What Is a T1 Transit Document?
The T1 transit document is a customs document used under the Common Transit Convention (CTC) to move non-Union goods across one or more customs territories without paying import duties or VAT at each border. The duties are only payable — if at all — once the goods are declared for import at the office of destination.
T1 is most commonly used for goods that are:
- Travelling from a non-EU/non-UK origin (for example Türkiye, China or the USA) through the EU into the UK, or vice versa
- Moving across multiple EU member states before being released into free circulation
- In temporary storage and being moved between customs warehouses
A close relative, the T2, is used for Union goods moving through a non-EU CTC country (such as Switzerland or Norway).
Who Uses T1?
The Common Transit Convention covers the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Türkiye, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine. Any movement that crosses one or more of these borders can use T1 instead of declaring full import at each entry point.
Typical T1 users include:
- Türkiye–UK road freight moving via the EU
- UK–EU–third-country exports passing through the EU under transit
- Sea or air freight continuing inland from the port of arrival under customs control
- Bonded warehouse movements between approved premises
How a T1 Movement Works
A T1 movement always has an office of departure (where the T1 is opened), one or more offices of transit (border crossings), and an office of destination (where the T1 is discharged).
- Open the T1. The declaration is lodged on the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) at the office of departure. A unique Movement Reference Number (MRN) is issued.
- Secure with a guarantee. A financial transit guarantee is required to cover the duties and VAT at risk during the movement. This is provided by an approved guarantor.
- Move the goods. The driver carries the Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) with the MRN. At each office of transit, the MRN is scanned and the movement is updated electronically.
- Discharge the T1. At the office of destination, the goods are presented and the T1 is discharged. The goods can then be declared for import, placed in customs warehousing, or moved onwards.
If the T1 is not discharged correctly, the guarantor — and ultimately the principal — becomes liable for the secured duties. That makes accurate discharge as important as opening the movement.
T1, GVMS and the UK Border
When a T1 movement enters or leaves the UK by RoRo (for example via Dover, Folkestone, Holyhead or Harwich), the haulier also needs a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) on GVMS. The T1 MRN is attached to the GMR alongside any other import or export declarations.
Without a valid GMR linked to the T1 MRN, the vehicle will not be allowed to board at the UK end or to clear the UK frontier in either direction.
How We Help
We open, monitor and discharge T1 / T2 transit movements on NCTS, arrange the transit guarantee, and build the GVMS GMR for the RoRo crossing — so your trailer, paperwork and clearance all line up at the right time. If you also need road freight from origin to destination, our Freight Forwarding service combines everything under a single quote.
Need a T1 quickly? Contact us with your invoice, route and means of transport — we will return a no-obligation quote and timeline.