Guidance: Transporting goods out of the UK under transit: step by step

There are different steps you need to take depending on where the goods are starting and ending their transit movement.

Transporting goods out of Great Britain

If you’re departing from an authorised consignor premises

Before the goods leave

1. Check with your exporter that you have all the documents you need to transport the goods.

2. Get your paper transit accompanying document (TAD), which will include your transit movement reference number. This must stay with you throughout your journey.

3. Get any other customs documentation including export declarations, licences and route information.

While the goods are moving

1. Complete the exit and entry requirements at each customs border, including the port where you’re exiting in Great Britain.

2. Move goods to each office of transit on your transit accompanying document (TAD).

3. Present your TAD and goods at the office of transit.

When the goods arrive

1. Present the transit accompanying document (TAD) and goods to the office of destination or authorised consignee.

2. Wait for the customs authority to clear the goods.

3. Get a receipt for the movement from the office of destination or authorised consignee, if you need one.

If you’re departing from an office of departure

Before the goods leave

1. Check with you exporter that you have all the documents you need to transport the goods.

2. Get any other customs documentation including export declarations, licences and route information.

3. Get your location reference number (LRN) and a master unique consignment reference (if there is one) from the exporter or the declarant.

4. Take the goods to the designated office of departure.

Locations that need an arrived export declaration

If the goods are leaving from a location that needs an export declaration to be submitted as ‘arrived’, you’ll need to:

1. Include all the export declaration references in a goods movement reference, or get a master unique consignment reference (MUCR) from the declarant in writing. You need to be present this at the office of departure.

2. Check the export declaration to see if documentary checks are needed. If they are, customs will tell you what they need. If they are not, follow the Goods Vehicle Movement Service declaration procedure.

3. If the goods are chosen for an inspection, take them to an inland border facility (IBF) or a port’s designated customs facility. You will need to tell the staff at the site that your goods have been chosen for inspection.

At the office of departure

1. Present the goods with the location reference number (LRN) to office of departure.

2. Show either a goods movement reference or a master unique consignment reference (MUCR), if there is one.

3. Get your transit accompanying document (TAD), which will include your transit movement reference number (MRN).

4. Enter your movement reference number (MRN) from the TAD in the goods movement reference, if you’re given a master unique consignment reference (MUCR) by the declarant.

5. Make sure you have a valid goods movement reference for leaving through any of the Goods Vehicle Movement Service locations. If you do not have one, you’ll not be able to leave.

6. Proceed to the port you are leaving from in Great Britain.

While the goods are moving

1. Complete the exit and entry requirements at each customs border including the port you are leaving in Great Britain.

2. Move goods to the office of transit on your transit accompanying document (TAD).

3. Present your TAD and goods at the office of transit.

When the goods arrive

1. Present the transit accompanying document (TAD) and goods to the office of destination or authorised consignee.

2. Wait for customs authority to clear the goods.

3. Get a receipt for the movement from the authorised consignee or office of destination, if you need one.

Transporting goods out of Northern Ireland

If you’re departing from an authorised consignor premises

Before the goods leave

1. Check with your exporter that you have all the documents you need to transport the goods.

2. Get your paper transit accompanying document (TAD) which will include your transit movement reference number (MRN), this must stay with you throughout your journey.

3. Get any other customs documentation including export declarations, licences and route information.

4. Move to the port of exit.

While the goods are moving

1. Complete the exit and entry requirements at each customs border including the port you’re exiting in Northern Ireland.

2. Move goods to each office of transit on your transit accompanying document (TAD).

3. Present your TAD and goods at the office of transit.

When the goods arrive

1. Present the transit accompanying document (TAD) and goods to the office of destination or authorised consignee.

2. Wait for customs authority to clear the goods.

3. Get a receipt for the movement from the authorised consignee, if you need one.

If you’re departing from an office of departure in Northern Ireland

Before the goods leave

1. Check with your exporter that you have all the documents you need to transport the goods.

2. Get your location reference number (LRN) from the exporter.

3. Get any other customs documentation including export declarations, licences and route information.

4. Confirm the exporter has emailed Border Force to notify them of your planned departure.

5. Take the goods to the designated office of departure.

At the office of departure

1. Present goods with location reference number (LRN) to office of departure.

2. Get your transit accompanying document (TAD) which will include your transit movement reference number (MRN).

3. Get a goods movement reference.

4. Proceed to the port you’re exiting in Northern Ireland.

During the transit movement

1. Complete the exit and entry requirements at each customs border including the port you’re exiting in Northern Ireland.

2. Move goods to the office of transit on your transit accompanying document (TAD).

3. Present your TAD and goods at the future office of transit.

When the goods arrive

1. Present the transit accompanying document (TAD) and goods to the office of destination or authorised consignee.

2. Wait for customs authority to clear the goods.

3. Get a receipt for the movement from the office of destination or authorised consignee, if you need one.