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Trader Support Service

Completing the Simplified Customs Declaration Process (SCDP)

Find out what actions you need to take to complete an entry in the declarant’s record (EIDR), a simplified declaration and a supplementary declaration using the Trader Support Service.

Contents

Use this guidance when completing an EIDR or simplified declaration without an entry summary declaration linked to it. To complete an EIDR or simplified declaration with an entry summary declaration, follow every step in this guide and those in the section on completing an entry summary declaration with an EIDR or simplified declaration. This guidance does not cover the Internal Market Movement Information. If you’re eligible, you can complete this instead. See actions you need to take to complete an Internal Market Movement Information.

You need to submit a customs declaration when you move goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

The Simplified Customs Declaration Process (SCDP) lets you complete this in 2 parts.

You will need to give some information about your goods before you move them. When the goods arrive, you provide the remaining information.

What you need to complete before moving goods

This depends on the type of goods you are moving - if:

  • you move standard goods (not subject to documents and licenses) you must complete an EIDR – this is where you make an entry in your own records about the movement
  • your goods are controlled, you must complete a simplified declaration. You can check if your goods are controlled before you start.

The Trader Support Service will create the appropriate record for you once you confirm whether your goods are controlled.

Completing an entry summary declaration with an EIDR or simplified declaration

You can choose to complete an EIDR or simplified declaration at the same time as the entry summary declaration. This can be done as part of the entry summary declaration consignment. You’ll need to provide some extra information to the party that will be dealing with the transport and submission of the entry summary declaration.

Ensure you provide the following information to the entry summary declaration submitter:

  • the correct importer EORI number to use - the Trader Support Service will generate the supplementary declaration to the importers account (If intending to benefit from the simplified processes for Internal Market Movement use the EORI number associated to the importers UKIMS authorisation)
  • check the information needed to complete the entry summary declaration
  • if you, as a trader created the EIDR or simplified declaration, give the haulier or intermediary responsible for transporting the goods the Local Reference Number (LRN) generated by the Trader Support Service after you save the form

The Trader Support Service will send the submitter the Movement Reference Number (MRN) of the simplified declaration and the entry summary declaration. For EIDR movements, the Trader Support Service will send you an EORI number that you must use for creating a goods movement reference on GVMS.

Before you submit: who does what – EIDR or simplified declaration

You’ll need to gather information about the goods and the movement.

You may need to get this information from other parties involved in the supply chain.  

The importer of record is responsible for the information provided on the EIDR or simplified declaration. They may agree with the transporter or intermediary to complete these declarations on their behalf.

Trader (seller, exporter, buyer, importer)

Gather information about the:

  • transport and journey information
  • parties involved in the supply chain
  • goods characteristics and packaging

You can find these details in the section details required to complete an EIDR or simplified declaration of the guide.

Find out who the importer of record is by checking the incoterms on the commercial invoice. This is because you need to use the correct EORI number for the importer.

If you’re not sure, you can read guidance on incoterms.

If there are no incoterms on the commercial invoice, seek advice from the buyer and seller.

Ensure you and your customer are registered for the Trader Support Service (one-time step).

Register for the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) to get a goods movement reference (one-time step).

If you contract a carrier or haulier, make sure they are registered for the GVMS (one-time step).

Transporter (carrier, haulier)

When submitting information on behalf of the trader, you'll need to gather information about the:

  • transport and journey information
  • parties involved in the supply chain
  • goods characteristics and packaging

You can find these details in the section details required to complete an EIDR or simplified declaration of the guide.

Find out who the importer of record is by checking the incoterms on the commercial invoice. This is because you need to use the correct EORI number for the importer.

If you’re not sure, you can read guidance on incoterms.

If there are no incoterms on the commercial invoice, seek advice from the buyer and seller.

Ensure you and your customer are registered for the Trader Support Service (one-time step).

Register for the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) to get a goods movement reference (one-time step).

Intermediary (agent, freight forwarder)

When submitting information on behalf of the trader, you'll need to gather information about the:

  • transport and journey information
  • parties involved in the supply chain
  • goods characteristics and packaging

You can find these details in the section details required to complete an EIDR or simplified declaration of the guide.

