Export declarations for moving goods directly from Northern Ireland to Great Britain

Find out if you need to use the Trader Support Service to make an export declaration for your goods movement.

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This guidance is about moving goods from Northern Ireland directly to Great Britain. There’s a different process if you’re moving goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain through Ireland.

When you need an export declaration

You must submit an export declaration when moving ‘non-qualifying’ goods from Northern Ireland directly to Great Britain.

Non-qualifying goods means the goods are not in free circulation in Northern Ireland.

This includes goods that are:

moving under a customs special procedure in Northern Ireland, including transit
held in an authorised temporary storage facility
on the list of goods subject to specific international obligations

‘Qualifying goods’ are goods that are in free circulation in Northern Ireland, and most do not need an export declaration when moving directly from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

Using the Trader Support Service for your export declaration

For this type of movement you must submit:

an export declaration
an exit summary declaration

The exit summary declaration is included as part of the export declaration when using the service. The Trader Support Service will update the Customs Declaration Service.

You must also submit an entry summary declaration before non-qualifying goods arrive in Great Britain.

You can:

submit it through the Trader Support Service, as part of the export process
submit it separately outside of the Trader Support Service

Check when to submit an entry summary declaration

Before you submit: who does what

Actions	Trader(seller/exporter, buyer/importer)	Transporter(carrier, haulier)	Intermediary(agent/freight forwarder)
Check if you need an export declaration based on the goods status (qualifying or non-qualifying)	Yes	No	Yes(if acting on behalf of the trader)
Decide who will submit the export declaration	Yes	No	Yes (if acting on behalf of the trader)
Make sure the correct EORI number is used Note: if removing goods from a customs special procedure, use the same EORI number as when they were entered into that procedure	Yes	Yes	Yes
Register with the Trader Support Service. You only need to do this once	Yes	Yes	Yes (if acting on behalf of the trader)
Check if your goods need licences, certificates and authorisations. Look under Export in each commodity code on the Northern Ireland Online Tariff	Yes	No	Yes (if acting on behalf of the trader)
Prepare goods, movement and consignment information needed to create a declaration in the Trader Support Service	Yes	No	Yes (if acting on behalf of the trader)
Submit an entry summary declaration before goods leave Northern Ireland. For roll on roll off (RoRo) this is at least 2 hours before arrival	No, but the trader must give the information needed to complete the entry summary declaration	Yes	Yes (if acting on behalf of the carrier)
Submit the export declaration in TSS	Yes	No	Yes (if acting on behalf of the trader)
Respond to document checks if asked	Yes	No	Yes (if acting on behalf of the trader)

After you submit: who does what

Actions	Trader(seller/exporter, buyer/importer)	Transporter(carrier, haulier)	Intermediary(agent/freight forwarder)
Check you have the Movement Reference Number (MRN) and Declaration Unique Consignment Reference (DUCR) from Trader Support Service. You will get these once goods are released for movement	Yes	No	Yes (if acting on behalf of the trader)
Share the MRN, DUCR and all shipment details with the haulierDo not allow goods to move until release is confirmed	Yes	No	Yes (if acting on behalf of the trader)
Prepare goods for movement, for example ensure the goods are correctly packed and ready for transport	Yes	Yes	Yes, if responsible for packing or handling the goods
Make sure goods being moved match the goods being declared	Yes	Yes	Yes (if acting on behalf of the trader)
Create a Goods Movement Reference, also known as GMR, on the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (using the DUCR provided by the trader or intermediary.Ensure that the status of the goods movement reference is ‘ready for check-in’.Each goods movement reference covers a single crossing and can only be used once. Ensure the goods movement reference includes all required references including the DUCR.	No	Yes	Yes (if acting on behalf of the carrier)
Ensure the goods movement reference is finalised before presenting to the carrier (ship operator) at check-in at Belfast, Larne or Warrenpoint.You will not be permitted to board without a valid goods movement reference	No	Yes	Yes (if acting on behalf of the carrier)

Creating a declaration in the Trader Support Service

You will need:

movement details
consignment details
goods details

You can find this information from:

commercial invoices – includes the names of the seller and buyer, the value of the goods, and a description of the goods. See the goods description guidance.
packing lists - number of packages, as well as their weight and size
transport documents –international consignment note (CMR) for road transport

Check the detailed data requirements on: Appendix 22: Declaration Category Data Sets.

At the Northern Ireland port

Traders do not need to do anything at this point.

Carriers and hauliers will have actions, depending on the type of goods.

Standard goods, goods under customs special procedures

The carrier or haulier needs to present the valid goods movement reference and any documentation required for the goods at the Northern Ireland port of departure.

Prohibited or restricted goods

The carrier or haulier, needs to follow the port of arrival’s processes for checks on prohibited or restricted goods. This may vary depending on the port and the type of goods.

On arrival in Great Britain

If you are moving qualifying goods, you will not need an import declaration.

Find information about moving qualifying Northern Ireland goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

If your goods do not meet the criteria to be qualifying goods you may need an import declaration.

Find information about moving non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain

If your movement is selected for checks, the carrier or haulier must follow any instructions from the relevant authority or port operator.