TSS Bulletin 213th Edition

Published: 26 February 2026|

Contents

You spoke, we are listening: A new focus for the TSS bulletin

Welcome to a new-look Trader Service Support (TSS) bulletin. We are introducing a more focused, thematic approach to help you navigate TSS with confidence.

So, why the change? We’re acting on what you have told us.

Through your Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) feedback, you’ve told us that clear guidance on the basics is key. In response, we are enhancing the bulletin by shifting our focus to provide high-level, foundational explanations.

Our first theme kicks off this new approach: ‘New to TSS or need a refresher? Start here.’

This introductory theme is our starting point, so we’re focusing on the fundamentals. Going forward, priority and time-critical operational updates will continue to appear at the top of the bulletin, alongside themed articles exploring new areas based on your CSAT feedback and the areas you told us you need the most help with.

Later in this edition, this theme brings together a set of linked articles covering:

  • What TSS is
  • What the UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) is and when it applies
  • The information you need to move goods using TSS
  • How to choose the right declaration journey

For our experienced traders, please be assured that every bulletin will continue to deliver the essential updates you rely on.

HMRC system maintenance – GVMS (Goods Vehicle Movement Service)

Goods Vehicle Movement System (GVMS) system maintenance between 10:30pm and 11:30pm on Saturday 28 February 2026.

During this period, GVMS will be unavailable.

Please ensure Goods Movement References (GMRs) are created in advance and any Movement Reference Numbers (MRNs) have been added/validated in advance of 10:30pm on Saturday 28 February.GMRs remain mandatory for freight movements using GVMS. Hauliers without a valid GMR will be turned away.

HMRC apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.

TSS portal outage notification

The TSS Portal will be updated on Sunday 1 March 2026. This will require a short period of downtime between 5pm to 10pm. Further details about the update will be provided in the next bulletin.

The following NICTA guides will also be updated:

  • Registration: Step-by-step guide to using TSS
  • TSS Transit service: a step-by-step guide for traders

Further guides and resources are available in the Guide Directory on NICTA.

UKIMS movements incurring incorrect additional duties

HMRC is aware that there is an ongoing issue concerning certain food/agricultural goods and fertilisers moving into Northern Ireland (NI), where ‘at risk’ tariffs are being calculated and applied on goods subject to Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1227.

This measure should only apply to goods when they are exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation or Belarus. However, even when this isn’t the case, the European Union (EU) measure is currently being triggered in the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), resulting in an additional duty rate and an ‘at risk’ duty outcome.

If you think your goods movement has incurred incorrect duty calculations, or would incur incorrect duties on submission, please contact TSS immediately for advice and support on how best to proceed.

How to use the CHED reference reminder / using multiple CHEDS on the same goods item line

From 15 September 2025, all NI movements require Common Health Entry Document (CHED) references in the updated format within CDS Data Element 2/3 ‘Documents and other reference codes’.

For non-Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) declarations pre-notified to the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES)

CHED references should use a letter-number format with three ‘.’ characters. For example, live animal movements use document code ‘C640’ as ‘CHEDA.XI.yyyy.nnnnnnn’, where ‘yyyy’ indicates the licence year (e.g., 2026). The reference is available on TRACES NT and can be pasted into the TSS Portal at the goods item level.

Example: ‘CHEDA.XI.2026.1234567’

For NIRMS movements

Movements from Great Britain (GB) to NI under NIRMS must use the format ‘GBCHDyyyy.NIRMS’, where ‘yyyy’ is the year of movement (e.g., 2026).

Example: ‘GBCHD2026.NIRMS’

Multiple CHED document codes on the same goods item line

To prevent delays or holds where multiple CHED document codes are used on the same goods item line, declarants:

  • must not declare multiple CHED document codes of the same type on the same goods item line. For example, declarants should not include two CHED.Ds for food and feed of non-animal origin (document code C678) on a single item line
  • may declare different CHED document code types on the same goods item line. For example, a single item line may require a CHED.D for food and feed of non-animal origin (document code C678) together with a CHED.PP for plants and plant products (document code C085)

Further guidance

Visit GOV.UK for general information on moving licensed goods into or out of Northern Ireland and details of the licence reference formats to be declared in CDS Data Element 2/3.

What is the Trader Support Service?

