The final release of NCTS6 is set to go live, with service downtime to be confirmed closer to the go‑live date.

Changes to Come in NCTS6 Phase 2

Security Types

There will be changes to the available Security Types.

At the moment, the available options in the Data Group (DG) Transit Operation > Data Element (DE) Security > Transit Operation – Security are as follows: 

0. No security

1. Entry Summary declaration (ENS) for importing goods into Great Britain or Northern Ireland, or from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

2. Exit Summary declaration (EXS) for exporting goods from Great Britain to any

country, or from Northern Ireland to any non-EU country

3. Both Entry and Exit Summary Declarations (ENS and EXS)

Updates to the Security Options from 1 June 2026

From 1^st June, only one of the following options will be available for selection:

0. No security

2. Exit Summary Declaration (EXS) – for exporting goods from GB to any country, or

from XI to any non‑EU country

Using security option (1) or (3) will result in rejection. Therefore, the HMRC web portal has been updated to reflect the options for selection as follows:

“No security” or

“Exit Summary Declaration (EXS)”.

Users of Third-Party Software

These changes should already be reflected in third‑party software products.

Where this is not the case, the user is advised to limit selection to Security Type 0 or 2 to avoid system rejection and subsequent delays to movements.

Authorised Consignees – Reporting an Incident

A new Office of Incident Registration role was introduced in September 2025, with the NCTS5 implementation. This was introduced to facilitate the reporting and recording of incidents directly into NCTS should an incident occur between Departure and Destination.

HMRC confirm that incidents must be reported to the Office of Incident Registration in line with existing guidance, as qualified in section 4.5 Office of Incident Registration.

A link to the guidance is available here: Transit Manual Supplement - 4. Common/Union Transit - Guidance - GOV.UK

From 1 June 2026, Incident Flags will no longer be visible in NCTS screens relating to IE007. 

What to do

 Make sure that business processes are updated to reflect the upcoming changes.

• Only select Security types ‘0’ – No Security or ‘2’ Exit Summary Declaration (EXS), when completing Transit declarations.
• Ensure your drivers and/or haulage contractors are aware that they must report any incidents at the nearest customs office on their route to the destination.

Incident Flags will no longer be available from 1^st June 2026. It will no longer be possible to record an incident with goods once the goods have arrived.

Users are advised to follow the existing guidance to report any incidents.

If using third-party software, HMRC recommend communicating with the software provider in advance of the 1st June implementation of NCTS6 to determine when the software product will be updated to the new specification.

What’s next

 NCTS will be offline as NCTS6 Phase 2 is implemented. 

HMRC have confirmed that communications will be issued regarding service downtime, and that downtime details will be communicated on the NCTS availability page in due course.