Larne - Cairnryan

1 January 2022 update

1. No change to existing rules
2. No GMR required for non-transit GB imports from the island of Ireland until further notice. A GMR is still required for transit moves.
3. No need for IPAFFS for non-transit GB imports from the island of Ireland until further notice

The government has confirmed that current customs arrangements for goods moving from Ireland and Northern Ireland to Great Britain will be extended for as long as discussions between the UK and EU on the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) are ongoing. This temporary extension avoids any disruption while discussions with the EU over the operation of the NIP take place.

For goods moving between the EU and Northern Ireland, the current arrangements under the NIP continue to apply.

Moving goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain should take place as it did pre-Brexit. There will be a very limited range of exceptions to this unfettered access policy. These will apply only in specific instances where goods movements require bespoke processes - such as to take account of binding international obligations, for example the movement of endangered species. In these cases, the relevant trade for which the procedures apply is extremely limited. 

For goods requiring declarations or moving under special procedures such as transit, customers should submit appropriate declarations and populate their GMR with the resulting reference numbers. More information can be found here.

You can use BEEMS Pre-lodgement to obtain your GMR. It is a purpose-built online product, which you will find on our parent company, DP World’s, CARGOES Community platform. The easy to use tool connects direct to the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) and offers users real-time status updates and notifications on your GMR.

Alternatively you can use the UK government’s free (GVMS) system to create a GMR.

Initial Steps

• Register for an EORI number - here
• Decide who will handle customs declarations or hire someone to do it - here
• Depending on the type of goods you may need to submit additional information about your booking, consignment and goods.
• You or your delegate must pre-lodge declarations for goods requiring these or moving under special procedures such as transit. (Customers should populate their GMR with the resulting reference numbers).
• If your vehicle contains high-risk animal or plant products, you should ensure that the driver has the necessary health certificate(s). From 1 July 2022, any animal or plant products must have the necessary health certificate(s). 

There are some very limited exceptions where Export Declarations will be required for goods moving directly from Northern Ireland to Great Britain (declared into the Customs Declaration Service from 16 May 2021). These are; if the goods are under a Customs Special Procedure in Northern Ireland, in an authorised temporary storage facility, or on a list of goods for which specific processes apply based on specific international obligations. You can find a list of these goods here.

Action for Declarants

In almost all instances Export Declarations are not required when moving goods from NI to GB.

If as per the link above you are exporting goods from NI to GB under a Customs Special Procedure in Northern Ireland, in an authorised temporary storage facility, or on a list of goods for which specific processes apply based on specific international obligations, then you must ensure “pre-lodged” Export Declarations are made in CDS and provide the Haulier moving the goods with the following information to enable them to fulfil a Goods Movement Reference (GMR): Declaration Unique Consignment Reference (DUCR) – this will be generated by CDS

• Any necessary licences/permits for moving the goods

If you are moving goods under Common Transit Convention only the Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) and TAD MRN needs to be provided to the Hauliers. If you are unsure whether you need to submit a Customs Declaration for Exports – please refer to the link here.

Please note that to help with Declarations being made, you can register for the Trader Support Service (TSS). The free-to-use TSS supports all businesses when moving goods between NI-GB. Register here.

The TSS can complete Export Declarations on your behalf provided it is given the necessary information and your customers have also registered with TSS. You can access training courses and how-to guides through the TSS education portal and access the dedicated contact centre for additional support.

Action for Hauliers

If the Declarant (the party responsible for completing Customs Declarations – who may be your customer) requests you to move goods from NI to GB that are under a Customs Special Procedure in Northern Ireland, in an authorised temporary storage facility, or on a list of goods for which specific processes apply based on specific international obligations, they must provide you with a valid Declaration Unique Consignment Reference (DUCR) and any necessary licences/permits. If you are unsure – check with the declarant.

The DUCR is required as part of a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) when using Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS).

Please note that any goods moved as described will require “pre-lodgement” via CDS and it is the responsibility of the Haulier to ensure a GMR is completed - you will not be allowed to board any ferries without a valid GMR.

Please note, if you are moving goods under the Common Transit Convention, and the Declarant has provided you with a Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) MRN you should continue to include this information in your GMR.

Before arrival at Larne

Exports from Northern Ireland to Great Britain receive export clearance in Northern Ireland for goods requiring declarations or moving under special procedures such as transit and must be pre-declared for importation into the UK with a GMR (Goods Movement Reference). 

Goods moving under the transit procedure must be accompanied by a Transit Accompanying Document (TAD), which can be printed out at the customs office of departure or any printer that can accommodate barcodes. The Transit declaration should be digitally placed within the GMR on the Goods and Vehicle Movement System (GVMS). 

Drivers must have all the relevant documentation before reaching the port or their goods will not be able to enter the terminal. P&O Ferries will not be able to process emails containing customs information at check-in.

At check-in in Larne

Drivers of all loaded trailers with goods requiring declarations or moving under special procedures such as transit must present GMR to our check-in staff on arrival. 

The action required at Port of Larne is dependent upon the type of goods you are moving:

1. If you are moving goods from NI to GB that are under a Customs Special Procedure in Northern Ireland or in an authorised temporary storage facility: then you must report straight to our check-in at the Port of Larne.
2. If alternatively, you are moving any goods from NI to GB where specific processes apply based on specific international obligations i.e.:

• Endangered Species
• Fluorinated Gas
• Hazardous Chemicals
• Persistent Organic Pollutants
• Drug Precursor Chemicals
• Mercury and Mercury Added Products
• Rough Diamonds
• Genetically Modified Organisms
• Firearms
• Atlantic Tuna
• Dissostichus Spp (Toothfish)
• Torture Goods

• At the Port of Larne check-in you must present your Goods Movement Reference and tell our check-in staff that you are carrying goods for which specific processes apply based on specific international obligations (see point 2 above)
• Our check-in operator will then confirm whether you can proceed and board the vessel or alternatively if a check is required
• If a check is required, you must attend the DAERA facility onsite at the Port of Larne for inspection – you must present the Declaration Unique Consignment Reference (DUCR) provided by the declarant plus the necessary evidence/certificates/permits confirming you can move the goods – these will be inspected by Border Force officials
• After checks have been completed, Border Force officials will either provide “Permission to Progress” to board the vessel or alternatively will advise on what corrective action needs to be taken.

Drivers of empty trailers and with standard loads should complete our standard check-in process (before 1 January 2021) including border exit checks and move to the loading lanes in preparation to board the vessel (accompanied) or take the trailer where instructed within the yard (unaccompanied).

P&O Ferries will validate the GMR in GVMS, confirming checked in crossing details and Vehicle/Trailer Registration Numbers (VRN/TRNs) match the details included in GMR.

During Crossing

Customers using BEEMS Pre-lodgement can view the status of the GMR through the tool and users will be sent status notifications by (via SMS and Email). This will indicate if Goods require an inspection at arrival.

Customers using GVMS can view the status of the GMR via the gov.uk service.

Vehicles/units without a release note will not be able to leave the terminal.

On Arrival in Cairnryan

If the driver has been notified an inspection is required the driver should follow signage to the inspection facilities, which may be performed in-land.

If you are unsure and you would like some further guidance post Brexit, check out our Brexit FAQs.