Office of Transit penalties for missing MRN from 7th April 2025

Starting from April 7, 2025, hauliers responsible for bringing goods into the UK may face civil penalties of up to £2,500 if they fail to present all transit Movement Reference Numbers (MRNs) to the Office of Transit. For movements entering the UK via ports using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), it's mandatory to include all relevant MRNs in the Goods Movement Reference (GMR) before the vehicle embarks on its journey to the UK. This requirement is outlined in The Customs Transit Procedures (EU Exit) Regulations 2018.

Since January 21, Border Force and HMRC staff at Sevington have been distributing educational flyers to drivers who haven't included all transit MRNs in their GMRs for inbound movements. This initiative aims to inform hauliers, intermediaries, and agents about the potential penalties for non-compliance after 7th April 2025.

For detailed information on civil penalties related to customs law violations, refer to HMRC's Customs Notice 301.

To ensure compliance, hauliers should:

• Include all transit MRNs in the GMR before the vehicle embarks for the UK.
• Ensure the GMR is correctly entered into the GVMS.
• Stay updated on any changes to customs procedures by regularly consulting official HMRC guidance.

Adhering to these requirements will help avoid potential penalties and ensure smooth transit operations into the UK.