UK Safety and Security Declaration / HMRC Entry Summary Declaration: FAQs

What is a Safety and Security Declaration/Entry Summary Declaration?

A Safety and Security Declaration (SSD), or Entry Summary Declaration (ENS), is a pre-arrival notification required for most goods entering Great Britain. It provides UK customs authorities with essential information about the goods being imported, allowing them to assess potential risks before the goods enter the country. This measure improves border security and ensures compliance with safety, security, and customs regulations. This declaration is submitted electronically to HMRC through an IT platform called Safety and Security Great Britain (S&S GB).

The ENS is separate from the import customs declaration and does not involve duties or taxes. It focuses on security and safety aspects, helping to prevent illicit goods like drugs and weapons from entering the UK while ensuring that legitimate goods are not stopped for unnecessary checks.

What is the difference between an ENS and an EXS declaration?

While both ENS and EXS declarations fall under Safety and Security Declarations (SSD), they serve different purposes.

• ENS (Entry Summary Declaration): This is required for goods entering the UK. It provides pre-arrival information to customs authorities, allowing them to assess risks and ensure compliance before the goods arrive.
• EXS (Exit Summary Declaration): This is required for goods exiting the UK. It provides pre-departure information to customs authorities, serving a similar purpose as the ENS but for outbound shipments.

The EXS is usually included in the export declaration but is also required for specific situations like transporting empty reusable packaging materials.

Who needs to submit a Safety and Security Declaration/Entry Summary Declaration?

The legal responsibility for submitting an ENS lies with the company or individual responsible for transporting the goods, often referred to as the “carrier”. This means:

• Goods moving by rail: The rail freight operator is responsible.
• Goods moving by air: The airline is responsible.
• Goods moving by sea: The shipping company is responsible.
• Goods moving by RoRo (accompanied): The haulage company is responsible.
• Goods moving by RoRo (unaccompanied): The ferry operator is responsible.
• Goods moving by combined transport: The trucking company is responsible for accompanied vehicles, and the ferry operator is responsible for unaccompanied trailers.

While the carrier is ultimately responsible, an importer or intermediary can submit the ENS on their behalf. However, it’s crucial to establish clear agreements and communication within the supply chain to ensure timely and accurate submissions. To avoid potential issues, it’s recommended to have more than one person in your organization who can access the necessary HMRC services for submitting declarations. This can prevent delays if the primary administrator is unavailable.

When to Submit a Safety and Security Declaration/Entry Summary Declaration?

The ENS must be submitted before the goods arrive in Great Britain. You can submit it up to 200 days in advance. Specific time limits apply depending on the mode of transport, as summarized in the table below:

How to Submit a Safety and Security Declaration/Entry Summary Declaration?

The S&S GB service does not have a user interface, so you’ll need compatible software to submit your ENS as an XML message. You can choose from the following options:

• Develop compatible software in-house.
• Subscribe to a customs declaration platform such as Customs Declarations UK.
• Use a third party, such as a customs agent, to submit the ENS on your behalf.

   

Before submitting your ENS, you’ll need to:

• Obtain a GB EORI number if you don’t already have one. This is essential for submitting customs declarations in the UK. You can obtain a GB EORI number on the government website.
• For goods moving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain or outside the EU, you’ll need an EORI number starting with XI or one issued by an EU member state.

   

You can also submit an Entry Summary Declaration through the Trader Support Service. Businesses can sign up for this service to have them complete entry summary declarations on their behalf.

Amending a Declaration:

You can amend your declaration if any details change or if mistakes were made. However, amendments must be made before the goods arrive at their destination.

‘Do Not Load’ Messages:

It’s important to be aware that UK customs might prevent goods from being loaded onto a vessel based on the risk assessment of the declaration. In such cases, a ‘Do not load’ message will be sent to the ocean carrier, including their EORI number and the transport document number. UK Border Force will then contact the carrier with further instructions.

What information is required for a Safety and Security Declaration/Entry Summary Declaration?

