Brexit Customs information

• The governments on both sides of the Irish Sea have developed customs models that are designed to preserve, as far as possible, the free flow of fast moving RoRo traffic through ports.
• UK: All Irish Sea routes to/from UK will operate under the UK’s ‘Pre-Lodgement’ customs model.
• Republic of Ireland: Dublin and Rosslare ports are already operating under the ‘Pre-Boarding Notification’ rules within the Republic of Ireland ‘Customs Roll-on Roll-off Service’.
• The core requirement under both of these models is that all necessary declarations – export and import, including safety and security – will need to be completed prior to check in at the port of departure, without exception.
• These models will each generate a single ‘envelope ID’ reference number that will be used at check in to validate that all declarations have been completed.
• Ferry bookings will need to be updated with the Goods Movement Reference number (GMR) from the UK Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), and the ROI Pre-Boarding Notification reference number (PBN) from the Customs Roll-On Roll-Off Service – as appropriate, according to shipping route – before check in can take place. Without the relevant references against a booking, you will not be able to check in or enter the port / drop a trailer.

Timelines (the process notes below are for guidance – please ensure you have checked and are compliant with official requirements from all authorities / state agencies)

Imports to Northern Ireland from Great Britain

Imports to NI – 1^st January 2021

• NI import processes apply, including Simplified Frontier Declaration import declarations and ENS Safety and Security declarations. Full implementation of Customs and Agrifood/SPS processes is currently under ‘Standstill’ arrangements, awaiting clarification
  • Note that ENS to be completed by haulier for driver accompanied AND unaccompanied movements, under Stena Line terms and conditions
• A GMR including NI import customs declaration MRNs and ENS Safety and Security MRNs must be added into Stena Line booking system prior to arrival for check in at GB port for all GB to NI freight shipments
• There are no GB export requirements for GB to NI movements

Exports from Northern Ireland to Great Britain

Exports from NI – 1^st January 2021

• NI export processes apply only to a small set of movements that do not qualify for unfettered access from NI to GB, such as Controlled goods, indirect ROI/EU to GB imports via NI, and transit movements from NI to the Continent. A GMR is currently only needed for these movements – this must be added into Stena Line booking system prior to arrival for check in at Belfast
• Further clarification of NI to GB unfettered access arrangements is expected during 2022

ROI processes

1^st January 2021

• Full Customs, Safety and Security and Agrifood/SPS processes, documentation and checks apply
  • A PBN including both customs (or transit) declaration MRNs and Safety and Security MRNs is required for both ROI import and export freight shipments. The PBN must be added to Stena Line booking system prior to arrival for check in at the port of departure
• Documentary, identity and physical checks on Agrifood/SPS products and live animals take place at Border Control Post (BCP) at Dublin/Rosslare

UK processes

GB border controls are subject to staged implementation (see UK Border Operating Model for information – update expected November ’21). Delays to key stages of both customs and Agrifood/SPS processes have been announced during 2021. The current position (at November ’21) is as follows:-

Imports to Great Britain from the Republic of Ireland – PLEASE NOTE DELAY TO 1^ST JANUARY 2022 IMPORT TO GB PROCEDURES, BELOW

Imports to GB – 1st January 2021

• GB import customs declarations required; either full/simplified declaration or delayed declaration (using EIDR)
• Holyhead / Fishguard do not have existing customs control systems in place at this time – the Trader’s GB EORI must accompany the goods
• Transit movements entering GB; a GMR (including TAD MRNs) must be added into Stena Line booking system prior to arrival for check in at ROI port in order for the Office of Transit function to take place
• There is NO GB import safety and security (ENS) requirement at this time

Imports to GB – 1^st January 2022

AS AT 15^TH DECEMBER 2021, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE ADDITIONAL IMPORT PROCEDURES HAS BEEN DELAYED BY UK GOVERNMENT. CUSTOMS AND SPS PROCEDURES APPLYING DURING 2021 WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. GB TO IRELAND EXPORT PROCEDURES AND IMPORT PROCEDURES TO GB IN ALL OTHER SEA AREAS, APPLICABLE AT 1^ST JANUARY 2022 WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY IN FULL

• Delayed customs declarations no longer available; Full/Simplified declarations will be required
• GVMS ‘live’ as customs control system at Holyhead / Fishguard
• GMR (containing MRNs for all import declarations and/or Transit TAD or Carnet MRNs) must be added into Stena Line booking system prior to arrival for check in at ROI port for ALL freight shipments entering GB
• There is NO GB import safety and security (ENS) requirement at this time
• Pre-notification required of imports of Agrifood/SPS products. Checks take place away from border

