What is an Authorised Consignor?

An Authorised Consignor is a business approved by customs authorities to start goods movements by creating Transit Accompanying Documents (TAD) from an authorised location, without having to present the goods at a customs office of departure.

Authorised Consignor status is only granted to businesses that meet strict customs compliance, record-keeping and operational standards. These requirements are closely aligned with those associated with Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status, providing assurance that appropriate customs controls and procedures are in place.

For businesses moving goods regularly between the UK, EU and other Common Transit countries, using an Authorised Consignor can make the customs transit process faster and more efficient, especially avoiding congestion at channel ports such as Dover.

This will become increasingly important from early 2027, when transit facilities at Sevington – the Inland Border Facility (IBF) near the ports of Dover and Folkestone - will no longer be provided. Businesses will need to use an Authorised Consignor or alternative border facilities to start transit movements.

How does an Authorised Consignor work?

Under the standard transit procedure, goods may need to be presented to customs at an office of departure before the transit movement can begin, typically at a channel port or Eurotunnel.

Instead, an Authorised Consignor can start the transit movement from an HMRC approved location, such as the premises of the shipper. Once the necessary customs formalities have been completed and the goods released into transit, the vehicle can depart directly from that location without having to stop at the port of exit.

What are the benefits of using an Authorised Consignor?

The main advantage is the ability to simplify and speed up the start of a customs transit movement.

Avoiding an unnecessary visit to a customs office can help:

• Reduce delays and waiting times, especially at channel ports or Eurotunnel;
• Minimise additional mileage and transport costs;
• Reduce customs administration;
• Provide greater control over vehicle departure times; and
• Improve the efficiency of time-sensitive European road freight.

For businesses with regular cross-border movements, these efficiencies can make a significant difference to overall transit times and supply chain reliability.

Does an Authorised Consignor need a customs guarantee?

Transit movements generally need to be covered by an appropriate customs guarantee. This provides financial security for customs duties and other charges that could become payable while goods are moving under the transit procedure.

The requirements will depend on the nature of the goods, the transit movement and the customs arrangements being used.

Why use Efret as an Authorised Consignor?

Efret has the necessary customs authority and technical platform access to provide an Authorised Consignor service for qualifying transit movements.

As an AEO-accredited customs services provider, Efret combines established compliance procedures with in-house expertise and European road freight operations. This enables us to manage the customs transit process alongside the physical movement of the goods.

For customers moving freight between the UK, EU and other Common Transit countries, this can mean fewer unnecessary customs stops, reduced administration and a more efficient cross-border journey.

Rather than treating customs and transport as separate processes, Efret can help manage both as part of an integrated European road freight solution.

Need help with a customs transit movement?

Get in touch with our team to discover how our authorised consignor, customs clearance and European road freight services can help keep your goods moving.

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