How Much Does MRN Closure Cost? Comparing Your Options in 2026
The most frequent question we hear from exporters: “How much does it cost to close an MRN?” The short answer: through closemrn.com, the price is set individually - it depends on the port and volume, and you can estimate it in our calculator. Below, we present a full comparison of the three available options - DIY, customs broker, or dedicated service - so you can make an informed decision based on real costs, not just sticker prices.
3 Ways to Close an MRN and Their Costs
There are three basic approaches to closing an MRN and obtaining the export confirmation. Each differs in cost, turnaround time, and the level of expertise required.
A) DIY - Seemingly Free
In theory, you can close an MRN yourself without paying a service fee. In practice, this means:
- Port system account required - you need an active, verified account in the relevant port community system. Setting up an account involves company verification and typically takes days to weeks.
- Technical knowledge - each port and each system has different procedures, forms, and documentation requirements. A mistake in the submission means starting over.
- Foreign-language correspondence - communication with customs authorities is conducted in German, Dutch, English, or French depending on the port.
- Your time has a price - even if the process itself is “free,” the 4-20 hours typically spent on learning the system, filling out forms, and waiting for responses represent a real cost. At 40-60 EUR/hour staff cost, that is 160-1,200 EUR per closure.
- Risk of errors - an incorrectly filed request can delay MRN closure by weeks, potentially pushing past the critical VAT deadline.
B) Customs Broker - 35-80 EUR
Customs brokers offer MRN closure as one of many services in their portfolio. Typical pricing ranges from 35 to 80 EUR per filing, depending on the broker, port, and complexity.
- MRN closure is a side service - brokers specialise in customs clearance. MRN closure is not their core competency, which can translate into longer turnaround times.
- Turnaround: 1-5 business days - due to servicing many clients and competing priorities, wait times can be unpredictable.
- Additional charges possible - some brokers add fees for customs office correspondence, document preparation, or “urgency.”
C) Dedicated Service (closemrn.com) - individual quote
closemrn.com is a dedicated service built exclusively for closing MRNs across European ports. This sole focus allows us to offer:
- Transparent, individual pricing - we quote per port and volume, with no hidden fees, no commissions, and no “urgency surcharges.” An IMO/DG surcharge applies for dangerous goods (shown in the calculator).
- Average turnaround: 2-8 hours - most cases are resolved on the same business day thanks to established access to port systems and familiarity with procedures.
- Available 7 days a week - we accept filings on weekends and holidays. Urgent cases are prioritised.
- Zero expertise required - you provide the MRN and basic export data. Everything else is handled on our end.
- Result guarantee - if we cannot close the MRN, you pay nothing.
Price Comparison Table
| Criterion | DIY | Customs Broker | closemrn.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 0 EUR (nominally) | 35-80 EUR | individual quote |
| Turnaround | 2-10 days | 1-5 days | 2-8 hours |
| Expertise Required | High | Medium | None |
| Port System Account | Required | They have one | Not needed |
| Availability | Your hours | Mon-Fri | 7 days/week |
| Guarantee | None | Varies | Yes - no result, no fee |
What Does the Price Include?
Whatever your port and volume, the per-container price covers end-to-end service from the moment you submit your request to delivery of proof of export:
- Export document analysis - verification of MRN data, container number, exporter details, and all information required for closure.
- Port system intervention - action in the relevant system to close the export procedure.
- Customs office correspondence - if additional communication with the customs office of exit is needed, we handle it on your behalf.
- export confirmation - we ensure the official proof of export message is generated in the customs system.
- Delivery of confirmation - you receive the export confirmation by email, ready for your accountant and tax authority.
- Status monitoring - real-time updates on the progress of your filing.
- VAT invoice - a full VAT invoice for the service, ready for booking.
Volume Pricing for Regular Exporters
For companies that export regularly through European sea ports, we offer volume discounts. From 26 containers per month, the per-container rate drops automatically, lowering your cost versus single filings.
For enterprise clients processing 50+ containers per month, we prepare a custom offer with dedicated account management and priority processing. See our pricing page for full details or contact us directly.
The Hidden Costs of DIY MRN Closure
Many exporters focus exclusively on the direct service fee when comparing costs. But DIY MRN closure carries significant indirect costs that are easy to overlook.
Staff Time
Self-service MRN closure requires 4 to 20 hours of staff time depending on experience, port, and case complexity. This includes learning the port system, completing forms, waiting for responses, corresponding with customs, and verifying status. At an average export department staff cost of 40-60 EUR/hour (including employer contributions), that is 160-1,200 EUR per closure.
VAT Risk at Domestic Rate
If MRN closure is delayed past the approximately 2-month deadline for obtaining export confirmation, you must declare the export at the domestic VAT rate (e.g., 23% in Poland, 19% in Germany, 21% in the Netherlands). On a 200,000 EUR shipment, that means 38,000-46,000 EUR in frozen VAT - even if you eventually recover it through a correction. Those funds are unavailable for months, directly impacting cash flow.
Opportunity Cost
Time your staff spends on MRN closure is time not spent on revenue-generating activities: new orders, negotiations, logistics optimisation. This opportunity cost is the hardest to measure but often the highest.
Summary: Which Option Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on your situation. If you export regularly through a single port and have experienced staff with an existing port system account, DIY may make sense for routine cases. If you export sporadically or through multiple ports, closemrn.com offers the best value in terms of price, speed, and simplicity.
Regardless of which option you choose, remember one thing: the cost of an unclosed MRN is always many times higher than the cost of closing it. Lost 0% VAT rate, frozen funds, tax office correspondence - all of this can be easily avoided by acting promptly after the vessel sails.
FAQ - MRN Closure Costs
Are there hidden fees when using a dedicated MRN closure service?
No. The quote covers the entire service: document analysis, port system intervention, obtaining the export confirmation, and delivery of proof of export. There are no additional charges, commissions, or surcharges. An IMO/DG surcharge applies for dangerous goods (shown in the calculator). If we cannot close the MRN for any reason, no fee is charged.
Is MRN closure cheaper if I do it myself?
Only on paper. While port system access may be free or low-cost, the real expense is the time investment. Even at a modest staff cost of 40-60 EUR/hour, the 4-20 hours typically needed for DIY closure adds up to 160-1,200 EUR - far more than a dedicated service fee. This does not account for the risk of errors causing further delays.
Why do customs brokers charge 35-80 EUR for MRN closure?
Customs brokers treat MRN closure as a supplementary service alongside their core clearance work. Their pricing reflects general overhead, less specialized workflows, and lower volume of MRN-specific operations. A dedicated MRN closure service focuses exclusively on this process, achieving economies of scale and faster turnaround.
Do you offer volume discounts for regular exporters?
Yes. From 26 containers per month, the per-container rate drops. For enterprise clients processing 50+ containers per month, we prepare custom pricing. Contact us for details.
What is the cost of NOT closing an MRN?
The cost of leaving an MRN open far exceeds any closure fee. Without proof of export (export confirmation), you cannot apply the 0% VAT rate. On a 100,000 EUR shipment, this means 19,000-23,000 EUR in frozen or lost VAT (depending on your country's domestic rate). Add potential interest on tax arrears and the administrative burden of corrections, and the true cost can be orders of magnitude higher than any MRN closure fee.
Need to close your MRN?
We cover 8 European ports. Average filing time 32 minutes, 2h order acceptance guarantee.