What to do if a pre-lodged import declaration is rejected on arrival
Find out what happens when a pre-lodged import declaration is rejected and what you need to do to get your goods released.
If you are moving goods into the UK, pre-lodged import declarations can be rejected if there are errors in your declaration.
You can find information on Customs Declaration Service error codes and why they may be showing on your declaration.
If your declaration is rejected on arrival you will be:
- notified with the error message ‘DMSREJ’
- provided with specific error codes for parts of the declaration that have failed validation
You cannot amend a rejected declaration. You will need to submit a new declaration with the errors corrected.
You will then have to follow the process for manually arriving your goods in the UK.
If you moved your goods using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service
A goods movement reference will be held if it is linked to a rejected declaration.
You should use your goods movement reference number in the ‘check if you need to report for an inspection’ service to understand if your goods are held.
You cannot link a new declaration to the original goods movement reference. The original goods movement reference will remain on hold and move to complete status after 7 days.
How to release your goods from an inland border facility
If a goods movement reference contains a declaration that has been rejected, you must submit a new declaration and manually arrive them to release the goods.
Your goods will be moved to an inland border facility and only released for collection when the new declaration is presented and cleared.
If you have already submitted a new declaration before the goods arrive at an inland border facility, staff will find the new declaration and make sure it is an accurate replacement for the rejected declaration. Your goods will then be released.
How to release your goods at inventory-linked locations
If you are moving goods through an inventory-linked location, you will be contacted by Border Force if your goods are held due to a rejected declaration.
You should submit a new declaration and manually arrive your goods.
Once Border Force are satisfied that an appropriate declaration has been submitted and cleared, your goods will be manually released from the inventory system.