Scheduled Maintenance for GVMS Users
The Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) will undergo scheduled maintenance on Saturday, 29 March 2025, from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM. During this period, the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will be temporarily unavailable, preventing users from adding import or export declarations and validating Goods Movement References (GMRs). However, the core GVMS system will remain operational. Businesses are advised to plan ahead and, where possible, add declarations to GMRs before or after the scheduled downtime.
Use of EORI ‘XI’ Numbers in GVMS for NI Movements
Recent updates to GVMS now allow businesses to use Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) numbers starting with ‘XI’ in the Entry in Declarant’s Records (EIDR) field. This change simplifies movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland by ensuring businesses with an ‘XI’ EORI and valid EIDR authorisation can generate GMRs using this identifier. Traders using the Trader Support Service (TSS) can continue with their existing processes.
New Declarant Responsibilities Effective 1 December 2025
From 1 December 2025, declarants will be required to ensure that their GVMS declarations are marked as ‘arrived’ after the importation of goods. This measure aims to address compliance challenges at roll-on roll-off ports, where undeclared imports have led to automatic clearance issues. Failure to mark declarations as ‘arrived’ may result in financial penalties of up to £2,500.
Changes to GMR Creation for Outbound Movements
As part of the ongoing improvements to GVMS, additional updates will be introduced to streamline GMR creation for outbound movements. These adjustments aim to enhance efficiency and reduce administrative burdens for hauliers and traders.
Businesses using GVMS should stay informed about these updates to ensure compliance and avoid potential disruptions.
Written by Corinne Robinson
Corinne brings the team together and is the main point of contact for clients and colleagues alike.
With a passion for customer service and over thirty years experience in managing businesses and streamlining processes in a variety of industries, Corinne knows what good service looks like and she takes pride in putting processes in place to ensure the team provides excellent customer service whilst managing customer expectations.