Moving licensed goods into or out of Northern Ireland
Find out what you need to do if you move licensed goods into or out of Northern Ireland by import, export or transit.
License data on a declaration will be verified by a system called the Certificates Exchange System (CERTEX) for Northern Ireland. This will replace the Automatic Licence Verification System (ALVS). This guidance will be updated when CERTEX comes into effect with more information on what you need to do to prepare for the changes. Read the guidance for Importing SPS controlled goods that interact with the ALVS.
There will be no change to the system you use for entering information in your declaration and license.
The format for entering license information may change.
If you move licensed goods into or out of Northern Ireland by import, export or transit
You must make sure the information on your declaration matches the information on the relevant licence or certification. If it does not match, your haulier may need to report for inspection.
You can find further information if you move goods using the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS).
Licensed goods that are eligible to move under the UK Internal Market Scheme can be moved using the Internal Market Movements process.
You can also find out more about moving licensed goods as parcels.
What you should do with your declarations
You should make sure the information you provide on your declaration matches the licence or certificate for the goods you are moving into or out of Northern Ireland.
If there is a problem with your declaration or goods
You will receive a notification from the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) if there is a problem with your declaration or goods. For example, when:
- a valid certificate or licence for your goods cannot be found (this will be checked at the pre-lodgement stage)
- there is a mismatch between the data supplied on your declaration and the relevant licence or certificate (during the crossing)
- your licence has insufficient quantity remaining (during the crossing) — when you have used all the allocation available for your licence
Before your goods arrive, you should:
- check your supporting licence
- amend your declaration, if you need to
- respond to any messages you receive from CDS
If your software does not allow you to amend your declaration, you need to cancel your declaration and submit a new one.
If you’re using the Trader Support Service for your licensed goods movements, you should contact them to help you.
How to complete certain data elements on your declaration
Mismatches between your licensed goods and your declaration can cause delays to your goods movements. Read the instructions on how to complete declaration imports.
You can read more information on licences and document codes.
Data element — 2/3 Common Health Entry Document
The Common Health Entry Document (CHED) reference format must be letters followed by numbers and include the full stop character. For example, ‘CHEDA.XI.2025.1234567’.
If the reference is not completed correctly:
- the licence cannot be validated
- your declaration will be rejected
- you will not receive a Movement Reference Number (MRN) and will not be able to continue moving your goods
The CHED reference must be provided on your declaration in the new format.
Data element — 6/1 Net Mass
You should make sure this data element on your declaration matches the licence.
Data element — 6/2 Supplementary Units/SW Measurement Unit Code
You should make sure this data element on your declaration matches the licence.
Data element — 6/14 and 6/15 Commodity Codes
You should make sure this data element on your declaration matches the licence.
In all cases, if the information does not match, then your goods may be subject to a hold or an inspection when it arrives in Northern Ireland.
If you need to report for an inspection
If you are a driver or haulier and you may need to report for an inspection:
- the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) driver messaging service will notify you
- you can use our online service to check if you need to report an inspection
Your inspection status will be one of the following:
-
inspection needed — unless you are told otherwise, you need to report to either or both of the following:
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland (DAERA) facility
- Border Force facility
- no inspection needed — you do not need to report to a DAERA or Border Force facility for inspection
- your inspection status is not ready yet — a decision has not been made on your goods and you should await confirmation
If you need an inspection, the GVMS will tell you which DAERA or Border Force facility to report to.
You can find more information on:
Further information and support
The following is a list of certificates to which the checks apply along with the relevant document code:
| Certificate type | Certificate Type Detail |
|---|---|
| COI | Certificates of Organic Conformity |
| CHED.PP | Plants and plant products |
| CHED.D | Food and feed of non-animal origin |
| CHED.P | Food and products of animal origin |
| CHED.A | Live animals |
| ODS | Ozone depleting substances |
| FGAS | Fluorinated gases |
If you need more support you can:
- contact HMRC about customs
- contact Defra about licences and import and export of certain products
- contact the Trader Support Service if you are signed up