If you are a trader or carrier that moves goods between GB and NI, you can register for TSS or make other arrangements to submit declarations.

The Trader Support Service offers a free-to-use service to help you move goods to and from NI by providing a portal where traders and their intermediaries can submit required information.

TSS is an online customs platform combined with a support service. At its core, TSS is a secure digital system where businesses register, upload shipment details, and generate the customs declarations as well as safety and security documentation required to move goods to NI.

Through the TSS Portal, traders input information about their goods (such as product type, value, origin, and destination). The system then processes this data, applies the relevant NI trading rules and creates the necessary documentation, which is electronically submitted directly to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on your behalf. The TSS Portal also stores records, tracks movements and provides status updates.

TSS helps you to meet the requirements by providing support and guidance online and by phone, including:

What is UKIMS?

UKIMS is a trusted trader scheme that gives you access to the simplified processes for Internal Market Movements.

The scheme enables authorised traders to move eligible goods to NI and declare them  ‘not at risk’. This means you will not be charged the applicable EU rate of duty for eligible goods moving from GB to NI. You will only pay United Kingdom (UK) duty when moving eligible goods to NI from a country outside both the UK and the EU.

If you wish to check your eligibility to obtain a UKIMS authorisation, and for further information, you will need to apply online.

If you are using the TSS, you need to upload your authorisation letter to your TSS Company Profile to make use of your authorisation.

Further information is available on NICTA: UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS).

What information do I need to move goods using TSS?

To ensure the smooth movement of goods, you will need to have information prepared in advance of your shipment. If you are using a haulier/intermediary, you will need to provide them with the data required to complete an Entry Summary Declaration.

If you are registered for UKIMS, ensure the Importer EORI used on the Entry Summary Declaration is the Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number aligned to your UKIMS authorisation.

You will need information about the transport, such as:

  • Route and ports
  • Vehicle registration number
  • Transport Document Number
  • Arrival time and date

You will need to provide Information about the parties involved, such as:

  • Consignor and consignee EORI and details
  • Importer EORI and details
  • Exporter EORI and details
  • Buyer EORI and details (if different to Importer)
  • Seller EORI and details (if different to Exporter)

You will need to provide information about the goods, such as:

  • Goods description
  • Commodity code
  • Invoice number
  • Procedure Code & Additional Procedure Code

For a full list of data requirements, refer to the checklists on NICTA for more information:

For further help, depending on your journey, please refer to the ENS Step-by-step guide: Standard Process and Consignment First Process or consult the TSS Contact Centre for support on 0800 060 8888.

Choose your declaration journey in TSS

When you are moving goods from GB-NI, you need to decide which declaration journey you want to take.

TSS Simplified Procedure

The most common journey is the TSS Simplified Procedure, which is where you make a simplified declaration before the goods move and then provide the full information about the goods after they have arrived.

The TSS Simplified Procedure requires:

  • An Entry Summary Declaration, which must be provided prior to the goods entering NI
  • A Simplified Frontier Declaration is usually auto-generated by TSS from the information you provide on the Entry Summary Declaration
  • A Supplementary Declaration completed by the tenth calendar day of the month following the goods movement. This will require the full dataset of information and close the customs journey

Remember: TSS will provide you with a MRN for each of your declarations. The MRN from your Entry Summary Declaration and Simplified Frontier Declaration need to be submitted on the Goods Vehicle Movement System to create a GMR before the goods leave GB.

Alternative journey options

Other options to declare your goods moving to NI are:

  • Full Frontier Declaration: where the full dataset of information is provided in one submission, usually submitted before the goods move to NI. You must still submit an Entry Summary Declaration for your goods when using the Full Frontier Declaration.

For more information, see the Full Frontier Declaration: Step-by-step guide on NICTA

  • Internal Market Movement Information (IMMI): If you have a valid UKIMS authorisation and are moving eligible goods which are ‘not at risk’, you can complete an Entry Summary Declaration followed by an IMMI. This journey requires you to provide less information about your goods and does not require a Supplementary Declaration to be completed

For more information, see the Simplified processes for Internal Market Movements – Introduction Guide on NICTA.

TSS Contact Centre hours of operation:

7:30am to 10:30pm, 7 days a week

Contact options

Tel: 0800 060 8888

Welsh speakers Tel: 0800 060 8988

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