Find out who the importer of record is by checking the incoterms on the commercial invoice. This is because you need to use the correct EORI number for the importer.

If you’re not sure, you can read guidance on incoterms.

If there are no incoterms on the commercial invoice, seek advice from the buyer and seller.

Ensure you and your customer are registered for the Trader Support Service (one-time step).

Additional actions to take - simplified declaration only

You need to give more details when moving controlled goods. 

Trader (seller, exporter, buyer, importer)

Check you have the appropriate document, licence or certificate for your goods.

You will need to enter these details on your declaration.

You can use the Northern Ireland Online Tariff (opens in a new tab) to check what documents are required for your goods.

These will be listed under Conditions within the Import controls heading of the tariff.

Check the document, licence or certificate:

  • is valid (in date)
  • has sufficient quantity
  • has the same commodity code you will enter on the declaration

Transporter (carrier, haulier)

When you're submitting information on behalf of the trader, you'll need to check you have the appropriate document, licence or certificate for the goods.

You will need to enter these details on your declaration.

You can use the Northern Ireland Online Tariff (opens in a new tab) to check what documents are required for your goods.

These will be listed under Conditions within the Import controls heading of the tariff.

Check the document, licence or certificate:

  • is valid (in date)
  • has sufficient quantity
  • has the same commodity code you will enter on the declaration

Intermediary (agent, freight forwarder)

When you're submitting information on behalf of the trader, you'll need to check you have the appropriate document, licence or certificate for the goods.

You will need to enter these details on your declaration.

You can use the Northern Ireland Online Tariff (opens in a new tab) to check what documents are required for your goods.

These will be listed under Conditions within the Import controls heading of the tariff.

Check the document, licence or certificate:

  • is valid (in date)
  • has sufficient quantity
  • has the same commodity code you will enter on the declaration

Details required to complete an EIDR or simplified declaration

You’ll need key details about the:

  • parties involved
  • goods
  • transport

You can find this information from:

commercial invoices - includes the names of the seller/exporter and buyer/importer, the value of the goods, and a description of the goods

  • packing lists - shows the number of packages, as well as their weight and size
  • transport documents - Bill of Lading (sea), CMR note (road)

You can identify what information you need from the following government guidance:

Information required for an EIDR (opens in a new tab)

Information required for a simplified declaration (opens in a new tab)

Note: the portal will not display the actual data elements. Instead, it shows the data field names and asks guided questions to help you enter the required information for each element.

Submitting the EIDR or simplified declaration

When you have all the details you need, you can submit your information. Take the following steps:

  • fill out the EIDR or simplified declaration with the details gathered and submit the form using the Trader Support Service
  • you or your haulier/intermediary will need to submit the information, through the Trader Support Service at least 2 hours before the goods are due to arrive in Northern Ireland 

After you submit: who does what - EIDR or simplified declaration

After you send your information, the following will happen to keep your goods moving:

  • if you have submitted a simplified declaration, the Trader Support Service will send this information to the Customs Declaration Service - EIDR movements do not need to be sent to the Customs Declaration Service
  • the Trader Support Service will send you an email containing information you will need to provide to the transporter

Trader (seller, exporter, buyer, importer)

If you submitted an EIDR, you must provide the transporter with:

  • the LRN
  • the procedure code

The transporter needs this to confirm Notification of Presentation (NOP) when creating a goods movement  reference on the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) (opens in a new tab).

If you submitted a simplified declaration, you must provide the transporter with the MRN. This is required to create the goods movement reference.

When the goods arrive, check you have a ‘draft’ supplementary declaration on your account.

Note: If you believe you should not have a supplementary declaration on your account because you are not the importer of record, see the supplementary declaration guidance to check what you need to do.

Intermediary (agent, freight forwarder)

If you submitted an EIDR, you must provide the transporter with:

  • the LRN
  • the procedure code

The transporter needs this to confirm Notification of Presentation (NOP) when creating a goods movement  reference on the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) (opens in a new tab).

