Unit X. The New Computerised Transit System (ncts)

The New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) is a system of electronic declaration and processing for traders using the Community and common transit procedures.

It is compulsory to make Community and Common Transit declarations using the NCTS. The NCTS is linked to the member states of the European Community (EC) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.

Paper declarations are only allowed during fallback when transit declarations cannot be made on the NCTS system and for private travellers with goods in excess of their allowances.

Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI) number

You must be registered as an Economic Operator, and once registered, use your EORI number on your NCTS declarations. See our guide: Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) Scheme.

Paperwork and processes of the NCTS for the movement of goods in Community or Common Transit

When you enter your Community or Common Transit declaration into the NCTS an electronic message is sent to the customs office of departure. Your goods will need a movement reference number, which is a unique registration number, given by the system to the declaration to identify the movement. The Anticipated Arrival Record (AAR) message is sent by the office of departure to the destination customs office.

Goods moving under Community or Common Transit must be accompanied by a Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) in case the goods are diverted or there are any incidents during transit. The TAD can be printed out at the customs office of departure or, if authorised, at your own premises. TADs are authenticated by the system and do not need to be stamped by customs. When the goods arrive at the destination country, it is important that the TAD is presented to customs at the office of destination, so that they can inform the NCTS that the goods have arrived. NCTS simplified procedure for outbound goods

The NCTS allows authorised consignors to:

declare goods to Community or Common Transit without presenting them at the office of departure

print the TAD and, where applicable, the list of items at the consignor's premises

remove goods under customs control directly from their authorised location - this could be the authorised consignor's own premises or an approved customs facility such as a warehouse, a Designated Export Place (DEP), Enhanced Remote Transit Shed (ERTS) or other temporary storage facility

have automatic 'timed-out' release of goods, provided that no control decision is taken by the office of departure which may, depending upon the conditions of authorisation, be outside the normal opening hours of the office of destination

NCTS simplified procedure for inbound goods

The NCTS allows authorised consignees to:

receive the goods and documentation direct to their own premises, or another authorised location, ie a port/airport or other approved place such as a customs warehouse, ERTS or other temporary storage facility, without the requirement to present the goods and TAD to customs at the office of destination

send their arrival notification message to the relevant office electronically

receive automatic 'timed-out' permission to unload the goods, provided that the goods are not subject to further controls or inspections by the office of destination which may, depending upon the conditions of authorisation, be outside of the normal opening hours of the office of departure

Exceptions to NCTS

There are some exceptions to NCTS. It has not yet replaced the simplified procedures provided in Commission Regulation 2454/93 (Customs Code Implementing Provisions) for goods moving by air, sea or rail. There are also some exceptions for non-Community goods moving entirely within the UK under the simplified procedures.

EDCS/XML Channel

You can also use EDCS (Electronic Data Capture System) or XML (extensible mark-up language) if you wish to access NCTS using your own software.

Customs Clearance at Ports in South America

Port Handling Procedures for the Container Shipment of a Car