News / UK still regarded as the 'wild west' as importers avoid customs declarations

© Alan5766

The UK’s new Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) continues to be a headache for UK border officials, with concerns mounting that “hundreds, if not thousands” of shipments are bypassing the system’s checks and balances.

Sources at customs, forwarding and haulage organisations said it was “an open secret” that GVMS “does not function”, and loopholes will continue to be exploited until import safety and security declarations are introduced.

“There could be ten loads on a vehicle without a single import declaration and no ...