An unclosed T1 means the office of departure has not received confirmation that the goods arrived at the office of destination, so the transit has not been discharged in NCTS. Check the MRN, the time limit and the destination office messages before the guarantee stays blocked.
Contents
An unclosed T1 is one of those problems that can look like a "minor technicality" for a long time and then comes back as a real risk: a blocked guarantee, questions from the authorities and a dispute with your counterparty. The holder of the transit procedure is responsible for producing the goods intact at the office of destination (GOV.UK: Transit Manual Supplement, section 4.3.7).
What it means that a T1 hasn't been closed
A transit movement is discharged (closed) automatically in NCTS only once the office of destination has carried out its checks on the presented goods and MRN and the office of departure has received the results. If that message never arrives, the transit stays "open". For the company this means the matter is not administratively finished and the guarantee stays encumbered until the arrival of the goods is confirmed and the transit is discharged.
What to check first
- The transit MRN - whether the driver presented exactly this number at the office of destination (a paper TAD no longer has to travel with the goods, but the MRN must be shown).
- The time limit for presenting the goods - the office of departure sets it in the declaration; HMRC says it would normally expect a maximum of 8 days for movements to the EU and 4 days for UK movements.
- The office of destination - whether the goods were presented at the office entered in the declaration and whether it confirmed arrival. See how to close a T1 in Poland and whether you can close a T1 at any customs office.
- Data consistency - whether the movement data (goods, number of packages, seals) matched the actual load.
- The transit partner - whether the carrier or agent passed on full information about completing the movement.
What happens while the transit is still open
In NCTS an "expected arrival" timer starts when the movement is released. Its expiry activates the enquiry procedure, and in the UK HMRC needs to receive an enquiry message (IE142) before it can start official investigations. If the timer has been exceeded, the declarant should contact HMRC (GOV.UK: Transit Manual Supplement, section 4.8). The sooner you reconstruct the proof of delivery (CMR signed by the consignee, unloading confirmation, MRN), the easier it is to close the case.
The most common sources of the problem
Incorrect data in the declaration, a gap on the operational side (goods unloaded without being presented at the customs office) or no clear information flow between the carrier, the agent and the company. Changing the route or the office of destination without updating the declaration is also common. For the full paperwork list see what documents are needed for T1.
Summary
With T1 it is not enough to assume that "it's already gone through". You need to be sure the procedure has been closed in the system. If you would like us to check a specific transit case, send us the details to verify.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Transit Manual Supplement - Common/Union Transit
- European Commission: NCTS
- GOV.UK: CTC using GVMS
Related articles
- The T1 document - exporting from the UK to the EU
- NCTS Phase 6 and T1 transit
- The difference between T1 and direct import
Frequently asked questions
When is a T1 considered closed?
When the goods and MRN have been presented at the office of destination and the office of departure has received the control results in NCTS. The transit is then discharged automatically and the guarantee liability is released.
How do I know whether a transit is still open?
Usually there is no discharge message in NCTS after the time limit for presenting the goods has passed, or the authority sends an enquiry. Check the status with the declarant, carrier or agent who opened the transit, using the MRN.
How long do goods have to reach the office of destination?
The office of departure sets the limit in the declaration. HMRC says it would normally expect a maximum of 8 days for movements to the EU and 4 days for UK movements, and the declarant should provide the information needed to set a realistic limit.
What should I do if the goods were unloaded without closing the T1?
Collect proof of delivery (CMR signed by the consignee, unloading documents, MRN) and contact the declarant and the office of departure or HMRC. The earlier you do this, the easier it is to explain the case before a formal enquiry begins.
Who is responsible for an unclosed transit?
The holder of the transit procedure is responsible for producing the goods intact at the office of destination. Agree in writing with the carrier and consignee who will present the goods and the MRN.
Related guides
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