Dear Customer,

Since NCTS5 went live with Transitional rules on 28 June 2024 and Final State Rules on 21 January 2025, we have been providing ongoing support to assist customers.
In this update we are providing information on potential issues you may encounter when entering unloading remarks during British Summertime (BST) which runs from 30 March to 26 October 2025 inclusive.
These communications are for users of NCTS5 (traders, agents, declarants etc) and for providers of third-party commercial software packages.

You can find our recent updates on GOV.UK.

Background – Unloading remarks and British Summertime (BST)
Following the introduction of NCTS5 in June 2024, HMRC became aware of a problem affecting NCTS users when entering unloading remarks for goods arrived between the hours of 00:01 and 01:00 during BST.
This problem is caused by NCTS’ alignment with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour behind BST. This means that any unloading remarks completed between 00:01 and 01:00 during BST are blocked, as they are considered by the NCTS service to be made in the future.

What HMRC are doing
A permanent fix to the issue is currently being explored. We will provide an update when we know when the fix will be implemented.

What you need to do
To avoid blocking of unloading remarks, traders/declarants will need to carry out the workaround below during BST.

Workaround
From 31 March 2025 until 26 October 2025; or we notify you that the fix has been made; declarants should enter the previous day’s date when submitting unloading remarks for any goods received in the UK between 00:01 and 01:00 hours.

For example-
• Goods are physically unloaded at the Consignee premises on 7 April 2025 between the hours of 00:01 and 01:00
• Unloading date should be entered as 6 April (the time is not required in this data field, only the date)

Note: if you use third-party software, please speak to your provider as they may include functionality within their product that already allows for this workaround.

Further information
Please look out for our next communications in Spring 2025 which will discuss NCTS6.

Thank you,
HMRC.