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 operate under the UK’s ‘Pre-Lodgement’ customs model.
• Republic of Ireland: Dublin and Rosslare ports operate 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 applicable 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 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 – position from 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 – position from 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

Position from 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 have been subject to staged implementation. Delays to key stages of both customs and Agrifood/SPS processes were announced during 2021 and ROI to GB import processes intended for implementation at 1^st January 2022 and 1^st July 2022 were also placed on hold until further notice (see UK Government announcement here). The current position is as follows:-

Imports to Great Britain from the Republic of Ireland 

Imports to GB – position from 1st January 2021

• GB import customs declarations required; either full/simplified declaration or delayed declaration (using EIDR)
• Holyhead / Fishguard do not have existing import 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

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ADDITIONAL IMPORT PROCEDURE STEPS SCHEDULED FOR 1^ST JANUARY 2022 AND 1^ST JULY 2022  HAVE BEEN DELAYED BY UK GOVERNMENT, PENDING REVIEW. CUSTOMS AND SPS PROCEDURES ALREADY IMPLEMENTED WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 

Exports from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland

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

• Full/Simplified export customs declarations required
• 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
• GB export safety and security (EXS) declaration is required for shipments via RoRo services, that are not covered by a combined export and safety and security declaration, unless 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
  • From 1^st July 2022, a GB EXS is no longer required for empty or return empty packaging shipments.
  • From 1^st July 2022, a GB EXS is no longer required for Merchandise in Baggage shipments.

• 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 Immingham) is 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

Position from 1^st January 2021

• Full Customs, Safety and Security and Agrifood/SPS processes, documentation and checks apply
• A summary of pre-check in information and documentation requirements can be found here.

UK processes

GB border controls have been subject to staged implementation. GB import control processes intended for implementation at 1^st July 2022 have now been placed on hold until further notice (see UK Government announcement here).  The current position is as follows:-

 Imports to Great Britain from the Netherlands

Imports to GB – position from 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; TX’ – UK Import declaration or Empty, ‘PL’ – Pre-lodgement or Empty, ‘EX’ – Transit or Carnet (no import declaration required).
• Unaccompanied (non-transit)/trade unit GB imports via Harwich, Killingholme and Immingham are 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 are 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

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ADDITIONAL IMPORT PROCEDURE STEPS SCHEDULED FOR 1^st July 2022 HAS BEEN DELAYED BY UK GOVERNMENT, PENDING REVIEW. CUSTOMS AND SPS PROCEDURES ALREADY IMPLEMENTED WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Exports from Great Britain to the Netherlands

Exports from GB – position from 1^st January 2022

• Full/Simplified export customs declarations required.
• All (driver accompanied/unaccompanied/trade) GB exports via Harwich / Killingholme / Immingham 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 submitted as ‘Standard’ (not ‘Arrived’); arrivals in CHIEF and P2P status check will be triggered at check in at port of departure.
  • GB export safety and security (EXS) declaration is required for shipments via RoRo services that are not covered by a combined export and safety and security declaration, unless excluded from EXS requirements.
    • ‘Standard’ EXS (IEXS) to be used for GB exports through Harwich / Killingholme / Immingham
    • Note that EXS –unless covered below – 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. Customers update Stena Line booking system (in the ExportID field) with EXS UCR
      • From 1^st July 2022 a GB EXS is no longer required for empty or return empty packaging shipments ex GB (customers enter code ‘NOEXS’ in Stena Line booking system UCR field).
      • From 1^st July 2022 a GB EXS is no longer required for Merchandise in Baggage shipments ex GB (customers enter code ‘NOEXS’ in Stena Line booking system UCR field).
      • For ATA Carnet and military movements, a UCR is not required (customers enter code ‘NOEXS’ in Stena Line booking system UCR field)