Moving goods through customs during the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out about changes to customers border processes, moving goods and clearing customs during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Border functions and social distancing
To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we have temporarily changed customs border processes. This includes transit and export procedures.
This guidance will be updated when this change ends.
Exchanging transit and export documents
Traders, their agents and Border Force staff should exchange documents electronically. This can be by:
- fax
- digital photograph
The information must be legible. You do not need to print documents received in an electronic format.
Documents required by customs officials in EU member states must travel with the goods as a hard copy. These include:
- Transit Accompanying Documents
- proof of union status
- Carnet documents
You should get documents requiring a wet stamp in the usual way, unless you have agreed alternate procedures.
You must provide hard copies of licenses and other documents to the appropriate importer or exporter, by post if necessary. These should be retained in the normal way.
Export Approvals
Traders may apply for permission to extend that authorisation to additional locations, if they are authorised to use:
- Designated Export Places
- Customs Supervised Exports
- Local Clearance Procedures
This will allow you to request ‘permission to progress’ without first needing the goods to be located at the premises set out in your approval.
To apply, email nesauthorisations@hmrc.gov.uk. You should explain how the extension will enable you to reduce levels of physical contact. Large businesses should also provide the name of their Customer Compliance Manager.
If HMRC accept your request, you’ll be told the correct process to follow.
Transit movements starting at an office of departure
Email or telephone procedures already in place at offices of departure will continue without change.
Where traders normally enter goods to the transit procedure by presenting documents over a counter at an office of departure, traders may now request the release of the goods by contacting the relevant office.
Union goods must be at the office of departure before release to the transit procedure is requested. Non-union goods can continue to be released from approved places, such as customs warehouses.
You must provide Border Force with the:
- declarant’s name and EORI number
- local reference number of the transit declaration
- office of departure referred to in the transit declaration and confirmation that goods are on site
- master reference number of the export declaration, if needed
- email address to which the electronic Transit Accompanying Document and master reference number should be sent
A suggested is available.
You must not start the outward journey until you’ve received an email from Border Force with the Transit Accompanying Document and master reference number.
Before permission to progress is granted, you may need to:
- provide further information in order to complete documentary checks
- present the goods to a customs office
Transit movements starting at an authorised consignor
Authorised consignors may apply for permission to extend that authorisation to additional locations.
To apply, email national-simplifications.ccto@hmrc.gov.uk or the appropriate Border Force office. You should explain how the extension will enable you to reduce levels of physical contact. Large businesses should also provide the name of their Customer Compliance Manager.
If you need permission to progress for export declarations, you can request this at the same time.
If HMRC accept your request, you’ll be told the correct process to follow.
Transit movements ending at an office of destination
Email or telephone procedures already in place at offices of departure will continue without change.
Traders can now request the release of goods from the transit procedure by contacting the appropriate office after the goods have arrived.
You must provide Border Force with:
- the declarant’s name and EORI number.
- the master reference number of the transit declaration
- inventory reference from temporary storage facility
- the entry number or master reference number of subsequent customs procedure, if applicable
- confirmation that any seals listed on the transit declaration are intact
A suggested is available.
Goods should not be unloaded until Border Force have provided permission. Traders must immediately report any discrepancies between the goods and the transit declaration to the same Border Force email address.
Transit movements ending at an authorised consignee
Authorised consignees must continue to follow their normal processes but may communicate and exchange documents with Border Force by telephone, fax or email. Goods must be at their approved premises before they request permission to unload.
