high-priority goods are handled in the event of BCP. Each port and inland border facility operates its own rules about handling high-priority goods on site. If you’re moving high priority goods using BCP, you should contact the specific port you are travelling from for further information.

Advice on alternative procedures

We no longer provide advice on which alternative procedures can be used in the event of regular transit procedures being unavailable. You can read the guidance on how to find this information in section 7.7 of the TMS.

Using Business Continuity Procedure for transit

The following information may help you avoid common errors and use BCP for transit in the most effective way.

Pre-lodge your guarantee certificate

Holders of the procedure must lodge official copies of either their TC31 guarantee certificate, or copies of their TC33 guarantee waiver certificate, at all offices of departure they plan to use. If only one guarantee certificate is held, you must take it to the office of departure with the declaration. Multiple copies of the guarantee certificate can be requested from the Central Community Transit Office (CCTO) if you expect to use multiple offices of departure.

Keep your signatories up to date

Holders of the procedure should make sure all signatories are kept up to date to reduce delays in processing offline TADs. The signature on the offline TAD must match the signature on the guarantee certificate.

Cancel any movements that have failed in NCTS

If you decide to revert to business continuity procedures for a movement, any declaration entered in NCTS but not processed further due to IT failure must be withdrawn from NCTS when it becomes available again. You should start the movement again following business continuity procedures.

Use the printed template of the offline TAD 

A copy of the offline TAD can be printed off from the Transit Manual Supplement. You’ll need to supply additional copies to the driver or haulier for the office of departure and office of destination. A copy of the offline TAD, or a transit accompanying note (TAN or TC10) form, can be used by the driver or haulier for offices of transit.

If you’re an authorised consignor 

If you’re an authorised consignor and you want to use BCP to move goods from your own premises, you must:

• be pre-authorised with deed of gift authorisation
• have Business Continuity Stamps specific to each location you’re using

If you’re not pre-authorised, you may be able to use a frontier customs office of departure for outbound movements using BCP.

Keep business as usual movements and BCP movements separate

A movement that is started under BCP in another national administration must be closed under that procedure.

Close movements in NCTS that start in NCTS

If a movement has successfully started at the office of departure on NCTS in another national administration, it must be ended on NCTS. When NCTS is unavailable to arrive inbound movements, the movement can be discharged by Border Force using the particulars on the TAD or other supporting documents. The movement must be closed on NCTS later when it becomes available again.