Guidance

How to use the online NCTS

Updated 1 April 2021

1. Completing New Computer Transit System (NCTS) electronic declarations and messages

Full guidance on the completion of a transit declaration is contained in Part IV of the European Commission’s Transit Manual and Integrated Tariff of the UK: volume 3.

1.1 How to complete the fields/boxes

The relevant law on the completion of the various NCTS electronic declarations/messages is provided in EC Regulation 2454/93, the Implementing Provisions of the Community Customs Code and Appendix III of the Convention on common transit.

1.2 How to amend your declaration

Using the EDCS route, if an electronic declaration is rejected on initial input, you will receive a rejection message (IE16). Amend the declaration and resubmit it.

The NCTS web service will also allow users to amend invalid declarations on receipt of an IE16 rejection message.

1.3 Cancellation

You can send in an electronic Request for Cancellation (IE14) if your declaration has not yet had the IE29 (Release for Transit) message generated, or contact the Office of Departure off line. You may request cancellation after release of the goods but only if transportation of the movement has not commenced.

1.4 Printing the Transit Accompanying Document

The Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) can be printed at the premises of the declarant, provided the printer is of an acceptable standard. Your printer must be capable of printing the TAD and its barcode, otherwise the printed TAD must be collected from Customs at the declared Office of Departure.

Using the EDCS route, the IE29 message, containing the embedded data required to print the TAD, will be returned to the last email address for a specific message sender ID. It is advisable, therefore, that a single company email address is used for the purpose of submitting declarations.

1.5 What to do if NCTS is not available

Find details of NCTS service availability. If you cannot access NCTS, contact the NCTS Helpdesk.

2. Offices or premises

Goods must be in a Customs controlled location before you can make a declaration unless you are either:

• an Authorised Consignor
• making a declaration with ‘pre-lodged‘ in the agreed location of goods code field, causing the declaration to be put into the ‘submitted’ state

The declaration will only be moved to the ‘accepted’ state by Customs at the Office of Departure when the goods are presented there.

2.1 Use of approved premises (authorised location) to end full common transit movements

Before you can use any simplified procedures under the NCTS your authorisation details must be set up on the NCTS database. These particulars will include details of your controlling office of destination, your authorised location code(s) etc. This information will be taken from your authorisation details.

2.2 Where to present your goods

Present your goods to the office of destination specified on the TAD. Exceptionally the goods may be presented and the transit movement may be ended at any office of destination, which is approved for the presentation of goods under CT, except when the movement is subject to a ‘prescribed itinerary’. In those particular cases separate rules and conditions apply.

2.3 Broken seals or part of the load missing

If seals have been broken prior to arrival, the authorised consignor should notify Customs before opening the doors. If you discover the load does not match the description or List of Items you should immediately notify any irregularities to your control office of destination. If they have already given you unloading permission, then you must catalogue your findings in the ‘unloading remarks’ message.

2.4 Restrictions on goods

There are no restrictions on the classes of goods you can make electronic declarations for. NCTS can handle all types of goods including the full range of goods classified as ‘sensitive’. Relevant legislation Annex 44c to regulation 2454/93/EEC.

2.5 Number of items that can be included

NCTS can handle a maximum of 999 items per declaration. However, NCTS web users will be limited to 99 items. Further information is available in the UK Supplement to the Transit Manual

2.6 How to mix T1, T2 and T2F status goods on a declaration

Use T- in the header information, and then confirm whether the goods are T1, T2 or T2F status at item level.

2.7 Give the full identity of the transport at the office of departure

Include sufficient information to identify the transport in the ‘Identity at Departure’ field (box 18). This field is mandatory on the NCTS and for all CT movements by road, rail, sea or air. However, principals are sometimes not aware of the identity of the transport at the time of making an NCTS declaration. Authorised principals can apply for a concession to enter these details in box 55 before presentation of the goods at the office of destination.

Applications should be sent to the National Simplifications Team at the Central Community Transit Office with the following information:

• the circumstances in which the concession is required
• a list of the offices of departure concerned
• the arrangements the applicant will put into place to ensure the identity and nationality of the means of transport are entered in box 55 of the TAD prior to presentation at the office of destination

For more information, see the UK Supplement to the Transit Manual.

2.8 The transport route

If a prescribed itinerary for the movement has been specified, this route must be used.

2.9 Where to present the consignment

Any nominated NCTS offices of transit will receive an electronic message telling them to expect the consignment to report to their office as it crosses the frontier.

Offices of Transit only arise when crossing between the UK and third countries, and between GB and either Northern Ireland or the EU. There are no Offices of Transit on the borders between:

• Northern Ireland and EU member states
• EU member states