Key points:
- The new TSS platform went live on 20 October 2026; the old system no longer accepts new movements.
- Existing users were migrated and do not need to register again, but must set a new password and check their details.
- Additional staff must be invited by the company’s account administrator.
- The new platform is run by Netcompany under a five-year contract; the service remains free.
- Customs rules and legal obligations have not changed.
What changed on 20 October
According to HMRC, the new platform is hosted on GOV.UK and is operated by Netcompany, which has a five-year contract with two possible one-year extensions. A Fujitsu-led consortium had run the service since 2020.
“All goods movements taking place on or after 20 October must be submitted on the new platform,” HMRC said. The old TSS no longer accepts new movements.
The platform was tested in a private beta from July, with hundreds of declarations submitted. HMRC stresses that customs processes and legal obligations under the Windsor Framework stay the same; only the system changes.
Migrated, but not automatically ready
Existing users do not need to register again. Their accounts were moved to the new service on or before 20 October. However, HMRC asked users to:
- pre-enrol using the invitation email,
- create a new password,
- check that business details and user permissions are up to date.
HMRC estimated that updating a profile takes between 5 and 30 minutes, depending on the size of the business.
The biggest risk is access. According to the registration guidance, colleagues who submit declarations must join through an email invitation from the company’s account administrator. If the person who usually files declarations is not on the new platform, nobody can submit them.
A checklist for hauliers
Transport companies moving goods across the Irish Sea should check:
- Who files the declarations? The haulier, the customer, a customs agent or the shipper.
- Does that person have access? Make sure they have activated the new account and have the right permissions.
- Who is the administrator? Only they can invite additional users.
- Is the consignment data available? The person filing the declaration needs the details of every load before departure.
New users need an EORI number. The service accepts XI EORI numbers, EORI numbers issued by EU countries, a parent company’s EORI or a GB EORI. They can also add authorisations such as simplified declarations or a duty deferment account.
Why it matters
TSS handles customs and safety and security declarations for goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as payments. It is free to use and offers guidance, webinars and a contact centre.
The service has been central to Irish Sea trade since it was launched in 2020, when hauliers doubted it would be ready in time. Since then, Northern Irish hauliers have repeatedly warned about the complexity of post-Brexit paperwork. A switch to a new system, however well prepared, is another moment when loads can get stuck at the port.
