Moving transit goods and using other transit simplifications
Published 29 May 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/discover-customs-authorisations-that-help-you-import-and-export-goods/moving-transit-goods-and-using-other-transit-simplifications
Authorised consignee
Description of authorised consignee authorisation
You can apply for authorised consignee authorisation if you both:
- move goods regularly using transit
- hold a transit authorisation
As an authorised consignee you will be authorised to end transit movements at your own premises.
Benefits and features of authorised consignee authorisation
As an authorised consignee, you can receive goods without needing to present the goods and Transit Accompanying Document to customs at a customs office. You can read more about Transit Accompanying Documents in use the New Computerised Transit System.
You can send notification messages to the relevant office electronically and receive automatic permission to unload the goods on the New Computerised Transit System. This does not apply if the goods are subject to further controls or inspections by the customs office.
You can also apply to add as many locations as you need to your authorisation if the specified conditions are met.
Authorised consignor
Description of authorised consignor authorisation
You can apply for authorised consignor authorisation if you both:
-
move goods regularly using transit
-
hold a transit authorisation
As an authorised consignor you will be authorised to begin transit movements at your own premises.
Benefits and features of authorised consignor authorisation
As an authorised consignor, you can:
- declare goods without presenting them at a customs office
- print the Transit Accompanying Document
- remove the goods under customs control directly from your authorised location
You can also apply to add as many locations as you need to your authorisation if the specified conditions are met.
All of these benefits may reduce your logistics costs, save you time and reduce your administrative burden.
Special seals
Description of special seals authorisation
Holding this authorisation will allow you to use seals that are different from the regular seals used by customs on your means of transport.
The seal used must meet the standard set by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and you need to hold authorised consignor status.
Benefits and features of special seals authorisation
Holding this authorisation can save you time and benefit your security. You can use seals of a special type on methods of transport, containers or packages instead of going to customs to get the consignment sealed.
Special loading lists
Description of special loading lists authorisation
When you move goods under transit, they will usually be accompanied by a document called ‘Transit Accompanying Document’ containing the list of items being moved. A loading list is a paper document in a standard customs format that can be used in place of the list of items on the Transit Accompanying Document.
Holding this authorisation allows you to use a loading list that does not meet the standard format but contains all the required data requested by HMRC.
Benefits and features of special loading lists authorisation
Holding special loading lists authorisation allows you to produce, from your own software, the loading list information in a non-standard format. This reduces the administrative burden of producing loading lists.
Authorised issuer for proof of Union status
Description of authorised issuer for proof of Union status authorisation
When goods are transported between EU countries, the route sometimes goes outside of the EU. When this happens, the customs status of the Union goods must be proven when the goods return to the EU customs territory. If the customs status is not proven, customs duties are due.
Proof of Union status allows an economic operator established in Northern Ireland or the EU to provide declarations which are proof that goods were produced in the EU.
Benefits and features of authorised issuer for proof of Union status authorisation
Holding this authorisation allows goods that originated in the EU to be transferred inside the EU without any additional customs formalities.