Apply for authorised consignor or consignee status
How to apply to become an authorised consignor or consignee, and get authorised for other transit simplifications.
Who can apply
If you move goods regularly using transit, you can apply for authorised consignor and authorised consignee status.
What you’ll need
You’ll need:
- to be established in one of the Common Transit Convention countries
- your EORI number
- your VAT registration number
- the name and date of birth of the nominated person in your organisation who will account for your company’s compliance with customs regulations
- details of any offences committed against customs or tax legislation in the UK or any other countries
- details of the customs and IT systems used to control the movement of goods under transit, and the accompanying record keeping systems for these movements
In most cases you’ll also need to provide:
- the date you started using the transit procedure
- evidence of how often you send or receive goods
- the number of operations you carry out each year
If you use a transport carrier or intermediary bound to a carrier
You must send HMRC copies of your contracts or other evidence of the contractual relationship. You can include these documents when you apply.
You must also include a hard copy specimen of your manifest if you’re:
- going to use the simplified procedure for air or sea traffic, either the paper manifest or the electronic transport document
- using consignor or consignee status in Northern Ireland and bringing your goods in by sea
Check which forms you need
You may need to complete more than one form to make an application.
You can apply for both authorised consignor and consignee status at the same time.
Authorised consignor applications
You must complete:
- Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343)
- Consignor questionnaire (C1343a)
Authorised consignee applications
You must complete:
- Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343)
- Consignee questionnaire (C1343b)
Applying for Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) status as an authorised consignee
You must complete:
- Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343)
- Consignee questionnaire (C1343c)
Other simplifications you can apply for
Find out more about other simplifications you can apply for at the same time as consignor or consignee status.
Apply to use your own seals
You can also use the Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343) to apply to use your own seals. You should include any supporting evidence.
If your application is rejected, you will be sent a pre-notification ‘Right to be Heard’ letter, which will explain the reasons why.
How to apply
You need to:
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Download and save the forms you need on your computer.
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Open them using the the latest free version of Adobe Reader.
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Complete them on-screen.
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Send the completed forms, with any additional paperwork, to the address shown on the application form.
Read the accessibility statement for HMRC forms.
Email HMRC to ask for these forms in Welsh.
The form may not work if you try to open it in your internet browser. If the form does not open, contact online services support for more help.
If you’re applying as a rail freight operator
You can find guidance in the Transit Manual Supplement on:
- the paper manifest procedure
- how to apply to the Central Community Transit Office
If you’re a pipeline operator
Contact your HMRC Customer Compliance Manager, if you want to use the simplification for fixed transport operations.
Help and support
You can find out more about authorised consignor and consignee status in the Transit Manual Supplement.
If you have a question about authorised consignor or consignee status and cannot find an answer in GOV.UK guidance, you can email: [email protected].
Updates to this page
Published 4 April 2014Last updated 1 March 2024 + show all updates
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Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343) has been updated.
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Information has been added explaining you can also use the Application for transit and other simplifications (C1343) to apply to use your own seals.
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Guidance on adding a location to an existing authorisation has been moved to 'Apply to add a location to a consignor or consignee authorisation'.
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If you're applying for authorised consignee status, your approved temporary storage location can now be either an external temporary storage facility, or an authorised consignee temporary storage facility. Forms C1343, C1343a, C1343b, C1343c, C1343d have also been updated to reflect you can now operate an authorised consignee temporary storage facility. The guidance has also been updated about applying for authorised consignor status, and what will happen after you’ve applied for either status.
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You cannot use the online service to apply for transit simplifications, consignor or consignee status, and new temporary storage rules for authorised consignees have been delayed. We'll publish updated guidance in due course.
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Information about new temporary storage rules for authorised consignees that will apply from April 2022 has been updated.
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Information about new temporary storage rules for authorised consignees has been added.
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Form C1343 has been updated.
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New information about checking for additional forms which may be needed has been added to the 'How to apply' section.
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This page has been updated because the Brexit transition period has ended.
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First published.