Finding the right document code for your goods
Find out about document and waiver codes, when you need them on a customs declaration and how to find them.
Content
- What are document codes
- What are waiver codes
- Finding the right code for your goods
- Where to find document codes
- Pre-filled codes in the Trader Support Service
What are document codes
Document codes are short codes in a customs declaration that tell HMRC which certificates, authorisations, or licences apply to your goods.
What are waiver codes
Waiver codes are a type of document code that you use when a required document does not apply to your goods.
If you can prove that your goods do not need that documentation, you must enter a waiver code in your customs declaration.
Waiver codes start with:
- 9 for National waiver codes
- Y for Union waiver codes
Check which document codes apply to your goods
Use your commodity code to find which document codes you need for your customs declaration.
- Find your commodity code in the Northern Ireland Online Tariff.
- Under Import duties and EU import controls, check for any measures and conditions.
- Select Conditions to check the document codes and see what documents you need
- If you do need a document, make sure you have it, it is valid and not expired.
- If the document does not apply to your goods, check if there is a waiver code (for example, starting with a Y (Union), or a 9 (National) that you could use.
Where to find document codes
Document codes are divided into 2 categories:
- Union codes - these are for EU regulations, have 4 digits and start with a letter
- National codes – these are for United Kingdom regulations, have 4 digits and start with a number
Some document codes will also ask for a document status code. Document status codes give extra information about the document.
To find the correct status code, check the relevant document code in Appendix 5A: National Document Codes or in Appendix 5A: Union Document Codes, and look up the relevant status code.
See Appendix 5B: Data Element 2/3 document status codes for status code definitions.
In Data Element 2/3, of the Customs Declaration Service, you may also need to declare a government department licence. See Appendix 5C to find a list of codes for the types of licences that can be declared in Data Element 2/3.
Pre-filled codes in Trader Support Service
When you’re making a customs declaration, some document codes will be pre-filled for you.
Some examples of pre-filled codes are:
- 1UKI for UKIMS authorisation
- C505 for a Comprehensive Guarantee authorisation
- C506 for deferment of payment authorisation
- N935 to show which invoice contains the price used to calculate the customs value of the goods