Use this service to get a goods movement reference after registering with the Goods Vehicle Movement Service.

What you’ll need

You’ll need:

• the vehicle registration number, if your movement is accompanied
• the trailer number or container reference number, if your movement is unaccompanied
• Movement Reference Numbers from safety and security declarations
• a unique reference number that proves a declaration has either been pre-lodged or is not needed, this will either be:
  • a transit accompanying document movement reference number, when moving goods using transit
  • a movement reference number, for goods moving from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland (declared into the Customs Declaration Service from 1 January 2021)
  • an EORI, for goods where the trader is authorised to make declarations in their own records and where the goods are moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland (from 1 January 2021)
• an ATA or Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) carnet reference, for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland (declared from 1 January 2021)
• the paper transit accompanying document, or the ATA or TIR carnet, for transit, ATA or TIR carnet movements – this must travel with the goods throughout the journey

Declaring goods orally or by conduct

You can declare certain goods orally or by conduct at the border.

If you’re moving an empty trailer or any other commercial goods that can be declared orally or by conduct, you’ll need to get a goods movement reference. You can do this by selecting the ‘empty’ goods movement reference option within the Goods Vehicle Movement Service.

In some cases, you may need to complete a safety and security declaration, where you must indicate if your goods are moving under contract of carriage (the service will provide more information on how to do this).

If you’re moving your personal goods yourself or commercial goods in your own accompanied baggage, you’ll not need a goods movement reference.

Find out what to do when moving personal goods or commercial goods in this way from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Get a goods movement reference

You’ll need the Government Gateway user ID and password you used when you registered for the Goods Vehicle Movement Service.

Start now

What happens next

You need to present the goods movement reference at the port you are leaving from. Contact the carrier at the port to find out how to do this.

The carrier will allow you to embark if the goods movement reference is valid.

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