From 1 August traders can no longer input a transit Movement Reference Number (MRN) in a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) for an outbound transit movement from Great Britain, unless specified below.

Background

 Previously carriers/exporters had the option to either declare the Export Declaration Unique Consignment Number (DUCR) or the Transit Movement Reference Number (MRN).

HMRC are making this change so standard and arrived export ports are using the similar processes to verify customs clearances and keep goods flowing at the border.

Businesses with Authorised Consignor and Consignee (ACC) status should continue to use the current process of inputting a Transit Accompanying Document Movement Reference Number (TAD MRN) in their GMR and we will let them know when this changes.

Authorised Consignors and Consignees are trusted traders, authorised to start and end the Transit movements of goods and complete customs formalities at their own premises (away from the border) under the Common Transit Convention (CTC).

Businesses can apply to be an ACC on GOV.UK

What do I have to do from the 1^st of August?

 If a business does not have ACC status, from 1 August, they will need to follow one of the two processes below:

1.      Include all Declaration Unique Consignment References (DUCRs) in a GMR

If they are an exporter or customs agent, they will need to:

• provide all the DUCRs to the person or business transporting their goods to include in the GMR
• complete the relevant customs procedures to clear any customs hold on the DUCRs. This will help avoid any delays at the Office of Departure
• make sure the Permission to Proceed notices (P2Ps) have been received for the whole consignment
• submit the required documents if their goods have been selected for documentary checks to the National Clearance Hub before the goods leave their premises.

If they are the person or business transporting the goods, they will need to:

• add all the DUCRs to the GMR – this is a legal requirement
• take the goods to an Inland Border Facility (IBF) or a port’s designated customs facility first, if it is selected for an inspection. They will need to inform the staff at the site that the goods have been selected for an inspection. 

It will no longer be possible to add the TAD MRN to the GMR.

Please note, traders using the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) to create their export declarations, should only use this option from 1 August. We will contact them if this position changes. 

2.      Include all the DUCRs in a Master Unique Consignment Reference (MUCR)

If they are an exporter or customs agent, they will need to:

• create the MUCR in an acceptable format and give the reference number in writing to the person or business transporting your goods
• add all DUCRs to the MUCR – this is a legal requirement.

If they are the person or business transporting the goods, they will need to:

• get the MUCR from the person or customs agent declaring the goods, in an acceptable written format
• take the goods to an Inland Border Facility (IBF) or a port’s designated customs facility first, if it is selected for an inspection. They will need to inform the staff at the site that the goods have been selected for an inspection.
• carry the MUCR, separately from the GMR, and present it at the Office of Departure with the Local Reference Number (LRN) of the outbound transit movement.

After presenting the MUCR and the LRN, they will receive a printed transit accompanying document (TAD) at the Office of Departure.

Before arriving at the locations where their goods will leave Great Britain, they must enter the TAD MRN from the TAD into a GMR. The drivers will be turned away at those locations if the person or business transporting the goods fail to do this.

Following this update HRMC have released the below FAQs to assist customers....

How do I create a MUCR?

MUCRs can be created either at the time a declaration is lodged or by completing a consolidation transaction in CHIEF. To create a MUCR at the time a declaration is lodged a unique MUCR reference should be created and added to Box 44 in CHIEF. 

To create a MUCR using the consolidation transaction, a unique MUCR should be created and linked to the required DUCRs via the consolidation transaction. In CHIEF this transaction is referred to AEAC. For commercial software users, your software may refer to AEAC as either consolidating or associating DUCRs. 

 What MUCR format can I use?

Your MUCR should be in the format GB/EORI-s…s - GB, followed by the slash, then a valid EORI, hyphen and then at least one alpha or numeric character 

What references do I need to include in a GMR for my transit goods?

You will need to include either: 

• all your export declaration references (DUCRs) in a GMR before you arrive at an Office of Departure; or 
• input a TAD MRN in your GMR after a paper TAD is printed for you at the Office of Departure, where you decide to include your DUCRs in a master reference (MUCR) and present it manually there. 

What is a manual MUCR?

As GVMS do not accept MUCRs currently, if you want to use the MUCR based solution for the export-transit process, you will need to consolidate all your DUCRs into a MUCR and not input this into GVMS. Instead, you will need to give the MUCR number to your haulier in a written format, who will present this manually at the Office of Departure. 

Can I still use the TAD MRN?

If you are using the manual MUCR solution, you will have to input a TAD MRN in GVMS after the driver is provided with the paper TAD at the Office of Departure. This is because a valid GMR is required to exit via an arrived export location and under the manual MUCR process, the GMR would be empty until the TAD MRN is put in. You cannot use a TAD MRN if you are including all the DUCRs in GVMS. 

Do I still need an LRN at the Office of Departure?

Yes, you will still require an LRN (same process as before) while attending an Office of Departure. 

I am an Authorised Consignor or Consignee (ACC). Does the short-term solution impact me?

No, ACCs are exempted from the current process and can continue to input a TAD MRN in their GMR over the short-term. We will let you know when the position changes. 

Should I attend an Inland Border Facility (IBF) if I have pending documentary checks?

No, you should only attend an IBF when your goods have been selected for an inspection or when we specifically ask you to. All documents should be submitted to the National Clearance Hub (NCH) while the goods are still at your premises. 

How does the short-term solutions work at ports where you do not declare as arrived exports/ports that use the standard export process?

The short-term solutions do not impact the non-arrived export ports, as a TAD MRN cannot be used within those locations. They will continue to use the current process as applicable there. 

Can I input a MUCR in a GMR?

No, GVMS do not accept MUCRs currently. 

Will the MUCR functionality be delivered in GVMS?

We are working on delivering a longer-term system solution in GVMS which will enhance the process for uploading DUCRs to GVMS.. The exact solution on how this is delivered is still being worked on and we will reach out to trade in due course when the position is finalised. 

Can I use the manual MUCR for CDS declarations?

No, you cannot currently use the manual MUCR for CDS declarations. Instead, you should include all your CDS DUCRs in a GMR in the same way as you would do if using this option on CHIEF. 

I do not have a DUCR as my goods originated in another country (trans-shipment). What do I do? 

You will need to follow the current process and input a TAD MRN in your GMR to depart via the GVMS port. 

Customers can access more information at:

·        UK Trade Tariff: Exports

·        Register for the Goods Vehicle Movement Service

·        Get a Goods Movement Reference

·        Haulier handbook