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Transit is a customs procedure that allows goods which are not in free circulation to move within the UK or EU, while customs duties or other charges are suspended. 

Once transit goods arrive at a destination, the goods must be presented to customs at the office of destination and the movement discharged and an import declaration lodged.

There are two main types of transit declaration, this being a T1 and a T2.

What is a ‘T1’?

The movement of goods that start in Great Britain will usually have T1 status as such will be declared in this way. 

Similarly, goods that are not in free circulation but start in Northern Ireland will also be given T1 status.

What is a ‘T2’?

Movements that start in Northern Ireland will be defined as T2 status if the goods are in free circulation.  Additionally, movement of goods that start within the EU (including Ireland) will be classed as T2 status.

How can CustomsLink help?

At CustomsLink, we make it our business to sort out the customs side of things for you - saving you time, money, stress and hair follicles. 

We can help by:

  1. Offering T1 and T2 status transit declarations to our customers. 
  2. Processing transit declarations for customers who have filed their export declaration with another broker, as long as they provide the SAD document.
  3. Providing the ‘normal’ and ‘simplified’ procedure of transit for our customers. 

What is the ‘normal’ procedure?

This is where CustomsLink will provide you with a Local Reference Number (LRN), which must be given to the customs office of the correct office of departure (as shown on the transit declaration).  

From here, the transit declaration will be activated and a Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) will be produced. 

What is the ‘simplified’ procedure?

Alternatively, the ‘simplified’ procedure involves our Authorised Consignor Status. This status allows us to activate the TAD in-house which voids the requirement for customers to go to a specific office of departure to activate the transit declaration.


To find out more, get in touch with one of our customs experts today.