List of Border Force offices
GB000011, Birmingham Airport
Telephone: 0121 781 7850
Email: bhxfreightteam.detcentral@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
GB000029, UKBF, Bristol International Airport
Telephone: 01275 473 123
Mobile: 07920 568 613
Email: BristolAirportinternationalTrade2@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000047, Ramsgate
Telephone: 03000 515 831
Email: doverinternationaltrade@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000051, Felixstowe
Telephone: 01394 303 023, 01394 303 024, 01394 303 026
Email: FelixstoweITTransit@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000060, Dover
Telephone: 03000 515 831
Email: doverinternationaltrade@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000067, Scotland Frontier, Paisley
Telephone: 0141 847 4855
Email: GLAFreightTeam@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
GB000072, Hull
Telephone: 01482 785 861
Email: hull.int.trade@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000074, Immingham
Telephone: 01469 553 732
Email: BFIMM-IntTrade@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
GB000080, Liverpool, Seaforth S2 Berth
Telephone: 0151 934 1212, 0151 934 1219, 0151 934 1226, 0151 934 1229
Email: seaforth.liverpool@homeofficei.gov.uk, seaforths2customs@hmrc.gov.uk
GB000084, London Heathrow Cargo
Telephone: 0203 3014 5601
Email: FPT@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000085, London Gatwick Airport Cargo Dist.
Telephone: 01293 501 032
Mobile: 07795 391 574
Email: borderforcesouthcargogatwick@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000087, Leeds Bradford
Telephone: 01469 553 732
Email: bfimm-inttrade@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
GB000093, Tilbury
Telephone: 01375 853 228
Email: thames.gateway@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
GB000102, Luton Airport FCT
Telephone: 01582 817 900, 07802 637 192
GB000120, London Heathrow Airport, baggage
Telephone: 0203 3014 5601
Email: FPT@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000121, Stansted Airport FCT
Telephone: 01279 665 825
GB000122, Cardiff International Airport
Telephone: 01446 712 920
Email: leit.cardiff@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000124, Holyhead
Email: National-Simplifications@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
GB000126, Pembroke Dock
Telephone: 01646 623 023
Email: leit.pembroke@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000142, Belfast Docks,Unit 2 Block C
Telephone: 02896 931 537
Email: bfportteam@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000155, Reading
Telephone: 03000 544 419
GB000170, London Gateway Port
Telephone: 01375 654 835
Email: london.gateway@homeoffice.gov.uk
GB000191, Manchester
Telephone: 0161 261 5720, 0161 261 5721
Mobile: 07802 270 827, 07802 600 442
GB0000219, Teesport
Telephone: 01642 446 209
Email: BFTeesportfreight@homeoffice.gov.uk
Changes to the way you operate
Exports less than €3000 in value
If you have a consignment that is less than €3000 in value and is not subject to prohibitions or restrictions this can be declared for export in the UK even if the exporter is established in another EU member state. You must complete a customs declaration for these goods.
If the export is to be conducted under simplified procedures, you must contact your supervising office.
Delays during transit of your goods
If you are transporting goods, the expected journey time entered on a transit declaration can reflect anticipated delays. The New Computerised Transit System will accept journey times of up to 14 days.
Completing supplementary declarations
If you’re unable to accurately calculate your supplementary declaration by your due date as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19), you may submit an estimated figure. If your declaration includes an amount of Excise duty, you must submit a supplementary declaration as normal.
How to submit an estimated figure
To submit an estimated figure you must email Cfsp_cope@hmrc.gov.uk and provide the following:
- company name
- EORI number
- deferment account number
- estimated customs duty amount owed
- estimated VAT owed
- the number of supplementary declarations not submitted
You must provide a reasonable estimate of the amounts due and keep records that explain your calculation.
You should use previous supplementary declaration figures but you can factor in known seasonal variations and any impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) such as downturn in orders and reduction in consignment volumes.
HMRC will take a reasonable approach to compliance action but may issue civil penalties if estimated figures are significantly lower than actual amounts and your records do not justify the estimated value.
You must submit an accurate supplementary declaration as soon as you can.
You must notify the customs simplified procedures team when you have submitted your declaration, they will then credit the estimated amount back to your deferment account.
Updates to this page
Last updated 22 April 2020 + show all updates
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Welsh translation added.
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Information about border functions and social distancing and a list of Border Force offices have been added.
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First published.