Import RORO Declaration

 

Importing Goods in the UK – Deciphering the Import Declaration Process

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At the core of the customs clearance process is the import declaration, which functions much like a passport for your goods, allowing them to cross borders. This essential document provides a comprehensive inventory of your imported goods, detailing their nature, value, and final destination.

However, the import declaration is more than just paperwork; it is a formal notification to customs authorities about your intention to bring goods into the country. This crucial step enables customs to enforce import laws and regulations, ensuring that all incoming goods comply with UK legislation. Understanding the import declaration process is key to successful importation. By ensuring your declaration is accurate and complete, you help facilitate a smooth and efficient customs clearance.

 

Non-inventory-linked ports operate through the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), with a process that varies depending on whether the goods are pre-lodged for import.

 

Introduced by HMRC in January 2021, GVMS streamlines the customs clearance process by linking the Movement Reference Numbers (MRNs) for pre-lodged declarations to a single Goods Movement Record (GMR), which includes the vehicle's details. Each GMR is specific to a single crossing by one vehicle and is used to demonstrate that all goods in the shipment have been pre-declared. The haulier only needs to present the GMR at the frontier, ensuring faster and more efficient clearance at non-inventory-linked ports.

 

 

Where is GVMS used?

The Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) is not available at all ports; it is only used at border locations that support pre-lodged customs controls. HMRC has published a list of ports using GVMS.

 

Introduced in January 2021, GVMS was initially used only for transit movements from the EU and for goods moving from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI). It is now in place for imports and exports at GB ports that have chosen to use the service. Border locations receiving goods from the EU into GB can choose between two customs control models: the traditional temporary storage model or the new pre-lodgement model.

How do I use GVMS?

To move goods through GVMS ports, the person or business responsible must first register for GVMS with HMRC. This requires a Government Gateway User ID and a GB EORI number.

 

HMRC has provided a detailed GVMS end-to-end guide to help traders use APIs to connect to the platform. Through the GVMS API, users can:

  • Create a new Goods Movement Record (GMR)
  • Update a GMR (e.g., changing crossing details or adding declaration IDs)
  • Finalise a GMR
  • View their active GMRs
  • Retrieve GMR details
  • Delete a GMR
  • Access GVMS reference data

What do I need for a GVMS import?

When requesting customs clearance for a GVMS import, you will need the following documents:

  • Invoice
  • Packing list
  • Movement Reference Number (MRN)
  • Other transport documents provided by your shipper
  • Port of arrival
  • Truck/Trailer number
  • Commodity codes and country of origin
  • Incoterm agreements
  • Freight costs (if required)
  • Methods of payment (PVA, deferments, cash accounts, immediate payments, etc.)
  • Estimated time of arrival