ENS
More guidance from HMRC: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-an-entry-summary-declaration
What is Safety and Security / ENS?
Traders moving goods into Great Britain need to make an entry summary (ENS) declaration.
The MRN is a Safety and Security generated reference number that is automatically allocated after a successful validation. The MRN must be issued to the carrier and, where different, the declarant.
The ENS must be lodged before goods arrive into the UK, and before loading in the case of maritime deep-sea containerised shipping.
When to submit
Depending on the type of transport or shipping service you have used, there are different time limits for submitting your declaration.
| How you're shipping goods | When to submit (minimum timing requirement) |
|---|---|
| Maritime containerised cargo | at least 24 hours before loading at the port of departure |
| Maritime bulk or break bulk cargo | at least 4 hours before arrival |
| Roll on roll off (RoRo) - accompanied freight | at least 2 hours before arrival of the ferry operator |
| RoRo - unaccompanied freight | at least 2 hours before arrival of the ferry operator |
| Short sea journeys | at least 2 hours before arrival |
| Short-haul flights - less than 4 hours' duration | at least at the time of actual take-off |
| Long-haul flights | at least 4 hours before arrival |
| Rail and inland waterways | at least 2 hours before arrival |
| Channel Tunnel | at least one hour before arrival at the Eurotunnel terminal by the haulier |
| Road traffic | at least one hour before arrival |
If you're using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS)
The inclusion of any safety and security declaration reference numbers in the Goods Vehicle Movement Service is an optional step. There will be no impact on any vehicles moving without this.