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The New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) is a system of electronic declaration and processing that traders must use to submit Common Transit declarations. You can also use NCTS to submit 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵs Internationaux Routiers (TIR) declarations electronically if you’re in Northern Ireland.

The NCTS will process the declaration and control the transit movement. It’s used by the UK, all member states of the EU and the signatories of the .

The Common Transit procedure can be used for movements between the UK, the EU and other Common Transit Countries.

The TIR procedure is used for transit operations that begin, end or transit a third (non-EU) country that has signed the TIR convention. You’ll also have to declare such goods to NCTS for any part of the journey taking place within Northern Ireland or the EU.

You must use it if you’re a trader and want to move goods under the .

Exceptions to NCTS

There are some exceptions to NCTS for goods moving by air, sea, or rail.

Find out more about moving goods under the  procedure.

You cannot use NCTS to make Proof of Union Status declarations (T2L) documents.

Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI) Number

Unless you use an agent to make your transit declaration, you must be registered as an Economic Operator, and once registered, use your EORI number on your NCTS declarations. Read more about the Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) Scheme.

To use NCTS and transit goods you’ll need:

• an EORI number
• your business address
• a guarantee
• Trader Identification Number

To use the online service, you’ll need:

• A government gateway ID, you can register for one the first time you access the system
• access to a computer that can download and print Adobe Acrobat PDF documents
• a good quality printer that can print barcodes so you can print your Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) and List of Items
• specific settings enabled on your internet browser

You can use transit simplified procedures when moving goods under transit. Find out more about .

The EDIFACT system sends and receives messages as email attachments, or in the body of the email.

To use this system you’ll need to buy specialised software or develop software that is compatible with NCTS.

If you buy or develop software, you must ensure it is fully compatible with NCTS. Download the technical interface specification (TIS) and the TIS appendices for phase 4 of NCTS at .

HMRC has a  so you can check your software is compatible before you start using it.

There’s a technical pack if you want to develop your own NCTS system. , along with a list of , is available.

If you develop your own software, you’ll need to contact the  before you connect to the NCTS system for the first time.

Read technical information about .

If you send an EDIFACT message to NCTS using your own trader software, it will need to translate your declaration into an EDIFACT coded message that NCTS can read. NCTS will then accept or reject the declaration in EDIFACT. Your trader software must also be able to translate this.

If you’re a trader in Great Britain moving goods using transit

You’ll need to set up an account to use the  to send transit declarations.

If you’re a trader in Northern Ireland moving goods using transit

You’ll need to use the EDIFACT e-mail channel or XML to send transit declarations.

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You can use XML to integrate your business systems with the NCTS.

Using the XML route to NCTS involves sending and receiving EDIFACT messages ‘wrapped’ with an XML envelope. The NCTS XML channel gives an additional communication route for NCTS which may be useful if you’re running a large business.

You’ll need access to an XML wrapping tool which can send EDIFACT messages to the NCTS.

You can buy or develop your own XML wrapping tool for delivering messages direct from your organisation or you can use a service provider that will perform the XML wrapping on your behalf.

If you want to purchase software, see the .

HMRC services may be slow during busy times. You can also check if there are any , or times it will not be available.

How to submit

When you enter a transit declaration into the NCTS an electronic message is sent to the customs office of departure. If your declaration is accepted the system will allocate a movement reference number. The Anticipated Arrival Record message is sent by the office of departure to the destination customs office.

After you’ve submitted

Your consignments must travel with a Transit Accompanying Document (TAD). The TAD includes your consignment’s Movement Reference Number – printed in numeric form and as a barcode. You must be able to print barcodes to the ISO code 128 standard, rather than EAN 128.

When more than one item is being consigned, a List of Items should also be sent with the TAD.

Goods moving under the transit procedure must be accompanied by a TAD for presentation at destination or in case the goods are diverted, or there are any incidents during transit.

The TAD can be printed out at the customs office of departure or, if your printer can accommodate barcodes, at your own premises. TADs are authenticated by the system and do not need to be stamped by customs.

When your goods arrive at the destination country, it’s important that the TAD is presented to customs at the office of destination, so they can inform the NCTS that the goods have arrived.

De-enrolling from NCTS

Find out more about how to de-enrol your business or a staff member from NCTS with the .