Many traders still assume a CSP port badge is required for every CDS declaration. That is true at inventory-linked ports — but not for the majority of GB RoRo traffic. The distinction between port types determines whether a badge is needed at all.
If your goods move through a non-inventory linked or GVMS port — Dover, Eurotunnel, Holyhead and more — you can submit the import declaration directly to HMRC via Customs Declarations UK platform with no CSP subscription and no badge fee.
Two kinds of GB ports. Two kinds of rules.
Before you can decide whether you need a badge, you need to know which type of port your goods are arriving through. The UK operates two parallel customs control models at its frontier.
Temporary Storage ports
Goods sit in a temporary storage facility while a port community system tracks them. The declaration must be linked to a specific inventory record.
- Declaration must be matched to an inventory record
- You or your agent need a CSP badge — from CCS-UK, CNS, Destin8, MCP or Pentant
- Typical at deep-sea container ports and air hubs
- Examples: Felixstowe (mostly), Southampton, London Gateway, Heathrow
GVMS / Pre-lodgement ports
Goods are pre-cleared before arrival via the Goods Vehicle Movement Service. A GMR ties the declaration to the truck — no inventory record needed.
- Declaration submitted straight to CDS — no inventory match required
- No CSP badge required
- Typical at RoRo ferry and Channel Tunnel routes
- Examples: Dover, Eurotunnel, Holyhead, Fishguard, Pembroke
Do you need a badge?
Answer two questions to find out whether you can submit directly via CDUK without arranging a CSP badge.
Per CDUK policy: “badges are not necessary for export declarations.” Submit your CDS export declaration directly through CDUK to HMRC. If your route uses GVMS, generate the GMR with your MRN and you’re done.
Your shipment is moving through a non-inventory linked / GVMS port. No CSP badge needed. Submit the import declaration straight to HMRC through CDUK, receive your MRN, and pass it to the haulier for the GMR.
Inventory-linked ports require a badge from the relevant CSP (CCS-UK, CNS, Destin8, MCP or Pentant). The badge fee goes to the CSP. CDUK’s platform accepts the badge with no additional usage fees.
Scroll down to the port explorer — every GVMS port on HMRC’s official list is mapped out by carrier. If your port isn’t listed, it’s likely inventory-linked.
Every GB port using GVMS, by route.
This is the official HMRC list, last updated 9 December 2025. Filter by direction and carrier type using the tabs below.
At these eight ports you must always use GVMS for RoRo imports into Great Britain. They are pure non-inventory linked routes — no badge required.
At these ports, GVMS applies only for specific carriers. Other terminals at the same port may still operate temporary storage — so the badge requirement depends on the route.
At these GB ports, the export declaration must be submitted as ‘arrived’ before the goods start their journey to the port. No CSP badge required.
At these GB ports, the export declaration must be submitted as ‘pre-lodged’ before the goods arrive at the port. The MRN is generated up-front, the GMR is created with it, and HMRC arrives at the frontier event. No CSP badge required.
The traditional route vs. the direct way.
For non-inventory linked routes, here’s how submitting through Customs Declarations UK compares to taking on a CSP subscription you may not actually need.
The traditional route
- Sign up to a Community System Provider (CCS-UK, CNS, Destin8, MCP, Pentant)
- Pay a recurring CSP subscription — typically monthly
- Maintain a separate CSP badge per port community
- Configure software to relay declarations via the CSP gateway
- Pay per-declaration messaging fees to the CSP
- Add-on costs to access HMRC ultimately
Direct via Customs Declarations UK
- Sign up to CDUK and link your Government Gateway / EORI
- No CSP subscription required for non-inventory linked routes
- Submit imports and exports directly to HMRC CDS
- Receive your MRN in seconds — pass it to the haulier for the GMR
- Predictable per-declaration pricing — no badge usage fee
- If you also clear at an inventory port, badges supported at no extra CDUK fee
Three steps from goods to GMR.
Here’s what the end-to-end looks like for a typical RoRo import through Dover, Holyhead or any other non-inventory linked port.
Register & link
Set up your CDUK account, link your GB EORI, and authorise CDUK to submit on your behalf via Government Gateway. One-time setup — typically takes minutes.
Prepare & validate
Enter commodity codes, values, origin and procedure codes — or upload from a master template. CDUK’s validation engine flags mismatches before submission.
Submit & share MRN
One click sends the declaration to CDS. Seconds later, an MRN comes back. Pass it to your haulier so it can be linked to the GMR before the truck reaches the port.
The questions traders actually ask.
A “badge” is the electronic login that lets a customs agent access a port’s inventory system — the database that tracks every container, trailer and consignment sitting at the port. At inventory-linked ports, the customs declaration has to be matched to that inventory record before goods can leave. The badge enables that match.
At non-inventory linked / GVMS ports, there is no inventory database to match against — the goods don’t sit at the port. They roll on the ferry, the GMR identifies the truck, and HMRC clears the declaration directly. No badge needed.
Yes. For non-inventory linked / GVMS imports into Great Britain, no badge is required. For exports, CDUK’s position is broader still: “badges are not necessary for export declarations.” The declaration goes straight to CDS, and GVMS handles the frontier event.
You’ll need a CSP badge for those specific movements — there’s no way around that. The badge fee goes to the CSP (CCS-UK, CNS, Destin8, MCP or Pentant), not to CDUK. CDUK supports declarations to inventory-linked ports without charging any additional badge-usage fees on top of the platform pricing.
No. The GMR is the unique reference HMRC issues for each crossing — it bundles together every customs declaration on the truck so the driver presents one code at the frontier. It’s free, generated through the Goods Vehicle Movement Service after you’ve submitted your declaration and received an MRN. Anyone moving goods through a GVMS port needs a GMR; not everyone needs a CSP badge.
Some vendors built their CDS connection on top of an existing CSP relationship — so even for GVMS-only routes, declarations route via a CSP gateway. That’s a commercial choice, not a CDS requirement. CDUK connects directly to HMRC CDS for non-inventory linked traffic, which is why no CSP fee is passed through to you.
Yes, occasionally. The list is maintained at gov.uk/guidance/list-of-ports-using-the-goods-vehicle-movement-service. The most recent update was 9 December 2025, when changes were made to Warrenpoint, Heysham and Liverpool entries. CDUK monitors the list — if your route changes status, our team will flag it.
Submit Directly to HMRC — No Port Badge Required
If your goods move through Dover, Eurotunnel or any of the other GVMS routes, you can start filing CDS declarations directly — today, at no extra cost.
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