GVMS: port & carrier guide + export “arrived” vs “pre‑lodged”
Quick reference: when a port may require GVMS depending on carrier, and where RoRo export declarations must be submitted as “arrived” or “pre‑lodged”.
Confirm the carrier
For some ports, GVMS is required only for specific carriers. Always confirm with the carrier for the route.
“Arrived”
In some locations, the export declaration must be submitted as arrived before the goods start their journey.
“Pre‑lodged”
For other locations, the export declaration must be pre‑lodged before the goods arrive at the port.
Locations where GVMS may be used for some carriers
If you’re using one of the ports below, your carrier may require (or offer) GVMS. Some ports also offer temporary storage — check with the carrier.
| Location | Carrier(s) |
|---|---|
| Birkenhead | Stena Line |
| Felixstowe | DFDS |
| Harwich | Stena Line |
| Hull | P&O |
| Immingham | DFDS, Stena Line or A2B-online |
| Killingholme | Stena Line, CLdN or DFDS |
| Manchester Ship Canal | Suardiaz |
| Plymouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Poole | Brittany Ferries |
| Port of Tyne | DFDS |
| Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Purfleet | CLdN |
| Teesport | P&O, CLdN or A2B-online |
| Thamesport | A2B-online |
| Tilbury 2 | P&O or DFDS |
RoRo export: “Arrived” vs “Pre‑lodged”
“Arrived” locations
If you use GVMS and one of the carriers below for RoRo, you must submit the export declaration as arrived before the goods start their journey.
| Location | Carrier(s) |
|---|---|
| Birkenhead | Stena Line |
| Dover | Irish Ferries, P&O or DFDS |
| Eurotunnel | Le Shuttle |
| Fishguard | Stena Line |
| Heysham | Stena Line or CLdN |
| Holyhead | Irish Ferries or Stena Line |
| Liverpool | Stena Line or CLdN |
| Pembroke | Irish Ferries |
“Pre‑lodged” locations
For the locations below you must submit a pre‑lodged export declaration before goods arrive at the port (for the specified carriers).
| Location | Carrier(s) |
|---|---|
| Manchester Ship Canal | Suardiaz |
| Newhaven | DFDS |
| Plymouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Poole | Brittany Ferries |
| Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Tilbury 2 | DFDS |
Note
Some ports offer temporary storage. Always confirm with the carrier whether the movement is GVMS or inventory-linked/temporary storage, and what export submission type is required.