By using common and Union Transit, you can move your goods quicker to EU countries and common transit countries because:

• you do not require customs declarations and duties at each border crossing
• you can complete some customs processes away from the border

If you have not already, check if using common or transit is right for you.

If you want someone to deal with customs for you

If you want someone to deal with customs for you, you must give written permission for them to do this first. This is known as getting a customs agent.

Depending on the agreement with your customs agent, you may need to do some customs processes yourself.

If you’re using a customs agent, check with them if you need to do anything else.

If you’re doing customs processes yourself

You’ll need:

• an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number, you will need to apply for an EORI if you do not have one
• a guarantee to cover duties suspended on your goods while they are being moved
• to register for the New Computerised Transit System to make transit declarations
• to register for the National Export System if the goods are being exported outside the EU
• to choose which UK office of departure (a customs office) you want to start moving your goods from – this is where you present your goods with all documentation

You should also consider whether to apply for authorised consignor status. This will allow you to start transit movements at your own UK premises, instead of needing to present your goods and documentation at an office of departure.

What you need to do next

You need to plan your route before moving your goods using transit.

If you already know the route you intend to use, find out what steps you need to take to move your goods out of the UK to the EU or common transit countries using transit.

From 1 January 2021

If your transit movement is starting in Great Britain

If you do not get someone to deal with customs for you then you will need to register for the National Export System if you are exporting goods that are made in Great Britain or have UK duties paid on them. This will include transit movements ending anywhere outside of the UK, including in the EU.

You will also need to submit your transit declaration for movements starting in Great Britain, you will need to access the GB NCTS system. You can read Community, Common Transit and TIR: newsletters for updates and changes to NCTS.

If you are established in Great Britain, including if you have any authorised consignor location in Great Britain, you will also need:

• to get an EORI number starting with GB
• a guarantee reference number starting with GB registered to your GB EORI number

If your transit movement is starting in Northern Ireland

If you do not get someone to deal with customs for you then you will need to register for the National Export System if you are exporting goods made in the EU or Northern Ireland, or have EU or Northern Ireland duties paid on them. This will include transit movements ending anywhere outside of Northern Ireland or the EU.

You will also need to submit your transit declaration for movements starting in Northern Ireland using the XI NCTS system. You can make a transit declaration using either:

• XML
• the EDIFACT email channel

You can read Community, Common Transit and TIR: newsletters for updates and changes to NCTS.

If you are established in Northern Ireland, including if you have any authorised consignor location in Northern Ireland, you will also need to get:

• an EORI number starting with XI
• a guarantee reference number starting with XI registered to an XI EORI number