Borders Authority Sets Out Arrangements for Carrying Goods Across the Boundary

The Borders Authority of the Velocity Interoperability Network today set out the arrangements that apply from Monday 7 September 2026 to goods carried across the boundary of the Network. The arrangements were agreed with the Customs Service and the Transport Department during the transition period and replace the separate rules previously applied by member organisations at their own boundaries.

Goods fall into three classes. Personal goods, being the clothing, personal effects and small quantities of food and other items that a traveller carries for their own use, need no declaration. Declared goods, including medicines beyond a personal supply, animals and plants, tools and equipment for work, and any single item of high value, are declared at the crossing point on a short form and are normally cleared at once. Commercial consignments are declared in advance by the carrier and are cleared at Westbrook Freight Gate or Southbank Quay, the two crossing points equipped for goods vehicles and cargo.

Weapons, hazardous materials and controlled substances may not be carried across the boundary without a permit issued by the department concerned, and are refused at the crossing point where no permit is presented. A traveller who is unsure whether an item must be declared should declare it; there is no penalty for declaring an item that turns out to be a personal good.

Full guidance on each class of goods, the declaration form and the steps for clearing a commercial consignment is set out on the Carrying Goods page of this site. Carriers may write to contact@borders.gov.vin with enquiries about consignments.