October 2023 — NCTS Phase 5: Change of implementation date
Updated 5 December 2024
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If you’re a New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) user who moves goods using transit, read this important information. If you represent an NCTS user, make them aware of this update.
Change to the implementation date
The Common Transit Convention (CTC) authority have announced that there will be an extended transition period for the move to New Computerised Transit System Phase 5 (NCTS5) after a number of other countries confirmed they require more time. We have subsequently received a number of formal submissions from industry requesting the UK makes use of this extension.
We have considered these submissions carefully and have decided to extend the deadline based on your views and feedback. We are writing to you now to confirm that the new date for implementing NCTS5 in the UK will be 1 July 2024.
We recognise the work that has taken place across industry to prepare for the original implementation date of 16 November 2023. However, from listening to the views of stakeholders it is clear that there is now strong support for a later implementation date, to give industry additional time to prepare.
We have liaised with industry stakeholders to ensure the new implementation date is achievable and have avoided peak periods and other key Government project delivery dates. We have advised the Taxation and Customs Union (TAXUD) and the CTC of the new implementation date.
What happens now
You should continue to use the current NCTS system until the transfer to NCTS5 on 1 July 2024.
The HMRC Trader Test environment remains open and will be switched into Transitional mode on 11 October 2023, as planned. Those who are building software should continue with development and testing to align with the revised implementation date.
We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to support their preparations and will continue to issue regular email updates about NCTS5.