Customs (Movement Block 16)
Block 16: Additional Information
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Block 16 – Quick Reference
Additional Information
Free-use field for any person involved in the movement to record information required by national legislation or operational necessity.
Basel Basis
Annex V-B Block 16
Field Type
Free text — national/operational data
Required For
Where national legislation or operational requirements demand it
What Block 16 Captures
Block 16 is a free-use field available to any person involved in the movement — exporter, carrier, importer, or competent authority — to record information required by national legislation that does not fit elsewhere on the movement document.
Common uses include: container or vehicle identification numbers, port transfer reference codes, additional authority reference numbers, national tracking identifiers, or any supplementary data that a specific country's legislation requires to accompany the physical movement. There is no standardized content — what goes here is driven entirely by the requirements of the countries involved.
This block is not a customs office block. EU customs office details for the notification form are handled separately on the notification document (Annex V-A Block 16). On the movement document (Annex V-B), Block 16 is the general additional information field.
How to Complete Block 16
1
Check national requirements for each country involved.
Review the importing, exporting, and any transit country's competent authority requirements for what must appear on the movement document beyond the standard blocks.
2
Record container or vehicle identifiers if required.
For sea freight this typically means the container number and seal number. For road freight, the vehicle registration. Include these where port or border authorities require them on the movement document.
3
Add national tracking or permit reference numbers.
Some countries require their own tracking reference to appear on the movement document alongside the notification number from Block 1. Enter those here.
4
Leave blank if no national requirements apply.
Block 16 is not mandatory for all movements. If no country involved requires additional information on the movement document, this field may be left blank without issue.
5
Label each entry clearly.
Where multiple pieces of information are entered, label each one so authorities can identify what each reference relates to — for example: Container: TCKU3953742 / Seal: ML4489921.
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This Is Not the Customs Offices Field
EU customs office codes belong on the notification document (Annex V-A), not the movement document. Movement Document Block 16 is a general additional information field. Do not use it to record customs office data — that information belongs on the notification form.
Common Errors – Correct Approach
Wrong
Entering EU customs office codes in movement document Block 16
Correct
EU customs office codes go on the notification document (Annex V-A Block 16), not here
Wrong
Leaving Block 16 blank when the importing country requires a national tracking reference on the movement document
Correct
Check each country's CA requirements and enter mandatory national references before dispatch
Wrong
Entering unlabelled reference numbers with no indication of what they relate to
Correct
Label every entry — e.g. Container: TCKU3953742 / National Ref: TT-ENV-2026-041
Wrong
Assuming Block 16 is always mandatory and padding it with unnecessary data
Correct
Only complete Block 16 where a specific national or operational requirement exists — leave blank otherwise
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can complete Block 16?
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Any person involved in the movement — exporter, carrier, importer, or competent authority — may use Block 16 to enter information relevant to their role that is required by national legislation or operational necessity. It is not restricted to one party.
Is Block 16 the same on the notification form and the movement document?
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No. They share the same block number but serve different purposes. On the notification document (Annex V-A), Block 16 is specifically for EU customs office codes. On the movement document (Annex V-B), Block 16 is a general additional information field for any party involved in the movement.
How do I find out what each country requires in Block 16?
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Contact the competent authority of each country involved in the movement and ask specifically what information they require on the movement document beyond the standard blocks. The receiving facility and your freight forwarder will often know from prior shipments what each country expects.
Does Block 16 need to be completed before the shipment departs?
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Where required, yes — any information that must accompany the shipment needs to be on the movement document before dispatch. Container numbers and seal numbers are typically added at the point of loading. National reference numbers should be confirmed with the relevant authority before the shipment departs.
Supporting Documents
- vCOP8 Official Movement Document — Annex V-B Block 16— Official Basel source confirming Block 16 as the additional information field on the movement document.
- Basel Convention Competent Authority Directory— Contact details for competent authorities in all Basel member states to confirm national Block 16 requirements.
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DexMetal Expert Tip
For ULAB exports from T&T, ask your freight forwarder and the receiving facility what each country expects in Block 16 before your first shipment. Build a standing checklist for each trade lane — container number, seal number, and any national reference. This becomes standard operating procedure and eliminates last-minute scrambles at the port.
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Block 15: Exporter's Declaration
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Block 17: Importer Acceptance
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