Delay to the implementation of CERTEX

CERTEX will no longer be implemented on 28 June 2025.

On 3 June HMRC informed traders about CERTEX, a system that will verify licence data on declarations for goods movements. It will replace the Automatic Licence Verification System (ALVS) for Northern Ireland. 

CERTEX will no longer be implemented on 28 June 2025. A new implementation date has not been set.  

Action to take for traders 

You may need to take action depending on whether you are moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland or from the Rest of the World to Northern Ireland.  

You should continue to follow standard processes for controlled goods in Northern Ireland including reporting for inspections where required to do so.

Moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland  

This delay does not affect the use of the new Common Health Entry Document (CHED) reference format on traders’ declarations from 28 June 2025. The reference format is letters followed by numbers and includes the full stop character. For example, 'CHEDA.XI.2025.1234567'.  

Declarations using the existing format (e.g. ‘GBCHD2025.1234567’) will not be rejected, however we encourage you to use the new format in readiness for the implementation of CERTEX at a later date.  

You will not receive CERTEX specific messages for these movements in CDS so you must continue to monitor the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) at GVMS locations or the respective inventory system at inventory locations.  

For detailed guidance, please visit GOV.UK. 

Moving goods from Rest of World to Northern Ireland  

This delay means you must not use the new Common Health Entry Document (CHED) format on your declarations from 28 June 2025. You must continue to use the existing format found in Appendix 5a. For example, ‘GBCHD2025.1234567’. 

If you have pre-lodged any declarations using the new format these must be changed before arrival on the Customs Declaration Service (CDS). Failure to use the correct CHED format will result in rejections or holds on your goods once the goods arrive and potentially delays in getting the goods released. 

Issued by HMRC
25th June 2025