If you’re an NCTS user who moves goods using transit, please read this important information carefully. If you represent an NCTS user, please make them aware of this update.
Background
The UK will be moving to NCTS Phase 5 on 16 November 2023. You can see all of our previous updates on GOV.UK.
Common Transit Convention (CTC) member country delays
HMRC is aware that some members of the CTC will not have NCTS5 up and running for November 2023.
To ensure goods can continue moving into and out of these countries, the NCTS translation service between NCTS4 and NCTS5 will stay live, to continue to translate messages as it does now.
What this means for the UK
The UK will still be moving to NCTS5 on 16 November 2023. This means that all new transit declarations for movements on or after 16 November, must be submitted into NCTS5.
To allow more time for UK transit users to prepare for some of the changes coming with NCTS5, the following NCTS5 functions will now be implemented at a later date: –
• Commodity Codes – You can still enter a Commodity Code into NCTS5 on a voluntary basis, however it will not be compulsory yet. HMRC will let you know in advance when this is due to change.
• Electronic presentation of MRN – Until NCTS5 is used by all CTC member countries, there will still be a requirement to carry the paper Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) with your goods. HMRC will let you know when you can opt to present the MRN electronically rather than carry a paper TAD.
• Office of Incident – You will continue to record the details of any incidents that happen during the journey, onto the paper TAD as you do now. HMRC will let you know when the new Office of Incident role can be used to record incidents in real time during the journey.
HMRC will continue to provide further updates and guidance to support you with preparing for the switch to NCTS5 on 16 November 2023 and for the NCTS5 functions that will now be implemented at a later date.