The workflow in four gates
A trailer becomes ready to board only when four gates pass in order: export declaration lodged, transit MRN issued, import declaration pre-lodged, and safety and security reference attached. Anything less is an incomplete GMR.
Gate-by-gate logic
Gate one closes when CDS accepts the export declaration and returns a valid MRN. Gate two closes when NCTS Phase 5 issues the transit MRN and the departure office releases the movement. Gate three closes when the EU-side import declaration is pre-lodged. Gate four closes when the safety and security data — embedded or separate — carries a valid reference. Full sequencing is documented in this 2026 UK transit customs handbook.
Where the workflow breaks
Most rejections come from parallel steps started too early. Filing a GMR before the transit MRN exists produces a stub reference that fails at the port. The fix is a strict gate order and a single owner per GMR.
FAQ
Should the driver ever hold a paper backup?
The MRN barcode on the TAD is the operational document; a driver-side copy is common practice.
Can gates run in parallel?
Some can, but the GMR should not be committed until every gate has closed.
See the whole workflow in one screen. Watch a demo with iCustoms.
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