For the majority of GB imports, a GB Entry Summary declaration (GB ENS) is legal requirement from the UK Government from 31 January 2025.
What is Safety & Security GB?
Rather than concerning duties or taxes, the new requirement is being introduced to help keep GB borders secure.
When you have successfully submitted your GB ENS, the data within will be validated. Once accepted, you will receive a Movement Reference Number (MRN) within minutes. After the authorities have evaluated the data for national security risks, the UK Border Force will use it to implement the necessary measures.
Who is responsible for the new control?
The carrier (the owner of the active means of transport as the goods reach the border) is the person or entity responsible for fulfilling the new requirements.
For accompanied freight, the haulier is usually considered the carrier. On the North Sea, however, the ferry operator will provide GB ENS completion for both accompanied and unaccompanied goods.
The ferry operator is regarded as the carrier for unaccompanied goods.
How will this impact hauliers?
Hauliers responsible for their GB ENS will need to provide the following information:
- Consignor name & address (EORI number, if held)
- Consignee name & address (EORI number, if held)
- Carrier GB EORI number (for driver accompanied vehicles)
- Description of goods (be as specific as possible)
- Reference number
- Vehicle Identification Number (accompanied), IMO (unaccompanied)
- Trailer seal (or ‘no seal’)
- Border entry point (HMRC location code – e.g. GB000060)
- ETA time and date
- Total no. of packages and weight
- Type of packages
- Any marks and reference numbers
- Countries of routing (in chronological order)
For unaccompanied freight, the ‘place of loading’ will be the port of exit and the ‘place of discharge’ will be the port of entry.
These are the legislative requirements as currently outlined by the United Kingdom HMRC. However, they could be subject to change.
GB ENS for the North Sea
Ensure smooth transport with our North Sea GB ENS solution – available to our customers in our Freight Portal.
Our experts have tailor-made this convenient tool so that our customers can maintain a streamlined approach to transport, without having to worry about customs.
For units travelling via:
- Temporary Storage: It will be mandatory to provide the ENS details via Stena Line.
- Unaccompanied + UK customs procedure TX
- Pre-lodgement: It will be optional to provide the ENS details via Stena Line.
- (Un)accompanied + UK customs procedure PL/EX
- Accompanied + UK customs procedure TX
GB ENS for our Irish Sea routes and other crossings
Available to our Freight Portal users, the CustomsLink GB ENS builder has already supported hauliers across Europe with their GB ENS.
Part of the CustomsLink Haulier Border Toolkit, the CustomsLink GB ENS builder is the perfect solution for simplifying your GB ENS processes on our Irish Sea routes. CustomsLink also offer a comprehensive solution that covers all crossings to and from the UK, regardless of the shipping company you use.
Find out more about the CustomsLink Haulier Border Toolkit.
For additional details about S&S GB please visit the GOV.UK website
Got a question?
We are committed to supporting you with your transport requirements wherever possible. If you have any additional queries related to GB ENS, please feel free to reach out to our specialist customs support department.
Email: [email protected]
Alternatively, you can contact the CustomsLink experts (available 7 days a week) to discuss your customs needs.
Email: [email protected]