The ENS requires specific data elements to be submitted. From 31 January 2025, the dataset was reduced to 20 mandatory fields and 8 conditional fields (required only in certain circumstances). The remaining 9 fields are optional.

Conditional Fields

Optional Fields

What are the penalties for non-compliance with Safety and Security Declaration/Entry Summary Declaration requirements?

Non-compliance with ENS requirements can lead to several consequences.

• Delays at the border: Your goods may be held for further checks, causing delays in customs clearance.
• Fines: You may be subject to financial penalties for failing to submit the ENS or providing inaccurate information.
• Refusal of entry: In some cases, your goods may be denied entry into Great Britain.

The Administrative Compliance Review Board (ACRB) advises the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement on administrative cases and helps ensure fair and consistent enforcement policies. In some cases, Temporary Denial Orders (TDOs) may be issued to deny export privileges and prevent imminent violations.

It’s crucial to ensure timely and accurate ENS submissions to avoid these penalties and maintain a smooth import process.

How Customs Declarations UK Can Help

Customs Declarations UK offers a user-friendly platform that simplifies the process of submitting ENS declarations. Their platform provides several benefits:

• Automated data entry: Reduces manual input and errors, improving efficiency and accuracy.
• Real-time compliance checks: Ensures your declarations meet the latest standards.
• Fast submission: Allows you to submit ENS declarations quickly and efficiently.
• Integration with existing systems: Enables automated submission through API capabilities.
• Real-time notifications: Keeps you informed about the status of your declarations.
• Expert support: Provides guidance and assistance from a team of customs experts.

By using Customs Declarations UK, you can streamline your import processes, ensure compliance with UK regulations, and avoid potential penalties.

Customs Declarations UK offers various pricing plans to suit different business needs. We offer both Pay-As-You-Go and Subscription models for their ENS service. You can choose the plan that best fits your declaration volume and budget.

In addition to ENS submissions, Customs Declarations UK provides a range of customs-related services, including:

• Customs Declarations: Support for both import and export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
• Integration with CSPs: Integration with leading Community Service Providers (CSPs) like MCP, CNS, and CCS-UK.

Following are some of the benefits of the platform:

• Flexible Pricing: Various pricing options to suit different needs and volumes.
• No Hidden Fees: Transparent pricing with no sign-up charges or hidden fees.
• Customer Support: Access to tutorials, blogs, and customer support for assistance.

You can find detailed information about their pricing plans and services on the Customs Declarations UK website.

Goods Exempt from Safety and Security Declarations

While most goods imported into Great Britain require a Safety and Security Declaration, some goods are exempt from this requirement. These include:

• Electrical energy
• Goods entering by pipeline
• Letters, postcards, and printed material, including those on electronic media
• Goods in a traveler’s personal luggage
• Goods declared to customs orally
• Postal consignments being transported under UPU convention rules

Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) and Safety and Security Declarations

The Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) is used to move goods into or out of the UK through ports that use the service. While not mandatory, businesses can include safety and security declaration reference numbers in the GVMS when moving goods into Great Britain. For goods moving into Northern Ireland, including these numbers in the GVMS is recommended.

Arrived Export Declarations

An arrived export declaration is required before moving goods from certain locations. This declaration specifies the locations where it’s needed and provides guidance on where to take the goods for checks if required.

Safety and Security Declarations for the Isle of Man

From 31 January 2025, all goods imported from the EU to the Isle of Man require safety and security declarations. Before this date, a waiver was in place, exempting EU imports from this requirement. Most goods are imported to the Isle of Man via the United Kingdom first, and in those cases, an ENS is required when the goods arrive in the UK.

What are the different modes of transport covered by Safety and Security Declarations?

Safety and Security Declarations cover various modes of transport:

• Road: This includes goods transported by road vehicles, including those using the Eurotunnel.
• Rail: Goods transported by rail, including those traveling through the Channel Tunnel.
• Sea: Goods transported by sea, including deep-sea container cargo, bulk cargo, and short sea voyages.
• Air: Goods transported by air, including short-haul and long-haul flights.
• RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off): This includes accompanied and unaccompanied goods transported on ferries.