GVMS - Goods Vehicle Movement Service

The GVMS system is now live and despite some teething troubles the system appears to be working well.

​

What is GVMS?

​

Good Vehicle Movement Service - If you're a haulier and move goods through a port in the UK that uses the goods vehicle movement service you'll need to register for the service to get your goods through customs, if you do not wish to register or are not a frequent user then we are able to perform these notifications for you.

Your vehicle and trip/cargo details are entered on to the GVMS system and a GMR (Goods MOvement Reference) is generated, the Ferry / Tunnel operator will need this nu,ber or you will not be able to board the vessel / train otherwise.

​

If you’re a trader

​

If you’re a trader sending goods, you must:

1. Check if the port where the goods are arriving is using the goods vehicle movement service because you need to pre-lodge declarations.

2. Before the goods arrive at the departure port you must give the haulier your movement reference numbers from any safety and security declarations, import or export declarations, TIR and ATA Carnet numbers.
   Alternatively you must give your EORI number if you’re approved to make an entry in your own records and declaring goods in this way.

3. If your goods are travelling under the Common Transit Convention, you must give the haulier all relevant Transit Accompanying Documents, as well as the movement reference numbers for any safety and security declarations.
   A single vehicle may be carrying more than one transit movement. You must give the haulier a Transit Accompanying Document for each movement and a movement reference number for each safety and security declaration.

​

If you’re a haulier

​

If your business has been hired by someone to move goods, you must:

1. Check if the ports where the goods are moving from and to are using the goods vehicle movement service.

2. Register for the goods vehicle movement service if you’re a haulier.

3. Get a goods movement reference — you must enter references for all the goods contained in the vehicle, trailer or container.

4. You must follow instructions about whether you need to get your goods checked by customs on arrival or if you’re able to continue your journey.

​

For imports from 1 January 2022

​

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. If you’re arriving into the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel, you’ll need to attend an Inland Border Facility to have these checks carried out.

For all other goods vehicle movement service locations, you must proceed to the inspection facility within or near the port if your goods are held.

In some cases you may also be stopped by Border Force officers within the port to have checks performed on your vehicle or load.

If this happens, you must still attend an inland border facility to complete customs functions if you have been instructed to do so.

The goods must be taken to an inland border facility directly and the goods must be in the same condition as they were at the time of importation.

You may be liable to a penalty of up to £2,500 if you fail to follow HMRC instructions.

 

GVMS Errors - Common Errors and help - Multilingual

 

Since the UK implemented additional controls on the 1st January 2022 as part of its phased withdrawal from the EU, HMRC have monitored compliance with the GVMS system.   The new procedures are complex and are dependent on all parties performing their task correctly, sending and monitoring messages and involving some operators such as hauliers in Customs activities for the first time in decades. Complexity and unfamiliarity have contributed to some of the issues encountered.

HMRC recently sent an email to some 13,000 EU based hauliers with advice on how to resolve common errors when using GVMS.

​

Copies of the email content are available to download by clicking the language required below:

​

• English

• Bulgarian

• Czech

• Dutch

• French

• German

• Hungarian

• Lithuanian

• Portuguese

• Polish

• Romanian

• Spanish

​

UK Government helplines

​

The majority of your questions and enquiries can be answered by visiting  gov.uk/transition or you can use the following helpline numbers:

HMRC

• Customs & International Trade Helpline - 0300 322 9434.

  • Opening hours here.

• VAT / Imports and Exports General Enquiries - 0300 200 3700.

  • Opening hours here.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)

• Vehicle operator licensing enquiries - 0300 123 9000.

  • Opening hours here.

• International Road Haulage Permits - 0330 678 1117.

  • Opening hours here. 

Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA)

• Helpline/Enquiries - 0300 1000 313.

  • Further details here.