If you drive goods between the EU and Great Britain through Dover or the Channel Tunnel, two references now decide whether your lorry boards on time: the GMR and the ENS. Get either one wrong and the load can be refused at check-in or sent to an inland border facility. This guide explains what each one is, who is responsible for it and how they fit together, in plain English.
The short version
- ENS (entry summary declaration) – a safety and security declaration for goods coming into Great Britain. It has been required for EU-to-GB imports since 31 January 2025. The carrier is legally responsible for it.
- GMR (goods movement reference) – a single reference created in HMRC’s Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS). It links all the declarations for the goods on one vehicle or trailer, and you show it at the port before you board.
- The two meet in GVMS: when you create the GMR, you can add the ENS (safety and security) reference to it.
What is a GMR?
A GMR is created in the Goods Vehicle Movement Service. You need to register for GVMS first. The person moving the goods creates the GMR and shows it at the port of departure. The carrier, for example the ferry company or Eurotunnel, uses it to decide whether the vehicle can board.
According to GOV.UK, a GMR usually needs:
- the vehicle registration (accompanied loads) or the trailer or container number (unaccompanied loads)
- the references for every consignment on board – import or export declaration numbers (MRNs, DUCRs), transit MRNs or carnet numbers
- an EORI number, for some authorised traders
One missing declaration on a groupage load means the GMR is not complete. That is the most common reason a mixed load gets held up.
What is an ENS?
The ENS is a safety and security declaration that tells HMRC what is arriving before it gets here. Since 31 January 2025 it has been needed for goods coming from the EU into Great Britain. GOV.UK says the carrier is responsible for making sure it is submitted, but the carrier can use a third party, such as a customs agent, to file it. It goes through HMRC’s Safety and Security GB service and must be made before the goods arrive. See GOV.UK’s guide to making an entry summary declaration.
How the GMR and the ENS fit together
When you create the GMR in GVMS, you can add the safety and security reference numbers to it, and more than one if the vehicle carries several consignments. GOV.UK points out a few traps on its safety and security declarations page:
- the same safety and security MRN cannot be added twice to one GMR
- if you add it to more than one GMR, the haulier gets an error
- if you remove it from a GMR, it cannot be reused and a new ENS is needed
At Dover and Eurotunnel
For arrivals into Great Britain, check in GVMS whether the vehicle has to report for inspection. GOV.UK says that for Dover and Eurotunnel this means going to an inland border facility, not stopping at the port. Goods can also be stopped by Border Force, and not following HMRC instructions can lead to a penalty of up to £2,500.
A checklist before the lorry leaves
- Export declaration done at origin for every consignment (and transit document if the load moves under T1).
- ENS submitted before arrival in Great Britain, by the carrier or their agent.
- UK import declaration ready, or the correct transit or other procedure in place.
- GMR created in GVMS with all references, including the safety and security numbers.
- Driver has the GMR and knows to check whether an inspection is needed on arrival.
What about household removals?
GOV.UK says a GMR is not needed for personal goods, or for commercial goods carried in your baggage. A removal van carrying someone’s whole home is a different matter: it needs the right customs declarations, and relief from import duty depends on meeting the transfer of residence rules. Read our UK Customs Guide 2026 and how to bring your belongings into the UK without paying import duty.
Need help with GMRs, ENS or declarations?
MoveDay Removals prepares import and export declarations, ENS, GMRs, T1 transit documents and customs barcodes (from £130) for hauliers, forwarders and businesses that move their own goods. We are based in Ashford, Kent, close to Dover and the Eurotunnel, and work across the UK and Europe. See our customs services.
Website: https://movedayremovals.com
Phone: 07378 626882
Email: office@movedayremovals.co.uk
This article is general guidance, correct as of October 2026, based on GOV.UK. Customs rules change, so always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK before you travel.