Do I Need an EORI?
Yes. To import goods into the UK you must have a UK EORI number. Without it, your shipment will be stopped at the border. The UK importer (consignee) must hold a UK EORI.
First time shipping to the UK? We provide free pre-clearance advisory on the EORI application.
What is CDS?
CDS (Customs Declaration Service) is HMRC's system for filing import and export declarations. It replaced the old CHIEF system for imports in 2022 and for exports in November 2024. Every UK customs declaration is now made via CDS.
Required Documents
A standard Turkey → UK import file contains:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- CMR road waybill (or B/L for sea, AWB for air)
- ATR (preferential trade certificate for Turkey–EU and Turkey–UK)
- Certificate of Origin (when required)
- EORI number (both sides)
- Authorisation document (when using a customs agent)
What is a GVMS GMR?
GVMS (Goods Vehicle Movement Service) is the UK system that links customs declarations to physical vehicle movements at RoRo ports. Every trailer arriving at ferry ports like Dover must have a GMR (Goods Movement Reference) before it embarks.
We prepare the GMR on your behalf: it is generated before the trailer reaches Dover and shared with the driver. A trailer without a GMR is not loaded onto the ferry.
When is T1 Transit Needed?
T1 is used under the Common Transit Convention to defer customs duties while goods transit through the EU or UK. A trailer leaving Turkey and crossing the EU on its way to the UK typically moves under a T1.
ATR and Duty Advantage
Under the Turkey–UK Free Trade Agreement, most industrial products attract a zero import duty rate. To benefit, the ATR certificate is mandatory. Without an ATR, the same goods fall under the standard MFN tariff and incur duty.
Who Manages the Process?
Given the moving parts, most Turkish exporters and UK importers prefer a setup where their freight forwarder works hand-in-hand with the customs team. Our 24/7 customs office at Dover takes on the most demanding part: spotting documentation gaps, classification, ATR verification, MRN tracking.
Practical Tips
Before your first shipment:
- Confirm both EORIs (TR + UK) are active.
- Confirm the ATR is endorsed by Turkish Customs.
- Use complete HS codes (10-digit where possible) on the invoice.
- Avoid vague descriptions like "spare parts" — be specific and detailed.
These four checks dramatically reduce the chance of being held at customs.