GB SAFETY & SECURITY
In the context of international trade, it is imperative for businesses to comprehend the safety and security requirements for importing and exporting goods in the UK. These regulations, effective 31 January 2025, guarantee adherence to stringent GB safety & security standards for all goods entering or leaving the british territory.
In this blog we will go through the following topics:
GB Safety and Security: Importing goods to the UK
When importing goods into the UK, businesses are required to comply with the entry summary declaration (ENS) requirements. The ENS, overseen by the Safety and Security Great Britain (S&S GB) service, provides essential information about the imported goods, ensuring they meet the requisite safety and security standards.
Key responsibilities include:
- Carrier’s Obligation: The carrier of the goods, whether a trucking company or ferry operator, is responsible for submitting the ENS. If the goods are transported on an unaccompanied trailer or container, the ferry’s operator must submit the declaration.
- Third-Party Submission: Carriers can authorize third parties to submit the ENS on their behalf, provided they share the necessary conveyance and routing information.
- Required Data Elements: Essential information includes the carrier’s EORI number, mode of transport at the border, nationality of the active means of transport, expected date and time of arrival, and specific identification codes such as the IMO vessel number or flight number.

GB Safety and Security: Exporting Goods from the UK
To ensure compliance with GB security and safety standards when exporting UK goods globally, it is s crucial to be aware of the required documentation. The exit summary declaration, which serves a similar purpose to the entry summary declaration, is mandatory for goods leaving the UK territory.
The exit summary declaration (EXS) is needed in the following scenarios:
- Goods remain in temporary storage for more than 14 days.
- Details of the import safety and security declaration are unknown, or the consignee/destination changes within 14 days.
- Goods are moved under specific transit procedures such as the Transit Accompanying Document (TAD), Transit Security Accompanying Document (TSAD), or TIR Carnet Document.
Exemptions to the EXS Requirement
Certain goods and situations are exempt from standalone EXS requirements, including:
- Empty pallets, containers, or vehicles under transport contracts.
- Outbound inter-port transshipments under a single transport contract within 14 days of arrival.
- Goods moved through freeports with accurate safety and security information and exported within 14 days.
- Goods leaving by pipeline or contained in travelers’ baggage.
- Electrical energy or sea-fishing products taken from UK waters and landed abroad.
How Customs Complete can help?
Understanding the changes regarding safety and security requirements on imports and exports can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Customs Complete, we specialize in helping businesses adapt to new regulations and optimize their customs processes.
If you need assistance with specific import declarations, like the entry summary declaration or the exit summary declaration, our Customs Complete team is available 24/7. We ensure your declarations align with the safety and security requirements for imports and exports.