Pre-lodgement RoRo journeys are unforgiving. The Goods Movement Reference will refuse the pairing if either declaration is missing. Sequencing matters.
Step one: classify the movement
Direct clearance or transit? The answer picks the primary system. The UK NCTS vs CDS guide has the decision framing in one image.
Step two: file the transit declaration first
For transit journeys, NCTS goes in early so the movement reference is live.
Step three: file the CDS entry
Direct clearance leg or destination clearance gets its own CDS entry.
Step four: bind them under the GMR
The Goods Movement Reference is where both records meet. Both must be valid at the moment of creation.
Step five: monitor discharge and clearance separately
Discharge closes NCTS. Clearance closes CDS. Two events, two evidence trails.
Ready to run this without duplicating data entry? Watch a demo.
