Travelling under the Common Transit Convention procedure using Goods Vehicle Movement Service 

Information for travelling under the Common Transit Convention procedure using Goods Vehicle Movement Service .

Following EU exit, the UK became a member of the Common Transit Convention (CTC) in its own right. CTC movements can be made by road, rail, sea and air between the UK and other national administrations in the CTC. Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) manages those at roll on roll off (RoRo) locations. 

Check if you can use transit to move goods to the EU and CTC countries. 

Inbound  

A transit movement reference number (MRN) can only be added to a goods movement reference (GMR) once it has been released to transit. Once added to a GMR, GVMS will validate the Transit MRN in New Computerised Transit System (NCTS). If the NCTS message to GVMS is valid, the GMR can be checked in by the haulier. 

On embarkation all checks on the MRN will take place and the haulier will be advised by GVMS if there are any holds in place and whether an inspection is required by Border Force either at the port of arrival, or at an Inland Border Facility. It is the haulier’s responsibility to ensure that they are up to date with the GMR status. 

For goods moving under transit, to comply with CTC and avoid any delays at international borders, the UK government has agreed to the use of a digital process for movements entering through a border location that uses GVMS. This means that the Office of Transit functions can be completed following departure from the EU port. 

To do this the transit MRN needs to be entered into GVMS to create a GMR. The associated import declaration covering the goods moving under transit must not be entered into GVMS. 

It is incorrect for GVMS users to enter either the import declaration instead of or as well as the transit MRN. The following scenarios do not meet UK regulations by: 

  • not entering the transit MRN, the Office of Transit cannot be carried out in line with the CTC and UK Regulations and may cause delays upon reaching the Office of Destination 
  • entering the import declaration MRN for those goods under the transit movement this puts the goods into two customs regimes at the point of entry to UK

Outbound 

For exports, where the goods are being exported across a CTC country, in addition to the export declaration that has been submitted into Customs Declaration System (CDS), a transit declaration will also need to be submitted into NCTS. 

Only the export Declaration Unique Consignment Reference (DUCR) should be included in the GMR, unless they are an Authorised Consignee or Consignor (ACC) who also holds one of the following authorisations: 

  • Customs Supervised Export (CSE) 
  • Designated Export Place (DEP) 
  • Internal Temporary Storage Facilities (ITSFs)  
  • Export Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 

Landbridge movement 

A landbridge movement is when goods are moved from one CTC country to another through Great Britain, for example from France, through Great Britain, to Ireland. That means that goods do not undergo full import or export procedures in Great Britain and customs duties are deferred until goods reach their destination. 

Prior to the departure from a CTC country or territory, a declarant must create a transit declaration in NCTS. The system will generate the transit MRN which is validated when entered into a GMR. At check-in the haulier must present their GMR barcode at the EU departure port. During the crossing, the haulier must check the inspection status and attend if required. 

For the outbound journey, a new GMR must be created and the transit MRN must be entered. The driver must present the GMR barcode to the carrier at check-in at the Great British departure port. 

Further information on Transit movements can be found in the Transit Manual Supplement.