GVMS – What It Is and How It Works (GMR)

What GVMS is and what it is for

GVMS is an HMRC service that links customs declarations (and, where applicable, security declarations) to the physical movement of a vehicle across the UK border. Each movement receives a reference number, the GMR (Goods Movement Reference), which is evidence that the goods in the vehicle, trailer or container have the correct declarations in place.

According to HMRC, for imports only movements with a valid GMR can board the vessel. Once the vehicle has embarked, GVMS automatically triggers the arrival of the declarations in CDS, and HMRC carries out checks while the vessel is still crossing.

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Which ports and routes GVMS covers

According to HMRC's official list, ports operate under three models. The list changes, so check it at the source before you travel.

Imports into Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

• GVMS always required (RoRo): Dover, Eurotunnel, Fishguard, Heysham, Holyhead, Liverpool, Pembroke, Newhaven.
• Depends on the ferry operator (carrier) – required or optional: including Birkenhead (Stena Line), Felixstowe (DFDS), Harwich (Stena Line), Hull (P&O), Immingham, Killingholme, Plymouth, Poole and Portsmouth (Brittany Ferries), Teesport, Tilbury 1 and 2 and several others. The full breakdown of operators for each port is on the HMRC list.

Movements to and from Northern Ireland

GVMS is required on routes via Belfast (Stena Line), Larne (P&O, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company) and Warrenpoint (Cronus, CLdN).

Exports from the UK

• Export declaration submitted as "arrived" (before the journey starts): Eurotunnel and, with specified operators, Birkenhead, Dover (Irish Ferries, P&O, DFDS), Fishguard, Heysham, Holyhead, Liverpool, Pembroke.
• "Pre-lodged" export declaration (before arrival at the port), with specified operators: Manchester Ship Canal (Suardiaz), Newhaven (DFDS), Plymouth, Poole and Portsmouth (Brittany Ferries), Tilbury 2 (DFDS).

Who must register and who creates the GMR

According to HMRC, GVMS registration applies to the party responsible for moving the goods across the border – usually the haulier, but a customs agent can also register. You will need a GB EORI number, a Government Gateway account and a business address that matches the one on the Gateway account.

The GMR is created in the GVMS service, and at check-in at the port the ferry or Eurotunnel operator (the carrier) checks that it is valid. We cover the practical details in GMR and GVMS UK – how to get a GMR number and How GVMS works for a haulier.

How the flow works: declarations, GMR, port, status

1. Declarations. Declarations are submitted before the journey: for imports, the MRN from the CDS declaration (or the EORI where an authorised party declares the goods in its own records; for EU–GB movements, optionally the MRN of the ENS declaration); for exports from GB, the DUCR (and the MRN of the exit summary declaration where one is required); for transit, the MRN from NCTS (T1/T2), where import declaration numbers are not added for transit, and for departures from GB the DUCR is in some cases given instead of an MRN. All goods in the vehicle, trailer or container must have a reference.
2. Creating the GMR. In GVMS you enter the vehicle registration number (accompanied movement) or the trailer or container number (unaccompanied movement), together with the declaration numbers. Since September 2025, HMRC guidance has allowed multiple ENS declarations to be added to a single GMR on EU–GB and GB–Northern Ireland routes.
3. Check-in at the port. The ferry or Eurotunnel operator (the carrier) checks that the GMR is valid and checks the vehicle in. Only then can the driver board the ferry or train.
4. Embarkation and checks. Embarkation triggers the arrival of the import declarations in CDS. If an inspection is required, a notification is sent to the person who created the GMR, the driver, the crossing operator and the port.
5. Final status. For imports, a GMR in the "completed" state means the driver can travel on. If a check is required, the GMR remains in the "embarked" state, and the inspection portal shows where to report (the port or an Inland Border Facility).

GMR states according to HMRC

HMRC describes five states: not finalisable (the data needs correcting), open (can be finalised), checked in (the crossing operator has checked the vehicle in), embarked (the goods are on the crossing, awaiting clearance) and completed (the goods can move on). What each of them means in practice is described in GVMS statuses – what they mean operationally, and checking the status in How to check GMR status in GVMS.

GVMS for imports into GB and exports from GB

Imports into the UK

The import declaration is submitted in advance, and the GMR is its proof at check-in. Embarkation notifies CDS that the goods have arrived, and checks are carried out during the crossing.

Exports from the UK

You add the DUCR to the GMR. At "arrived" ports (e.g. Dover, Eurotunnel, Holyhead) the declaration must have P2P (permission to progress) status, and the driver should not travel to the port until the GMR is "open"; embarkation sends the departure message to CDS. At "pre-lodged" ports, check-in triggers the arrival of the declaration in CDS and the risk assessment. HMRC will reject the check-in if an inspection request has been ignored.

The difference between a GMR and an ENS is explained in GMR vs ENS – what is the difference, and the general rules on the GMR number in GMR (Goods Movement Reference) explained.

Common GVMS mistakes

• An incorrect declaration number (MRN, DUCR) in the GMR, or one that does not match the route.
• No reference for all goods in the vehicle, trailer or container – HMRC requires references for the entire load.
• Exports: a DUCR without P2P status at an "arrived" port, so the GMR does not move to the "open" state.
• Travelling to the port before the GMR has reached the required state.
• Ignoring an inspection request – for exports this results in the check-in being rejected.
• Assuming GVMS applies at every port – at some ports it depends on the ferry operator, so check the HMRC list.

You will find a detailed checklist in GMR error before the port – 7 things to check. The rules on security declarations are also explained in ENS, GMR and BTOM.

Need help with the declarations for your GMR?

Import, export and transit declarations on the Poland–UK route are prepared by a UK customs agency registered in CDS (UK EORI number). Contact us.

Frequently asked questions