CDS Movement Reference Number (MRN) guide
Updated 10 January 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/customs-declaration-service-communication-pack/cds-movement-reference-number-mrn-guide
The way you make declarations – for yourself or on behalf of other businesses – is changing
HMRC is gradually introducing the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), the long-term replacement for the current Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system.
All import declarations already need to be made through CDS. From 30 March 2024, all export declarations should be made through CDS.
The information that you need to supply to submit your declarations will change with CDS, with Movement Reference Numbers being used instead of CHIEF entry numbers.
What is a Movement Reference Number (MRN) on CDS?
On CDS the MRN is a customs identification number that’s created each time a declaration is submitted for importing or exporting goods. The number generated is bespoke, allowing your goods to be uniquely linked to you. As such, MRNs form an important part of the audit process for your declarations.
How does a MRN differ from the entry key on CHIEF?
The MRN on CDS performs the same function, and is equivalent to, the CHIEF entry key that consists of the Entry Processing Unit number (EPU), entry number, and date.
How is the MRN assigned?
For every declaration processed, CDS will issue a unique MRN. This is automatically generated for all import and export declarations, including pre-lodged declarations submitted to CDS. The MRN is included in our initial notification response to the declaration submission and will be available to view in your commercial software. Should your declaration be rejected, a new MRN will be created when the declaration is successfully resubmitted.
When should a CDS generated MRN not be used?
When submitting an export declaration through CDS for goods moving through a GVMS location, you should follow the ‘Create a good movement reference’ (GMR) guidance on GOV.UK to make sure you are using the correct declaration references.
When submitting an export declaration through CDS for goods moving through an inventory linked maritime location, you must not use the CDS MRN as a reference for export arrival movements. Instead, you must use a Declaration Unique Consignment Reference (DUCR)
What characters make up the MRN number?
The MRN is an 18-character ID, made up of both numbers and letters. The 18-character MRN contains the following elements:
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Year – current year is noted as two digits, so 2024 becomes ‘24’
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Country code – your two-digit geographical code. For United Kingdom, this is shown as ‘GB’
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14-character alphanumeric reference, which is randomly generated in CDS
The CDS Movement Reference Number is equivalent to the CHIEF entry number that includes the EPU.