The United Kingdom (UK) Government has introduced a new IT platform for customs clearances, The Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS). GVMS is required at some UK ports as new border checks are required by the UK Government and European Union (EU) due to Brexit.
GVMS is designed to facilitate the process of clearing UK customs for both imports and exports at some UK ports.
Customs checks will begin on imports from the EU to GB from 1 January 2022. For UK ports operating “pre-lodgement” or “digital” Office of Transit, hauliers will need to pre-lodge customs declarations using GVMS. This includes shipments arriving into Dover or Folkestone.
A Goods Movement Reference (GMR) number is generated by GVMS, the GMR links together all the customs declarations for a particular shipment. This allows the haulier to present one GMR number at the European border to prove that all the goods being shipped have been correctly declared to HM Revenue and Customs.
The GMR specifies:
- Details of the planned crossing, if available, including the departure and arrival port, carrier, and departure time.
- The registration number of the vehicle making the crossing (unless the movement will be unaccompanied)
- Whether the vehicle arriving at check-in will accompany the movement on the crossing.
- The trailer numbers of all trailers attached to the vehicle.
- The direction of the crossing.
- Movement Reference Numbers for if required for goods within the vehicle and its trailers.
- Safety and security declaration references if required for goods within the vehicle and its trailers.
- Transit declaration references if required for goods within the vehicle and its trailers.
- Entry Into Declarant’s Records, ATA carnet, and TIR declaration references.
HMRC’s website provides a guide explaining how to obtain a GMR.
Each GMR contains details for a single crossing by one vehicle and can be used only once.
Lorry drivers will need a GMR before they will be allowed to board a ferry heading to a GB port using the ‘pre-lodgement’ model.
GVMS will notify the haulier whether any physical customs checks are required by HMRC and at which location the checks will need to take place.
Common ports such as Dover and Folkestone will be operating GVMS.
If you have queries regarding customs documentation, GMR or GVMS we can assist you. Contact us at Tudor International Freight, on 0333 1234 747 or email sales@tudorfreight.com.
About Us - Tudor International Freight
Established in Horsforth, Leeds, back in 1991, we are a logistics company who are experts in road, air and sea freight. We transport goods to most major cities, towns and suburbs across all 6 continents. We go over and above to ensure that our client’s products, goods and cargo are transported around the world safely and successfully. We are a family business, who are still based in Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire.