NEW TO IMPORTS?  Please take a moment to read the information below.

Imports - A brief introduction:

- So what are the first things you need to know?

Well, it's important to know that:

- Goods that are of EU origin, can travel in Free Circulation, meaning that you don't have to pay any duty and / or VAT to Customs.

(There are some exceptions, depending on the type and volume... if you are in any doubt, contact our Imports Team for further assistance).

- Duty and/or VAT is applicable on goods valued over GB£ 18.00 (or GB£36.00 for gifts) arriving from outside the EU. (Again, there are exceptions depending on the type of goods, or the reason of Importing... contact our Imports Team for further assistance).

- Know what you are paying for: Before ordering any goods, ask the shipper the following: - What are the shipping terms... who is paying the shipping costs? In MOST cases it will be cheaper for you to pay the person sending the goods, for the shipping costs, rather than you paying the UK agent.

Ensure the right 3-letter code is displayed on your paperwork. This represents the terms of sale between you and the shipper and these codes are globally recognised.

The most commonly used 'IncoTerms', are as follows:

DDP - Delivered Duty Paid (Shipper pays everything, again including delivery to your door - you shouldn't incur any costs at all)

DDU - Delivered Duty Unpaid (shipper pays for everything expect any import Duty and/or VAT, including delivery to your door)

CIF - Cost Insurance Freight (shipper pays for all the costs incurred in getting your goods to the UK and the value of the goods shown on the invoice/bill of sale includes these costs)

C&F - Cost & Freight (This is the same as above, but the shipper has not paid for any Insurance)

FOB - Free On Board (The shipper pays for the goods to get to the port of departure... the rest is paid for by you)

EXW - Ex Works (You pay for everything from the shipper's premises)

Remember!! Always ask the sender for a quote for the shipping to the UK or if possible, to your door. UK agents tend to add money on to cover profit-share between them and the freight-forwarder from where your goods are being shipped. If you have no other option that to pay for the shipping once your goods arrive into the UK, then ask you shipper, in advance, who their UK agent is (they should be able to supply you with the name of the company, a contact name and telephone number)... find out how much they are likely to charge you and what they need from you to ensure there are no un-necessary hold ups, as delays can cost you extra in Storage (rent).

- Classifying your goods: OK, so once you know the cost of the items you're buying and the cost of getting them to the UK, you then need to find out if you have to pay Import Duty and/or VAT and if so, roughly how much.
All goods, no matter what they are or what they are made of, have a classification number... more commonly known as either a 'Commodity Code', 'Taric Code' or 'Tariff Heading'. This 10 digit number, along with the country of origin, determines the rate of Import Duty and/or VAT applicable, if any. And also whether or not any restrictions apply (some goods may be prohibited or may require an Import licence). To assist you, your supplier/shipper may be able to give you a 'Harmonized Code', which is very similar to the EU Codes.
To find the relevant commodity code, enter onto the main section of our website and go 'Other Links' on our menu, then select 'Europe Taric Website', and follow the instructions or alternatively call the Customs Classification Helpline on: (T) 01702 366 077 and they should be able to advise the correct code and Duty rate for your goods... to ensure it's accurate, give them as much information as possible. Once you have your 10 digit classification code... keep it safe, as you will need it when your goods arrive into the UK.

- Calculating the Import Duty and/or VAT: Once you know the rate of Duty and/or VAT that is applicable, if any, we recommend that you enter all the details into our Duty and VAT Calculator. If all the details are entered correctly, this will give an accurate estimation of the Duty and/or VAT payable to UK Customs. Further details of how this is calculated can be found in the main section of our website.

- Exemptions, Reductions or Relief?:
Depending on the reason behind you bringing goods into the UK, you may be eligible for exemption from Duty and/or VAT or if not exempt, at least you may be entitled to pay at a reduced rate. There are too many to list here, so call our Imports Team if you think that you might qualify or for more information.

- Finally, Shop around for the best deal that suits YOU!:

If, when your goods arrive, you receive a call or notification from the freight-forwarder used to transport your goods, you are in no way obligated to use them to clear your goods through UK Customs. If YOU are paying for your goods to be Customs Cleared, you can, as with most services in life, shop around for the company that not only is the most helpful, but hopefully also the cheapest... basically, the one that suits YOU. Find out how much your freight-forwarder would charge you for Customs clearance, then call our Imports Team for a non-obligatory comparative quotation. Why pay more, when you simply don't have to.

Hopefully, we have shown you how we can simplify the rules laid out by UK Customs, essential for anyone shipping goods, whether by courier, road, air or sea to the U.K.

We look forward to hearing from you.