Since Brexit, transport to the UK requires different preparation than shipments within the European Union. In 2026, the procedures are well established, but they still require a complete set of documents prepared in advance. Improvising at the border ends in downtime.
GVMS – the core of the formalities
GVMS (Goods Vehicle Movement Service) is the UK system for handling goods traffic at the border. It links all the required declarations into a single GMR reference number. Every entry into the UK must be registered in this system.
Documents and numbers that must be ready before departure
- the EORI numbers of the seller and the buyer, without which entry into the UK is impossible,
- a commercial invoice with the EORI numbers of both parties,
- a packing list with the shipment details,
- a customs declaration and, for certain goods, an IPAFFS notification and health/phytosanitary certificates,
- an ENS safety and security declaration, which at Jasek Transport we file ourselves as the forwarder,
- a GMR number generated in GVMS before crossing the border.
New in 2026 – Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for drivers
Since February 25, 2026, so-called strict enforcement has applied: all EU citizens who do not need a visa for a short stay in the UK, including professional drivers, must hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). It is an extra formal step that is easy to forget when you only plan the freight side of the transport.
How to avoid downtime at the border
The biggest source of delays is incomplete paperwork put together “at the last minute”. Preparing the GMR number and verifying the EORI numbers of both parties to the transaction before the vehicle leaves, not during the trip, eliminates most typical border problems.
For trade shows in the UK, there is also the ATA Carnet for stand elements, which we describe in our article Trade show transport – on-time logistics for exhibition stands. We write about the formalities in Switzerland in Road transport to Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
Does a GMR number have to be generated for every trip?
Yes, GVMS requires every entry into the UK to be registered. A GMR number is assigned to a specific shipment and is not a one-time number for the whole business relationship.
Does the ETA apply only to drivers or also to owners of transport companies?
It applies to every EU citizen who does not need a visa for a short stay in the UK and physically enters its territory. In practice, that means the drivers carrying out the shipment, not the company as an entity.
What happens if the documents are incomplete at the border?
The vehicle may be held until the formalities are completed. This translates directly into delivery time, which is why putting the documents together in advance is essential, not optional.
Ask us about transport to the UK
We travel to the UK regularly, including after Brexit. We know the current GVMS and ETA requirements, prepare the paperwork in advance and file the ENS declaration ourselves as the forwarder. Call +48 508 546 540 or email jasek@jasek-transport.pl.
Photo: fotocanavera / 123RF
