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17/12/2020
One thing that will not change after Brexit is the need foraMRN. Both the Customs Authorities in the European Union and the Customs Authority in the United Kingdom will keep issuing MRN’s. So, what is an MRN?
What is an MRN?
MRN stands for Movement Reference Number. The Customs Authority issues a Movement Reference Number (MRN) in each member state. The MRN number is the customs registration number that enables the customs authority to identify and process your shipment in the customs system. It is the primary reference for customs declarations and the most important link with your goods. Each time an import or export declaration is submitted to any of the Customs Authorities in the European Union or the United Kingdom, a unique number is created for that shipment.
To follow up the process of the movement there is adatabaseto track this movement.
An MRN is 18characterslong. The firsttwo charactersare the year in which the goods are shipped,e.g.20 for 2020. The next twocharactersare the two-letter country code of the country where the shipment originated,e.g.DE for Germany.The last14 characters are analphanumericcode which is automatically generated by the Customs Authority.
An MRN is unique. No two shipments can have the same MRN.
Why Do I Need an MRN?
The Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union has published that European Customs transit is a customs procedure used to facilitate the movement of goods between two points of a customs territory, via another customs territory, or between two or more different customs territories. It allows for the temporary suspension of duties, taxes and commercial policy measures that are applicable at import, thereby allowing customs clearance formalities to take place at the destination rather than at the point of entry into the customs territory.
Customs transit is particularly relevant to the Union where a single customs territory is combined with a multiplicity of fiscal territories. It allows the movement of goods under transit from their point of entry into the Union to their point of clearance where both the customs and national fiscal obligations are taken care of.
Questions and Assistance
The many customs related processes and procedures can get complicated. If you run a business and have any questions regarding MRN or other import- or export-related issues, pleasecontactone of our experts.
As an expert with demonstrable knowledge in customs and international trade, let me provide you with comprehensive information about the concepts mentioned in the article.
Movement Reference Number (MRN): An MRN, or Movement Reference Number, is a crucial identifier in the customs process, used by both the Customs Authorities in the European Union and the United Kingdom post-Brexit. It serves as a unique 18-character customs registration number issued by the Customs Authority in each member state. The MRN enables efficient identification and processing of shipments in the customs system, acting as the primary reference for customs declarations. The number is unique for each import or export declaration, ensuring no two shipments share the same MRN.
The MRN consists of 18 characters, with the first two representing the year of shipment, the next two being the two-letter country code of the shipment's origin, and the last 14 being an alphanumeric code automatically generated by the Customs Authority.
Customs Transit: The article mentions European Customs transit, a customs procedure facilitating the movement of goods within customs territories. This procedure allows goods to move between two points of a customs territory, via another customs territory, or among different customs territories. The key benefit of customs transit is the temporary suspension of duties, taxes, and commercial policy measures at the point of import, allowing customs clearance formalities to occur at the destination rather than the point of entry into the customs territory.
This process is particularly relevant to the European Union, where a single customs territory is combined with various fiscal territories. Customs transit ensures the smooth movement of goods from the entry point into the Union to the point of clearance, where both customs and national fiscal obligations are addressed.
Importance of MRN: The article emphasizes the necessity of an MRN in the customs process. The MRN is critical for tracking the movement of goods and serves as a unique identifier for customs declarations. It plays a central role in the European Customs transit procedure by facilitating the temporary suspension of duties and taxes, streamlining customs clearance processes, and allowing for the movement of goods within and between customs territories.
Database for Tracking: To follow up on the movement of goods, the article mentions the existence of a database. This database is used to track the movement of shipments based on their MRNs, providing a systematic way for Customs Authorities to manage and monitor the flow of goods through the customs system.
In conclusion, the Movement Reference Number (MRN) is an indispensable element in the customs and international trade processes, particularly in the context of European Customs transit post-Brexit. It ensures the smooth flow of goods, aids in customs clearance, and is supported by a database for effective tracking and management. If you have further questions or need assistance with customs-related issues, the article suggests reaching out to experts for guidance.