Imports to GB – 1^st July 2022

• Customs declaration / transit processes continue (GMR required for ALL GB import freight shipments)
• GB import safety and security (ENS) declaration NOW REQUIRED.
  • Note that ENS to be completed by haulier for driver accompanied AND unaccompanied movements, under Stena Line terms and conditions
• GMR must contain ENS MRN in addition to customs/Transit declaration MRNs
• Export Health Certificates, Phytosanitary Certificates (and other product specific certification) required to support Agrifood/SPS product imports
• Documentary, identity and physical checks on Agrifood/SPS products and live animals take place at Border Control Post (BCP) / Inland Border Facility (IBF). If facilities are not fully available by 1/7/22, interim arrangements will be implemented to maintain flow of these products through Holyhead/Fishguard

Exports from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland

Exports from GB – 1^st January 2021

• Full/Simplified export customs declarations required.
• Holyhead/Fishguard do not have existing customs control systems in place at this time – GB export declarations to be submitted as ‘Arrived’ via both ports and driver to carry copy of customs documentation
• There is NO separate GB export safety and security (EXS) requirement at this time, via RoRo services

Exports from GB – 1^st October 2021

• GB export safety and security (EXS) declaration NOW REQUIRED for shipments via RoRo services, not covered by a combined export and safety and security declaration (including empty, return packaging and some Transit shipments), or excluded from EXS requirements.
  • Note that EXS to be completed by haulier for driver accompanied AND unaccompanied movements, under Stena Line terms and conditions, at least 2 hours prior to vessel departure
  • ‘Arrived’ EXS to be used for exports through Holyhead/Fishguard

Exports from GB – 1st January 2022 – APPLICABLE IN FULL, NOT AFFECTED BY DELAY TO IMPORT PROCEDURES

• GVMS ‘live’ as customs control system at Holyhead / Fishguard
• GMR (containing MRNs for all GB export declarations and/or Transit TAD or Carnet MRNs, plus any separate EXS MRNs) must be added into Stena Line booking system prior to arrival for check in at GB port for ALL freight shipments exiting GB
• GB export declarations to be submitted as ‘Arrived’ for exports through Holyhead and Fishguard. Permission to Progress (P2P) status must be checked with declarant and GVMS prior to arrival at port for check in (it will not be possible to check in until P2P is granted). If called for inspection, report to IBF at Parc Cybi, Holyhead / Border Force at Fishguard Port, to secure P2P prior to checking in
• Standalone EXS’s continue to be submitted as ‘Arrived’ for both Holyhead and Fishguard

• The Netherlands: Customs processes at Hoek van Holland and Rotterdam are already handled via the Portbase port community system. Further information is available here & here
• UK: The customs model for Stena Line’s services through Great Britain ports on the North Sea (Harwich, Killingholme and, from 1/1/22, Immingham) will be a mixed model based on Temporary Storage import process via the Destin8 inventory system, OR Pre-Lodged import declarations via GVMS, for unaccompanied imports and with Pre-Lodged import declarations for all driver accompanied and transit movements via GVMS (through Destin8). All export movements will be controlled via Destin8.

Timelines (the process notes below are for guidance – please ensure you have checked and are compliant with official requirements from all authorities / state agencies)

NL processes

1^st January 2021

• Full Customs, Safety and Security and Agrifood/SPS processes, documentation and checks apply

UK processes

GB border controls are subject to staged implementation (see UK Border Operating Model for information – update expected November ’21). Delays to key stages of both customs and Agrifood/SPS processes have been announced during 2021. The current position (at November ’21) is as follows:-

 Imports to Great Britain from the Netherlands

Imports to GB – 1st January 2021

• GB import customs declarations required; either full/simplified declaration or delayed declaration (using EIDR)
• Stena Line services to Harwich / Killingholme do not have existing customs control systems in place at this time – the Trader’s GB EORI must accompany the goods
• Stena Line booking system must be updated by selecting delayed or non-delayed GB import procedure
• Transit movements entering GB; a GMR (including TAD MRNs) must be added into Stena Line booking system prior to arrival for check in at NL port in order for the Office of Transit function to take place
• There is NO GB import safety and security (ENS) requirement at this time

