When exporting goods from the United Kingdom to the European Union, a T1 transit declaration is often essential. This customs procedure allows the movement of goods subject to customs duties without paying them immediately.
At Simple Duty LTD, part of the Proste Cło Group, we offer full support in preparing and managing T1 transit declarations both in the UK and across the EU.

🔍 What Is a T1 Transit Declaration?

A T1 transit declaration is a customs document submitted under the Common Transit Convention (CTC). It allows goods to move between customs offices in countries that are signatories to the convention on common transit procedures, including the UK, EU Member States, and EFTA countries.

Transit secures the payment of customs and tax liabilities until the goods reach their final destination, where they are placed under a subsequent customs procedure (e.g., release for free circulation, temporary storage, inward processing).
🔐 At Simple Duty LTD, we provide the required financial guarantees on behalf of our clients, enabling fast and compliant initiation of transit movements.

🌍 Why Is a T1 Transit Declaration Required from the UK?

Since Brexit, the United Kingdom has become a third country in relation to the EU. This means that goods moving from the UK to the EU are considered non-EU goods, and as such, customs and tax liabilities must be secured until they are properly cleared in the destination country.

If the goods are not cleared immediately at the point of entry into the EU—most commonly in Calais, France—they must move under the T1 transit procedure to their final place of clearance (e.g., a bonded warehouse, customs importer, or final consignee).

🛠 How Can a T1 Transit Declaration Be Submitted in the UK?

✅ 1. T1 Transit via the UK NCTS System

This is the most common approach:

  • The transit declaration is submitted through the UK NCTS system,
  • The goods must be presented at a UK customs office of departure, such as an Inland Border Facility (IBF) – for example, Ashford when traveling through France,
  • Alternatively, if the consignor has Authorised Consignor status, the transit procedure can be initiated directly at the point of loading.

✅ 2. T1 Transit via an EU Member State’s NCTS – e.g. Delta T in France

If the transit is not started in the UK, it can be initiated in the NCTS system of an EU Member State at the point where the goods enter the EU.
In France, this is done via the national interface Delta T, which allows the transit to begin immediately after crossing the border, e.g., in the port of Calais.

🟢 For our clients, we can submit a T1 declaration via Delta T in France, provided the goods enter the EU through a French port.

The advantage of this solution is significant time savings – the driver does not need to visit a UK Inland Border Facility (such as Ashford) to present the goods and wait for the T1 to be released in the UK NCTS.
Instead, after loading in the UK, the driver can go straight to the EU border, and the transit starts on the EU side – eliminating delays and reducing costs.

🧾 What Is Required for a T1 Transit Declaration?

To prepare a valid T1 declaration, the following data is needed:

  • Exporter and importer details (including EORI numbers),
  • Description of the goods: name, CN code, weight, number and type of packages,
  • Export document (EAD),
  • Mode of transport and planned route,
  • Delivery address or final customs clearance location,
  • Transit guarantee – which we provide on behalf of our clients.

🤝 How We Support Our Clients

With a fully integrated setup between Simple Duty LTD (UK) and Proste Cło (EU), we offer:

  • Preparation and submission of T1 transit declarations in the UK,
  • Presentation of goods at Ashford IBF or support in obtaining Authorised Consignor status,
  • Provision of required transit guarantees,
  • Filing of T1 declarations via Delta T in France,
  • Monitoring of the transit process and closure status,
  • Comprehensive import and export clearance services in both the UK and the EU.

This enables us to provide end-to-end customs support, no matter the direction, route, or complexity of your shipment.

We operate 24/7, including weekends and public holidays.