What Is a GMR? How to Get a Goods Movement Reference Number

A GMR (Goods Movement Reference) is a reference number issued in GVMS (the Goods Vehicle Movement Service) that allows you to move goods through locations that use this service. A GMR links customs declarations (such as the MRN) to a specific vehicle, trailer or container, and the carrier will only let goods on board if the GMR is valid. Source: gov.uk

Who creates a GMR and when

On the EU to Great Britain, Great Britain to EU and Great Britain to Northern Ireland routes, a GMR is needed for all movements through GVMS locations; on the Northern Ireland to Great Britain route, only in specific cases (including CTC transit, TIR carnets and ATA carnets). You create the number after registering for GVMS and signing in with the details you used to register. You show the GMR at the port of departure, so create it before you set off for the ferry or the tunnel. The carrier will only let goods on board if the GMR is valid. For ATA and TIR carnets, you must add the references before you arrive at the port or inland border facility to have your documents confirmed, otherwise your journey may be delayed. Source: gov.uk

You do not need a GMR if you are bringing goods into Great Britain for your own use, or carrying commercial goods in your luggage (entering or leaving Great Britain). However, a GMR is required for an empty trailer and for goods that can be declared orally or by conduct on the Great Britain to Northern Ireland, EU to Great Britain and Great Britain to EU routes. Source: gov.uk

Enlarge

How to get a GMR number: step by step

1. Register for GVMS.
2. Check which documents and references apply on your route.
3. Sign in and start creating the GMR from your GVMS account.
4. If your journey qualifies, choose the relevant option (oral declaration or declaration by conduct, empty vehicle).
5. Enter the required references for all goods in the vehicle, trailer or container.
6. Show the GMR at the port and confirm with the carrier how to do so.

Source for all the steps: gov.uk, Create a goods movement reference.

What details and numbers to enter in a GMR

• Vehicle registration number (for goods moving in a vehicle with a driver) or the trailer or container number (for unaccompanied goods).
• MRN of the import declaration in CDS, for the EU to Great Britain and Great Britain to Northern Ireland routes.
• DUCR, for combined customs and security declarations (exports) made in CDS, on the Great Britain to EU and Northern Ireland to Great Britain routes.
• ENS: on the EU to Great Britain route, the import ENS MRN is optional; on the Great Britain to Northern Ireland route, the import ENS (security) MRN is required, so that arrival and presentation notifications are submitted automatically. From 1 September 2025, you can add several ENS declarations on the EU to Great Britain and Great Britain to Northern Ireland routes.
• Transit (CTC): the transit MRN generated in NCTS. If NCTS is unavailable at the office of departure, you enter the paper TAD document under the Manual Transit Procedure. For CTC movements, you must not add related import declaration references.
• ATA, TIR and eATA carnets: the relevant reference numbers; the paper carnet must accompany the goods throughout the journey, and for an eATA you must show the eATA barcode.
• EORI number: where the party is authorised to make declarations in its own records.

Source: gov.uk. The references you need depend on the route, so check them for your journey before you travel.

How to check the status of a GMR

For journeys into Great Britain, you can use a GMR in the gov.uk service check if you need to report for an inspection to see whether your goods have been held for inspection. If they have, at Dover and the Eurotunnel you report to the Inland Border Facility, and at other GVMS locations to the inspection point at or near the port. You can check whether the GVMS service itself is available on the service status page. Source: gov.uk A detailed practical guide: how to check GMR status in GVMS. Full guide: GMR and GVMS: the number and how to get it. For the difference between a GMR and the security declaration, see GMR vs ENS.

Common GMR mistakes

• Missing declaration references for all the goods in the vehicle, trailer or container.
• Adding related import declaration references to a CTC transit movement, which is not allowed.
• Missing ATA or TIR carnet references before you visit the port, which risks a delay.
• Using the "orally / by conduct" or "empty vehicle" option for goods that do not qualify, which risks a delay and a penalty.
• Moving goods without proof of declaration at locations that require advance declaration, which risks a penalty.
• Failing to follow HMRC's instructions on inspections, which carries a penalty of up to £2,500.

Not all ports accept oral declarations or declarations by conduct, so ask the carrier first. Source: gov.uk See also: GMR error before the port: 7 things to check.

Help with generating a GMR

We can simplify this process by generating the GMR on your behalf at locations that use GVMS. The scope of the service and how we quote are explained on how much UK customs clearance costs. Questions about your route? Contact us.

Watch the video: GMR and GVMS 2026, how to get your number and not get stuck at the border

Frequently asked questions