If you submitted a simplified declaration, you must provide the transporter with the MRN. This is required to create the goods movement reference.

When the goods arrive, check you have a ‘draft’ supplementary declaration on your account.

Note: If you believe you should not have a supplementary declaration on your account because you are not the importer of record, see the supplementary declaration guidance to check what you need to do.

What you need to complete when your goods arrive

You must complete a supplementary declaration by the 10th calendar day of the month following the goods movement. For example, if your goods arrive on 26th March 2026, you must submit your supplementary declaration by 10th April 2026.

You could complete an Internal Market Movement Information (opens in a new tab) instead of a supplementary declaration if your goods are eligible for the simplified processes (opens in a new tab).

If you are eligible, check the information required to complete an Internal Market Movement Information instead of a supplementary declaration.

Before you submit: who does what - supplementary declaration

You need to provide the remaining information about the goods you moved. You do this by submitting a supplementary declaration, also known as the H1 dataset in the Customs Declaration Service.

Remember, you can complete a smaller dataset of information known as an Internal Market Movement Information (IMMI) instead if you are eligible for the simplified processes for Internal Market Movement (opens in a new tab). If you are eligible, you must have a UKIMS authorisation on your business profile to gain access to the IMMI. You can find out more about using the IMMI on the Trader Support Service.

Trader (seller, exporter, buyer, importer)

Check if your goods attract customs duty.

If they do, but are:

Have the information needed for your supplementary declaration to hand.

You can find these details in the section details required to complete a supplementary declaration of the guide.

Transporter (carrier, haulier)

When submitting information on behalf of the trader, have the information needed for your supplementary declaration to hand.

You can find these details in the section details required to complete a supplementary declaration of the guide.

Intermediary (agent, freight forwarder)

If you're acting as the importer of records, check if the goods attract customs duty.

If they do, but are:

When submitting information on behalf of the trader, have the information needed for your supplementary declaration to hand.

You can find these details in the section details required to complete a supplementary declaration of the guide.

Details required to complete a supplementary declaration

You’ll need key details about the:

  • parties involved
  • goods
  • transport
Some of this information will be pre-filled by the Trader Support Service from when you submitted your EIDR or simplified declaration.

You can find this information from:

  • commercial invoices - includes the names of the seller/exporter and buyer/importer, the value of the goods, and a description of the goods
  • packing lists - shows the number of packages, as well as their weight and size
  • transport documents - Bill of Lading (sea), CMR note (road) 

You can identify what information you need from the following government guidance:

Information required for a supplementary declaration (opens in a new tab)

Note: the portal will not display the actual data elements. Instead, it shows the data field names and asks guided questions to help you enter the required information for each element.

Submitting the supplementary declaration

When you have all the details you need, you can submit your information.

Your declaration will go into ‘processing’ state and will return with one of the following states:

  • Closed
  • Trader Input Required
  • Amendment required
  • Pending payment

After you submit: who does what - supplementary declaration

You’ll need to carry out some final checks after submitting your declaration.

Trader (seller, exporter, buyer, importer)

Check your declaration status shows as ‘closed’.

If your declaration is in the following states: ‘Trader Input Required’ and ‘Amendment required’ you need to take action to correct the errors.

You can find out how to resolve declaration errors and resubmit your declaration.

Make a payment if customs duty is due.

If payment is due, your declaration will show the status as ‘pending payment’.

You can find out about making payments using the  Trader Support Service.

Intermediary (agent, freight forwarder)

When submitting information on behalf of the trader, check your declaration status shows as ‘closed’.

If your declaration is in the following states: ‘Trader Input Required’ and ‘Amendment required’ you need to take action to correct the errors.

You can find out how to resolve declaration errors and resubmit your declaration.

Make a payment if customs duty is due.

If payment is due, your declaration will show the status as ‘pending payment’.

You can find out about making payments using the  Trader Support Service.

The final stage of SCDP is to submit a final supplementary declaration (opens in a new tab). You do not need to do this. This will be done by the Trader Support Service.

Related content

Completing a standard declaration

Using the Simplified Customs Declaration Process (SCDP) in the Trader Support Service