If your business needs to move goods through countries that use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service, you’ll need a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) – it’s a unique identifier for your shipment that will help you track your goods as they are transported across countries and ensure that you remain compliant with customs regulations.
This guide outlines the step-by-step process you should follow to create a GMR as well as covering the other requirements for shipping goods including the need for an EORI number. We’ll also point out the common problems you might encounter and offer practical tips to help avoid these.
Requirements for a GMR
To create a Goods Movement Reference (GMR), you’ll need to have a number of details to hand including your EORI number, your Government Gateway Account login details, the declaration references for the shipment, and the journey details for the shipment. Here’s how to prepare each of these:
EORI Number
You’ll need an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number before you can create your GMR. The EORI is a unique identifier for your business that’s necessary when moving goods between Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) or the Isle of Man and any other country, including within the EU. It’s also required for movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, or between Northern Ireland and non-EU countries. Businesses need to have premises based in the country they’re importing to or exporting from to be eligible for an EORI number.
Government Gateway Account
A Government Gateway user ID and password are essential for registering with the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) . If a business doesn’t have a user ID for customs services, they can create one. The Government Gateway account must be linked to a valid GB EORI number in one of three ways:
- Obtaining a new GB EORI during GVMS registration
- Using an existing Government Gateway ID linked to other customs services
- Entering an existing GB EORI to link it to the Government Gateway ID
Declaration References
To obtain a GMR, businesses must provide declaration references for all goods in the vehicle, trailer, or container . These references may include:
- Movement Reference Numbers (MRNs) for imports declared in the Customs Declaration Service
- Entry Reference Numbers (ERNs) for goods declared in CHIEF
- Transit Accompanying Document MRNs for goods moving via Transit
- DUCR for goods declared for export into CDS/CHIEF
- ATA or TIR Carnet numbers, if applicable
Vehicle and Journey Details
The GMR requires specific information about the vehicle and journey:
- Vehicle registration number for accompanied movements
- Trailer number or container reference number for unaccompanied movements
- Direction of the crossing
- Planned crossing details, including departure and arrival ports, carrier, and departure time
- Whether the vehicle will accompany the movement on the crossing
By ensuring these essential requirements are met, businesses can efficiently create a GMR, facilitating smooth goods movement through GVMS ports and enhancing their import and export processes.
Navigating the GVMS portal
Logging in
To access the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) portal, go to the website and click the green “Start Now” button. You’ll be asked to sign in using your Government Gateway user ID and password.
Creating a new GMR
Once logged in, you’ll see the GMR dashboard, which displays any GMRs you’ve previously created. To create a new Goods Movement Reference (GMR), click the green “Create a New GMR” button and follow the steps:
- Select and confirm the direction of movement.
- Choose the planned route, including departure and arrival ports.
- Confirm if the driver will travel with the vehicle.
- Add the associated vehicle registration number.
- Include trailer number or container reference numbers as required .
Make sure that you provide accurate information, as the GMR links together all declarations submitted for the goods before they reach their destination.
Remember that you need a new GMR for each movement of goods through a border location using the GVMS.
Updating a draft GMRs
To edit an existing draft GMR, log in and select the ID for that specific GMR on the dashboard that you want to edit. When updating a draught GMR, make sure you update any Movement Reference Numbers (MRNs), Entry Reference Numbers (ERNs), or other relevant identifiers.
There are penalties if you import goods to locations requiring pre-lodgement without providing sufficient evidence of declaration, so make sure you’ve included all the necessary information and it’s up-to-date in the GMR.
Once the GMR is created and all required information is added, you present it at the departure port. They should contact the carrier at the port to learn how to do this, as the carrier will only allow embarkation if the GMR is valid. After presenting the GMR, users must follow instructions regarding customs checks upon arrival or if they’re cleared to continue their journey.
Avoiding problems
Creating a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) can be a complex and there are a few common pitfalls that can cause delays:
Incorrect vehicle registration
One of the most frequent errors is providing incorrect vehicle details. The GMR must contain the correct Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) and Trailer Reference Number (TRN). If these details do not match the vehicle arriving at the border location, boarding will be denied until the GMR is corrected . To avoid this issue, double-check all vehicle information before submitting the GMR.
Missing declaration references
Another common mistake is failing to include all necessary declaration references. The GMR must contain references for all goods in the vehicle, trailer, or container . This includes:
- Movement Reference Numbers (MRNs) for imports
- Entry Reference Numbers (ERNs) for goods declared in CHIEF
- Transit Accompanying Document MRNs for goods moving via Transit
Omitting any required references can result in goods not being marked as arrived, leading to delays in the customs process . To prevent this, ensure all relevant declaration references are accurately entered into the GVMS web portal.
Wrong movement type selection
Selecting the incorrect movement type can cause significant issues. For instance, oral or by conduct declarations should only be used when appropriate and for applicable goods. Using these incorrectly can lead to journey delays and potential penalties . To avoid this, carefully review the movement type requirements and select the appropriate option for your specific goods and circumstances.
To minimise errors, it’s crucial to double-check all information before submitting the GMR. If mistakes are identified, the GMR can be cancelled and restarted as long as it’s in ‘Draft’, ‘Trader Input Required’, or ‘Open’ status . Always verify the GMR status and address any ‘Trader Input Required’ notifications promptly to keep goods moving efficiently.
Creating a Goods Movement Reference
The creation of a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) has a significant impact on the efficiency of cross-border trade operations. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, businesses can navigate the GVMS portal with confidence, ensuring they meet all essential requirements and avoid common pitfalls. This approach helps to streamline customs clearance processes and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
To wrap up, the key to successful GMR creation lies in attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the process. By double-checking vehicle information, including all necessary declaration references, and selecting the correct movement type, businesses can prevent delays and potential penalties.
FAQs
What exactly is a Goods Movement Reference?
A Goods Movement Reference (GMR) number, created by the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), consolidates all the customs declarations related to a specific shipment. This unique number allows the haulier to demonstrate at the European border that all goods in the shipment have been properly declared to HM Revenue and Customs by presenting just this one GMR number.
How does one obtain a Movement Reference Number?
A Movement Reference Number (MRN) is automatically assigned by the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) for each declaration processed. This includes all import and export declarations, as well as pre-lodged declarations submitted to CDS.
What is the structure of a Movement Reference Number?
Typically, an MRN comprises 18 characters. The initial two characters indicate the country code of the Member State where the application was made. The subsequent 16 characters, a mix of numbers and letters, uniquely identify the specific customs declaration.
Could you explain what a Movement Reference Number is?
Movement Reference Numbers (MRN) are unique identifiers assigned by National Administrations to distinctly identify a Transit Movement. It is crucial to enter the MRN precisely as any error will prevent the MRN Follow-Up application from producing accurate results. An MRN specifically identifies a national movement rather than an international one.gvms-gmr-tips-for-traders.php
[7] – https://developer.service.hmrc.gov.uk/guides/gvms-end-to-end-service-guide/
