Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about UK transit documents and customs declarations
What is a T1 transit document and when do I need one?
A T1 is a Common Transit Convention (CTC) document that allows non-Union goods to move across CTC contracting parties — including the UK and EU — without paying import duties at each border. You need a T1 when goods are not yet in free circulation in the destination customs territory, for example moving Turkish goods through the EU to the UK or vice versa.
What is the difference between T1 and T2?
T1 covers non-Union (third-country) goods and is the most common transit document for UK ↔ EU movements. T2 covers Union goods that need to keep their Union status while crossing a non-Union territory. T2L is a status document only — it proves Union status but is not a movement document on its own.
What is NCTS and is it different from a T1?
NCTS (New Computerised Transit System) is the electronic platform used to lodge and manage transit declarations. The T1 (or T2) is the legal document; NCTS is the system the declaration runs through. Since 2023–2024 the UK has been on NCTS Phase 5, which requires more granular data than the previous version.
Do I need a GVMS reference and a T1?
If your movement goes through a UK RoRo port using GVMS (Dover, Eurotunnel, Holyhead, etc.) you need a GMR for the physical vehicle movement. If the goods are also moving under transit, the T1 MRN is one of the declarations attached to the GMR. Both are required and we set up both for you.
How long does it take to issue a T1?
Once we have the commercial invoice, packing list and CMR, most T1s are lodged on NCTS within an hour. The driver receives the Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) with the MRN before reaching the office of departure.
Who provides the transit guarantee?
Every transit movement must be covered by a financial guarantee equivalent to the customs debt. We use our authorised comprehensive guarantee to cover your movements, so you do not need to lodge a guarantee yourself for each shipment.
What is an EORI number and do I need one?
An EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is a unique HMRC ID required for any business or individual moving goods to or from the UK. Without it, HMRC will not accept your transit, import or export declaration. We help you obtain one in 3–5 working days.
Do you handle Turkey ↔ UK movements?
Yes — Turkey ↔ UK is one of our specialisms. Since Turkey is part of the EU Customs Union for industrial goods but outside CTC for transit, we handle the A.TR movement certificates plus T1 transit through the EU and into the UK. Our Turkish-speaking operators communicate directly with your shipper or driver.