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Guidance

Apply for authorised consignor or consignee status

How to apply to become an authorised consignor or consignee, and get authorised for other transit simplifications.

Updates to this page

From:
HM Revenue & Customs
Published:
4 April 2014
Last updated:
20 June 2025
Show all updates

  1. The contact details in the 'What to do now' section on forms C1343, C1343a, C1343b, C1343c have been updated.

  2. A new section, ‘After you apply’ has been added.

  3. Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343) has been updated.

  4. Information has been added explaining you can also use the Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343) to apply to use your own seals.

  5. Guidance on adding a location to an existing authorisation has been moved to 'Apply to add a location to a consignor or consignee authorisation'.

  6. If you're applying for authorised consignee status, your approved temporary storage location can now be either an external temporary storage facility, or an authorised consignee temporary storage facility. Forms C1343, C1343a, C1343b, C1343c, C1343d have also been updated to reflect you can now operate an authorised consignee temporary storage facility. The guidance has also been updated about applying for authorised consignor status, and what will happen after you’ve applied for either status.

  7. You cannot use the online service to apply for transit simplifications, consignor or consignee status, and new temporary storage rules for authorised consignees have been delayed. We'll publish updated guidance in due course.

  8. Information about new temporary storage rules for authorised consignees that will apply from April 2022 has been updated.

  9. Information about new temporary storage rules for authorised consignees has been added.

  10. Form C1343 has been updated.

  11. New information about checking for additional forms which may be needed has been added to the 'How to apply' section.

  12. This page has been updated because the Brexit transition period has ended.

  13. First published.

You should check if you can use your premises to start or end transit movements.

Who can apply

If you move goods regularly using transit, you can apply for authorised consignor and authorised consignee status.

What you’ll need

You’ll need:

  • to be established in one of the Common Transit Convention countries
  • your EORI number
  • your VAT registration number
  • the name and date of birth of the nominated person in your organisation who will account for your company’s compliance with customs regulations
  • details of any offences committed against customs or tax legislation in the UK or any other countries
  • details of the customs and IT systems used to control the movement of goods under transit, and the accompanying record keeping systems for these movements

In most cases you’ll also need to provide:

  • the date you started using the transit procedure
  • the number of operations you carry out each year

If you use a transport carrier or intermediary bound to a carrier

You must send HMRC copies of your contracts or other evidence of the contractual relationship. You should include these documents when you apply.

You must also include a hard copy specimen of your manifest if you’re:

  • going to use the simplified procedure for air or sea traffic — either the paper manifest or the electronic transport document
  • using consignor or consignee status in Northern Ireland and bringing your goods in by sea

Check which forms you need

You may need to complete more than one form to make an application.

You can apply for both authorised consignor and consignee status at the same time.

Authorised consignor applications

You must complete:

  1. Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343)
  2. Consignor questionnaire (C1343a)

Authorised consignee applications

You must complete:

  1. Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343)
  2. Consignee questionnaire (C1343b)

Applying for Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) status as an authorised consignee

You must complete:

  1. Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343)
  2. Consignee questionnaire (C1343c)

Other simplifications you can apply for

Find out more about other simplifications you can apply for at the same time as consignor or consignee status.

Apply to use your own seals

You can also use the Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343) to apply to use your own seals. You should include any supporting evidence.

How to apply

You need to:

  1. Download and save the forms you need on your computer.

  2. Open them using the the latest free version of Adobe Reader.

  3. Complete them on-screen.

  4. Send the completed forms, with any additional paperwork, to the address shown on the application form.

Read the accessibility statement for HMRC forms.

Email HMRC to ask for these forms in Welsh.

Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343)

PDF, 865 KB, 9 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Consignor questionnaire (C1343a)

PDF, 691 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Consignee questionnaire (C1343b)

PDF, 824 KB, 9 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Consignee TIR questionnaire (C1343c)

PDF, 708 KB, 4 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

The form may not work if you try to open it in your internet browser. If the form does not open, contact online services support for more help.

If you’re applying as a rail freight operator

You can find guidance in the Transit Manual Supplement on:

  • the paper manifest procedure
  • how to apply to the Central Community Transit Office

If you’re applying as a pipeline operator

Contact your HMRC Customer Compliance Manager, if you want to use the simplification for fixed transport operations.

After you apply

You’ll receive a letter telling you if we’ve approved your application or not. If you do not get approval, the letter explains the reasons why and tells you about the review and appeals procedure.

Help and support

You can find out more about authorised consignor and consignee status in the Transit Manual Supplement.

If you have a question about authorised consignor or consignee status and cannot find an answer in GOV.UK guidance, you can email: nationalsimplifications.ccto@hmrc.gov.uk.

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