Excise movement and control system — service availability and issues
Updated 26 February 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/excise-movement-and-control-system-emcs-service-availability-and-issues/emcs-service-availability-and-issues
Service availability
If you’re trying to create, sign in or reset your user ID or password, check for known problems with Government Gateway.
Sign in to excise movement and control system (EMCS).
Planned downtime
None.
Service issues
EMCS movements from Northern Ireland to Italy
The technical issue preventing excise goods movements from Northern Ireland being visible on the Italian Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) has undergone a successful temporary fix.
Movements are now visible and Italian consignees have begun receipting these movements with a report of receipt.
Future excise goods movements from Northern Ireland to Italy will also be visible on the Italian EMCS.
Whilst this temporary fix has resolved this issue, we are continuing to work on introducing a permanent fix.
Historic messages
We are aware there is an issue with some traders receiving historic messages the first time they call for messages on the new EMCS service. This issue should only occur on the first attempt.
If you continue to experience this issue, contact the helpdesk.
Customs Declaration Service requesting an EMCS administrative reference code
The Customs Declaration Service is requesting an EMCS administrative reference code on import declarations where goods are being declared to excise duty suspension.
As the administrative reference code may only be generated after the customs declaration has cleared, it will not always be possible to provide this information at the time you are making the import declaration.
If you cannot provide an administrative reference code, you should declare:
- document code: C651
- document status code: UE
- text ‘Not Applicable’
HMRC will arrange for this issue to be addressed as soon as possible through the Customs Declaration Service validation rules.
Other issues
If you need help with anything not listed here, contact Excise Movement and Control System: general enquiries.
Other services
Check availability and issues for other services.