GMR and GVMS in the UK — How to Get a GMR Number? Complete Guide 2026

1. What is GVMS and how does it work?

GVMS (Goods Vehicle Movement Service) is an HMRC system launched after Brexit as part of the new customs border between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Its main job is to link all customs declarations (import, export, T1 transit) to one specific lorry journey — before the vehicle reaches the port.

Before GVMS, a customs officer had to manually verify many documents for every vehicle. Now the whole process is automated: the system knows exactly what goods are on the lorry, what MRN numbers they have, and whether all the customs declarations have been correctly lodged.

Ports using GVMS:

• Dover (the most important RoRo port)
• Folkestone (the Channel Tunnel)
• Holyhead (connections to Ireland)
• Liverpool
• Hull
• Newcastle

It is worth remembering that not every UK port uses GVMS — some ports use the IBF (Inventory-Based Frontier) system instead, which we describe in section 6 below.

2. What is a GMR number?

A GMR (Goods Movement Reference) is a unique alphanumeric code generated by a freight forwarder or customs agency in the GVMS system on the gov.uk portal. Every GMR contains information about all the consignments loaded on a given lorry — the linked MRN (Master Reference Number) numbers from the individual customs declarations form what is known as a "movement" in the system.

What does a GMR look like in practice? Before entering the port terminal (e.g. at Dover), the driver scans or gives their GMR number at the barrier. The GVMS system immediately checks:

• whether all the MRNs are linked to that GMR
• whether the customs declarations have been correctly lodged and accepted
• whether the vehicle is entitled to cross the border in the given time window

Important: a GMR is valid for 24 hours from the planned time of entry to the terminal. If the driver is late or exceeds this time, a new GMR must be generated.

3. Who generates the GMR number?

Several parties can generate a GMR — the choice depends on the structure of the supply chain:

A customs agency (e.g. Easy Clearance) — the most common scenario

This is the simplest and safest option. The customs agency handling your import or export declarations generates the GMR based on the MRN numbers from those declarations. Everything happens automatically — you do not need your own access to GVMS.

A freight forwarder with GVMS access

Large freight forwarding companies often have their own access to GVMS and generate a GMR for the loads they handle. However, make sure the forwarder has all the MRN numbers — without them, the GMR will be incomplete.

The importer/exporter directly

This is possible if you have a GB EORI number and a Government Gateway account on gov.uk. It requires some familiarity with the system, but it is free. Details in section 4.

Key condition: Every party generating a GMR must hold an active GB EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification). Without a GB EORI number, registration in the GVMS system is not possible.

4. How to get a GMR step by step

Below we describe the process of generating a GMR yourself through the gov.uk portal. If you use Easy Clearance's services, we carry out this process for you — you just need to send us the documents.

1. Complete the customs declarations and obtain the MRN numbers
   Before generating a GMR, you must have lodged and accepted customs declarations for all the consignments on the lorry. Each declaration generates an MRN (Master Reference Number) — these are the numbers that go into the GMR.
2. Log in to GVMS on gov.uk
   Go to gov.uk/guidance/register-for-the-goods-vehicle-movement-service and log in with a Government Gateway account. If you don't have one, register — it's free.
3. Create a new "movement"
   In the GVMS system, click "Create a new movement". Choose the port of departure/entry and the planned date and time of the border crossing.
4. Add the MRN numbers for all the consignments
   Enter each MRN number separately. The system will verify whether the declarations are correct and accepted. Remember: every consignment must have its own MRN — a missing MRN means being held at the border.
5. Generate the GMR and send it to the driver
   Once all the MRNs have been added, the system automatically generates the GMR number. Send it to the driver by SMS or email — the driver must have it with them (printed or on their phone) when entering the port terminal.

Generation time: 5–15 minutes after the customs declarations have been lodged. When using Easy Clearance, the process is integrated — the GMR is generated automatically once the declarations are accepted by HMRC.

5. How much does a GMR number cost?

The cost of a GMR depends on who generates it:

The ranges given are indicative — an exact quote is provided after documents are submitted. Check our full UK customs clearance price list.

GMR handling and GVMS registration are provided by Easy Clearance — UK customs agency.

6. GMR vs IBF (inventory-linked ports) and EIDR

Not all UK ports use the GVMS system. Some ports — especially those handling mainly containers and full-load goods (FTL) — use the IBF (Inventory-Based Frontier) system instead.

At IBF ports, instead of a GMR number, the driver needs an entry in that port's inventory system (e.g. Destin8, CHIEF inventory). The process differs from GVMS, but the purpose is the same — linking customs declarations to a specific shipment.

Another element of the UK customs system is EIDR (Entry in Declarant's Records) — a procedure allowing goods to cross the border without a prior customs declaration (the declaration is lodged post-arrival). EIDR is only permitted for authorised declarants and does not remove the requirement to hold a GMR.

Easy Clearance handles both GVMS and IBF ports — contact us to find out which system applies to your cargo.

7. The most common GMR mistakes

Based on our day-to-day work with clients, we have identified the mistakes that most often cause problems at the border:

1. An expired GMR

A GMR is valid for 24 hours from the planned time of entry to the terminal. Transport delays, lorry breakdowns or route changes can mean the driver arrives after this time has passed. Solution: generate the GMR as late as possible (ideally the day before departure, not a week earlier) and monitor the transport's timing.

2. A missing or incorrect MRN in the GMR

If there are consignments on the lorry that have not been added to the GMR (no MRN), a customs officer can hold up the entire shipment. Make sure the GMR contains MRN numbers for all the consignments on that vehicle.

3. The wrong EORI number when registering with GVMS

It sometimes happens that a company holds both a GB EORI and an EU EORI and confuses them when registering. GVMS requires only a GB EORI number — one starting with "GB".

4. An incorrect lorry registration number

A GMR is linked to a specific vehicle. If the lorry changes at the last minute (breakdown, trailer swap), the GMR must be updated with the correct registration number. Without this change, the system will not recognise the vehicle at the gate.

5. Generating a GMR before the customs declaration has been lodged

A GMR without active MRNs is an empty number — the GVMS system will not confirm the legality of the shipment. The order is always the same: first the customs declaration, then the GMR.

Frequently asked questions