Imports to GB – 1^st January 2022

• Delayed customs declarations no longer available; Full/Simplified declarations will be required.
• Stena Line booking system must be updated by selecting the relevant UK Customs procedure; import (non-delayed), Transit (office of destination at port), Transit (office of transit).
• Unaccompanied (non-transit)/trade unit GB imports via Harwich, Killingholme and Immingham will be custom-controlled under Temporary Storage arrangements via Destin8 inventory system
  • Consignment details must be entered to Stena booking system
• Alternatively, Unaccompanied (non-transit)/trade unit GB imports via Harwich, Killingholme and Immingham can be custom-controlled via GVMS, with Pre-Lodgement of import declarations
  • GMR (containing MRNs for all import declarations) must be added into Stena Line booking system prior to arrival for check in at NL port
• All driver accompanied and all Transit GB imports via Harwich, Killingholme and Immingham require Pre-Lodgement prior to departure from Holland and will be custom-controlled via GVMS
  • GMR (containing MRNs for all import declarations and/or Transit TAD or Carnet MRNs) must be added into Stena Line booking system prior to arrival for check in at NL port for ALL driver accompanied and transit imports entering GB
  • If an empty import movement, the relevant GMR should be created to cover this
• There is NO GB import safety and security (ENS) requirement at this time
• Pre-notification to authorities required of imports of Agrifood/SPS products. Checks take place away from border

Imports to GB – 1^st July 2022

• Customs declaration / transit / Stena Line booking system processes continue as described above
• GB import safety and security (ENS) declaration NOW REQUIRED.
• For unaccompanied (non-transit) and Trade GB imports custom-controlled through Temporary Storage/inventory via Harwich, Killingholme and Immingham, the ENS will be created by Stena Line based on consignment details entered to Stena Line booking system by customer
• For driver accompanied and all Transit GB imports as well as any unaccompanied/trade movements customs controlled through GVMS via Harwich, Killingholme and Immingham, the ENS must be created by the haulier
  • GMR (containing ENS MRN in addition to Customs/Transit declaration MRNs) must be presented by time of check in at the NL port
• Export Health Certificates, Phytosanitary Certificates (and other product specific certification) required by authorities to support Agrifood/SPS product imports
• Documentary, identity and physical checks on Agrifood/SPS products and live animals take place at Border Control Post (BCP)

Exports from Great Britain to the Netherlands

Exports from GB – 1^st January 2021

• Full/Simplified export customs declarations required.
• Stena Line services from Harwich / Killingholme do not have existing customs control systems in place at this time – GB export declarations to be submitted as ‘Arrived’ via both ports and driver to carry copy of customs documentation
• There is NO standalone GB export safety and security (EXS) requirement at this time, via RoRo services

Exports from GB – 1^st October 2021

• GB export safety and security (EXS) declaration NOW REQUIRED for shipments via RoRo services that are not covered by a combined export and safety and security declaration (including empty, return packaging and some Transit shipments), or are excluded from EXS requirements.
  • ‘Arrived’ EXS to be used until 30/11/21 for exports through Harwich / Killingholme
  • Note that EXS – other than for empty or return packaging movements – to be completed by haulier for driver accompanied AND unaccompanied movements, under Stena Line terms and conditions, at least 2 hours prior to vessel departure
  • However, initially, Stena Line will automatically create EXS for all empty and return packaging movements ex Harwich / Killingholme (see below)

Exports from GB – 14^th December 2021 (PLEASE NOTE UPDATED ADVICE REGARDING EXPORT DECLARATION TYPE APPLICABLE FROM THIS DATE)

• All (driver accompanied/unaccompanied/trade) GB exports via Harwich / Killingholme will be customs controlled via Destin8 inventory system
  • GB export declaration DUCR or MUCR (for groupage) to be added to Stena Line booking system (export ID ) prior to check in at port of departure
  • GB export declarations no longer submitted as ‘Arrived’ from this date – ‘Standard’ export declaration arrivals in CHIEF and P2P status check will be triggered at check in at port of departure.
• ‘Standard’ EXS (IEXS) to be used from 14/12/21 for GB exports through Harwich / Killingholme
  • Note that EXS – other than for empty or return packaging movements – to be completed by haulier for driver accompanied AND unaccompanied movements, under Stena Line terms and conditions, at least 2 hours prior to vessel departure. Customer to update Stena Line booking system (in the ExportID field) with EXS UCR
  • From 14/12/21, Stena Line will automatically create EXS for all empty and return packaging movements ex Harwich / Killingholme, UNLESS the customer adds EXS UCR to Stena Line booking system for driver accompanied empty/return packaging exports, OR confirms in Stena Line booking system that no is required for empty / returned packaging driver accompanied exports that are not subject to a transport contract (using code ‘NOEXS’)

Exports from GB – 1^st January 2022

• As described above, all GB exports via Harwich / Killingholme and (from 1/1/22) Immingham, will be customs controlled via Destin8 inventory system. Stena Line will not use GVMS to control any GB exports from these East coast ports (GVMS WILL be used for driver accompanied and transit import controls – see GB import notes above)
  • GB export processes continue as set out above under ‘Exports from GB – 14^th December 2021’.