NCTS5 - HMRC Announce Delay to Implementation Date

The implementation of the New Computerised Transit System 5 has been moved back from 16th November 2023 to 1st July 2024.

If you are an NCTS user who moves goods using transit or represent an NCTS user, the following information will be important to you or your client.

The Common Transit Convention (CTC) authority have announced that there will be an extended transition period for the move to NCTS Phase 5 after a number of other countries confirmed they require more time. We have subsequently received a number of formal submissions from industry requesting the UK makes use of this extension.

HMRC has considered these submissions carefully and has decided to extend the deadline based on UK industry views and feedback. They have confirmed that the new date for implementing NCTS5 in the UK will be 1st July 2024.

HMRC recognises the work that has taken place across industry to prepare for the original implementation date of 16th November 2023. However, from listening to the views of stakeholders it is clear that there is now strong support for a later implementation date, to give industry additional time to prepare.

When completed, the upgrade will allow traders to amend any pre-lodged transit declarations made for countries covered by the CTC, which currently allows a 30-day window in which traders can lodge a declaration ahead of a goods movement.

The ability to update customs information such as EORI numbers, which traders may not already have access to, should allow admin to be carried out more efficiently.

What happens now?

HMRC advises that you should continue to use the current NCTS system until the cutover to NCTS5 on 1st July 2024.

The HMRC Trader Test environment remains open and will be switched into Transitional mode on 11th October 2023, as planned. Those who are building software should continue with development and testing to align with the revised implementation date.

HMRC will continue to work closely with stakeholders to support their preparations and will continue to issue regular email updates about NCTS5.