Introduction
In global logistics, speed, accuracy, and traceability are non-negotiable. The Irish Revenue MRN/PBN forwarding feature delivers an integrated, end-to-end flow that connects your booking system, customs tasks, and Irish Revenue services into a single, auditable workspace. Through the integration, MRN data and the associated Customs Pre-Notification (PBN) are automatically forwarded to Irish Revenue, with the PBN stored on the booking and the status continuously synchronised. The result is improved compliance, faster clearance, and clearer visibility for operations, compliance teams, and freight partners.
Key benefits
Single source of truth: Centralised routing of MRN and PBN data across multiple terminals under one Irish Revenue integration.
Automated status visibility: Real-time or near-real-time synchronisation of PBN lifecycle states, reducing manual checks.
Flexible onboarding: Scales from a single terminal to a multi-terminal rollout with centralised configuration and per-terminal overrides.
Terminology
Term | Definition |
MRN (Master Reference Number) | The unique reference for a master shipment record used in customs processing. |
PBN (Customs Pre-Notification) | The pre-declaration payload to Irish Revenue that accompanies a shipment’s customs clearance process. |
Irish Revenue | The national tax and customs authority in Ireland responsible for processing MRN/PBN data and related declarations. |
Global Location | A configured, centralised location (Qargo) representing the Irish Revenue integration, used to route data for multiple terminals. |
Tenant Location / Terminal | An individual terminal or location within your organisation that can be linked to a Global Location for data routing. |
Border-Crossing Point | The port or crossing location associated with a trip where PBN data is relevant for compliance and clearance. |
Customs Task | A configured workflow item that governs forwarding of PBN/MRN data to Irish Revenue. |
Feature Flag | A configuration toggle (global or per-tenant) used to enable or disable specific capabilities, such as Customs Pre Notification. |
Status Sync | The automated process of updating PBN/mrn state in Irish Revenue and reflecting it in your system. |
Onboarding | Activities to enable and configure the Irish Revenue integration for one or more terminals, including location mapping and task templates. |
Prerequisites (Qargo Admin only)
💬 Integration with Irish Revenue services requires activation.
Please contact your Account Manager to request setup assistance.
Activate Customs Pre Notification feature flag
Link account locations to the Global configuration location which includes the integration link.
Create & activate a new 'Irish Revenue' integration
Create workflow task (Super Admin / Admin user)
Create a standard Customs Task to send data to Irish Revenue and return status updates.
🧰 If using multiple customs integrations (Irish Revenue / HMRC) create a Customs Task for each integration.
PBN workflow to Irish Revenue
The steps below walk through how to use the MRN/PBN forwarding process.
Create a trip with a border-crossing point linked to Irish Revenue.
If data is entered manually, ensure the PBN data is complete before forwarding.
When a location is linked to Irish Revenue, the system will auto-forward the associated PBN/MRN data per the configured triggers.
The PBN is stored on the booking after forwarding.
Complete Customs task to forward PBN details
Once triggered it will automatically forward MRN's to Irish Revenue.
Track PBN status
Status values map to lifecycle stages and indicate next actions.
Irish Revenue Status | Description |
CHECKED_IN | PBN has been provided to carrier and is a post-check-in confirmation. The ferry operator processed PBN at the terminal, marking the vehicle as ready to board. Indicates the end of the PBN lifecycle for the outbound scenario. |
EXIT_PORT | Inbound status. Can exit the port after inspection/after disembarking. Indicates the end of the PBN lifecycle for the inbound scenario. |
PROCEED | Outbound: It means all required customs declarations (MRNs) are lodged, validated, and cleared by Revenue. The PBN is complete and valid - the driver is cleared to proceed to the ferry terminal for check-in with the ferry operator. |
NOT_FINALISABLE | There is an error with the PBN and it hasn’t been created yet due to missing or incorrect information. |
REQUIRES_UPDATE_IN_PORTAL | There is an error with the PBN but it’s already created and it needs to be updated in the Irish Revenue portal. |
CUSTOMS | Inspection required at customs. Will contain additional information on where the driver needs to be for inspection. |