Customs clearance for import and export, Great Britain, EU, Switzerland, Norway

Customs clearance for import and export

Full customs handling built into the transport plan, not a separate hurdle at the very end.

How does OTSL handle customs clearance?

OTSL provides full customs handling as part of the transport plan. We have our own customs agencies in Poland and the United Kingdom. We prepare and supervise documents (T1, EX/EAD, EUR.1, certificates of origin), handle GB/EU/CH/NO clearance, ELO/ENS readiness for UK flows, plus regime 42 and ATA carnets.

Why clearance and when

Customs clearance is required when goods cross the EU customs border, on export outside the Union and import from outside it. This covers the United Kingdom after Brexit, as well as Switzerland and Norway, which are outside the EU.

United Kingdom / Brexit, ELO, ENS, GMR

On the GB route you need safety declarations (ENS), ELO readiness and a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) in the GVMS system. As carrier we prepare the GMR, but we cannot create it without the GB import documents supplied by the sender or client. We clearly split who supplies what.

Regime 42

Regime 42 is an EU import clearance with deferred VAT, goods enter free circulation in one EU country while VAT is settled in the destination country. It applies when import is combined with an intra-EU supply.

Document	What it is	When needed
T1	Transit document for non-EU goods under the transit procedure.	When goods move through the EU without import clearance en route.
T2	Transit document for goods with EU status.	Transit of EU goods, e.g. through EFTA countries.
EX / EAD	Export declaration/document (EAD accompanies the shipment).	When exporting goods outside the EU customs territory.
EUR.1	Movement certificate confirming preferential origin.	To use customs preferences (e.g. EU-UK under the agreement).
Certificate of origin	Certificate of origin (non-preferential).	When the import country requires proof of origin.
ATA	ATA Carnet, temporary admission without duty or VAT.	Goods, equipment, samples returning unchanged.

Document

What it is

When needed

Transit document for non-EU goods under the transit procedure.

When goods move through the EU without import clearance en route.

Transit document for goods with EU status.

Transit of EU goods, e.g. through EFTA countries.

EX / EAD

Export declaration/document (EAD accompanies the shipment).

When exporting goods outside the EU customs territory.

EUR.1

Movement certificate confirming preferential origin.

To use customs preferences (e.g. EU-UK under the agreement).

Certificate of origin

Certificate of origin (non-preferential).

When the import country requires proof of origin.

ATA

ATA Carnet, temporary admission without duty or VAT.

Goods, equipment, samples returning unchanged.

Clearance to the UK, 5 steps

Enquiry and documents

We collect shipment data and the document list; we set who supplies what.

Export clearance (EU)

We prepare the export declaration (EX/EAD) and origin documents.

Safety and GMR

We file the ENS and prepare the GMR in GVMS based on GB documents.

Border and crossing

The driver crosses with the GMR; we coordinate the Dunkirk-Dover crossing.

Import clearance (GB) and delivery

We finalise the GB import and deliver, with the UK warehouse if needed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you clear customs to the UK?

You need an EU export declaration (EX/EAD), an ENS safety declaration, GB import documents and a GMR in GVMS. OTSL prepares the GMR as carrier, based on the GB documents provided by the sender/client.

What is the GMR and who creates it?

The GMR (Goods Movement Reference) is the UK GVMS movement number the driver uses to cross the border. The carrier (OTSL) prepares it, but it requires the GB import documents from the sender or client.

What documents are needed to export to the UK?

Usually: a commercial invoice, an export declaration (EX/EAD), EUR.1 or a certificate of origin if preferences apply, an ENS, and GB import documents. The scope depends on the goods and procedure.

What is regime 42?

It is an EU import clearance with deferred VAT, goods enter free circulation in one EU country while VAT is settled in the destination country, when import is combined with an intra-EU supply.

Do you clear goods to Switzerland and Norway?

Yes. Switzerland and Norway are outside the EU, so we run transport together with clearance, including the e-dec system on the Swiss side and VOEC handling for Norway where it applies.

How long does clearance take?

It depends on document completeness and the route. With documents prepared correctly, clearance does not hold up transport, which is why we plan it ahead, as part of the job. [[TO CONFIRM: typical times]]