Guidance

How to use NCTS XML

Updated 1 April 2021

Introduction

The New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) Extensible Markup Language (XML) channel gives an additional communication route for NCTS.

Using the XML route means sending and receiving Electronic Data Interchange for Administration Commerce and Transport (EDIFACT) messages wrapped with an XML envelope. This route is intended for medium to larger volume traders willing to invest in NCTS messaging software. Up to 999 items can be entered per declaration using this method. It is available if a trader decides to purchase or develop their own software.

NCTS XML ‘Wrapped’ EDIFACT declarations will be transmitted via HTTPS to the NCTS XML Channel Application, and will immediately receive an acknowledgement. The XML Channel application will forward the message on to EDCS, who will forward the declaration to the MCC. The response is returned back to the NCTS XML Channel Application via EDCS who will ‘re-wrap’ the message in XML. The user’s system polls the XML Application and the declarant receives the message.

Who can use NCTS XML

NCTS XML can be used by any authorised employee or representative of any company which has:

• a current Economic Operator Registration and Identification scheme (EORI) number
• a UK postcode associated with that EORI number
• access to an XML wrapping tool which can send in EDIFACT messages to the NCTS

Traders can buy or develop their own XML wrapping tool for delivering messages direct from their organisation or they can use a service provider that will perform the XML wrapping on their behalf.

If you want to purchase software, see the list of known software providers.

Benefits of NCTS XML

NCTS XML gives traders:

• guaranteed delivery of NCTS messages to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• a fully automated solution
• improved security
• an additional option to the email and web routes

You do not have to use NCTS XML. However, use of NCTS is mandatory so if you need to use Community Transit, you will have to use one of the communication routes available to access NCTS.

Paper declarations will only be allowed during fallback when NCTS is unavailable and for private travellers (with goods in excess of allowances).

There are 3 routes into NCTS:

1. The NCTS online service is a free to use service designed for traders who are low volume users. It gives the capability to communicate with the NCTS but is not the only option.

2. The XML route allows you to structure, store and exchange data. This means it can be used for both message transport and data representation and will overcome many of the problems associated with email.

3. Enter the goods to transit using email via the EDCS route, which gives more advanced features for users who use their own in-house or commercially available software.

Help to develop your own software

The following reference documents are available:

• Technical Pack for XML
• NCTS Technical Interface Specification (TIS)
• NCTS Technical Interface Specification (TIS) Appendices

Accompanying documents

The Transit Manual Part IV (NCTS), Chapter 2, Section 8 - Annexes, contains:

• guidelines for Printing of Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) and List of Items (Lol)
• technical information for Guidelines for Printing of TAD & Lol

How to enrol for NCTS XML

You will need:

• a current Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI) number
• a UK postcode associated with that EORI number
• access to an XML wrapping tool which can send in EDIFACT messages to the NCTS

If you use your own software system, you will need a Government Gateway account. You cannot use a Digital Certificate to register and enrol for NCTS XML.

A Gateway account is only mandatory if you are developing your own software. If you use software from a service provider, you do not need a Government Gateway account.

Get a Government Gateway account

Sign up for a Government Gateway account on the Government Gateway website. Registration on the Gateway may take up to 28 days. See more information on registration and enrolment.

You need a Government Gateway account to get a User ID and password which is then used when exchanging messages with the NCTS XML channel application. The application will then interface with the Government Gateway to authenticate and authorise the user.

If you initially registered for an ‘Organisation’ type user account you can use the same password and ID across government online services. If you only have an ‘Individual’ Gateway user account you will need to sign up again to get an ‘Organisation’ one.

How to test an XML wrapping tool

Your own system must have an XML wrapping tool that can send in EDIFACT messages to the NCTS. HMRC provides a test service to test XML and EDIFACT messages. To start testing XML messages you must register with the Software Developer Support (SDS) Team.

SDS provides technical information and support services to software developers during the development and testing of their products. They will provide you with the technical pack that will allow you to start developing the required code.

Once you have tested your XML wrapping tool on the test service and are happy with the results you can send messages to the live service. If you have a service provider they should have already tested the system so you will not need to.

How to register multiple users for NCTS XML

Once you have enrolled and activated the NCTS XML service you can add ‘administrators/peers’ and ‘assistants’. Administrators and assistants can submit NCTS declarations on your behalf, but administrators have additional rights to add or delete other users within your organisation, choose the correct role for each user.

To set up additional administrators and/or assistants:

1. Log in to the Government Gateway website.
2. Follow either the ‘Manage Administrators’ or ‘Manage Assistants’ link from the left hand menu.
3. Follow either the ‘Add an Administrator’ or ‘Add an Assistant’ link.
4. Enter the information requested then click the ‘Submit’ button.
5. Select the service you want to add the administrator or assistant to, then click ‘Submit’ to complete the process.

See more information on how to register and enrol for NCTS.

How to delete a user

If the user is registered as an assistant the administrator who created their account must delete them.

If the user is registered as an administrator then another administrator will have to do the deletion.

To delete a user:

1. Log in to the Government Gateway website..
2. Follow either the ‘Manage Administrators’ or ‘Manage Assistants’ link from the left hand menu.
3. Follow the relevant ‘Delete’ link from the ‘Action’ column.
4. Confirm you want to delete the administrator or assistant by clicking the ‘Continue’ button.

Do not remove the NCTS online service from the users account as this will de-enrol your organisation, including all of your users.

How to stop using the NCTS online service

If your organisation no longer wants to use NCTS, you can de-enrol from the service. To de-enrol for NCTS:

1. Log in to the HMRC website.
2. Follow the ‘Remove services’ link from the left hand menu.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove NCTS from your list of services.

This de-enrols your entire organisation and no one will be able to use the service after you do this.

Lost or forgotten User ID or password

You can request a new User ID or password from HMRC.

1. Go to the HMRC log in page.
2. Go to the list on online services and select NCTS.
3. Follow either the ‘Lost User ID?’ or ‘Lost password?’ link then follow the on-screen instructions.

If you have lost or forgotten both your User ID and password please contact the HMRC helpdesk

How to change your User ID or password

You cannot change your User ID but you can change your password. Log in to HMRC online services and follow the ‘Change password’ link on the ‘Your account’ page.

This change then needs to be updated in the XML schema that is sent to NCTS. If you do not change the XML schema your messages will not be delivered to the application.

Common abbreviations for NCTS XML

Abbreviation	Expansion
EDCS	Electronic Data Capture System
EDIFACT	Electronic Data Interchange for Administration Commerce and Transport
EORI	Economic Operator Registration Identification (replaced Trader Unique Registration Number)
MCC	Minimum Common Core (NCTS software developed by the EU Commission)
NCTS	New Computerised Transit System
SMTP	Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
XML	Extensible Mark-up Language

Help and support for NCTS XML

Contact the imports and exports helpline for general enquiry about the Community/common transit procedures.

For further information about sending and receiving EDIFACT messages by email, or about the NCTS online web service, see NCTS guidance on gov.uk

Further information on the Community and Common Transit procedures.