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Import firewood into England, Scotland or Wales
Find out how to import firewood, such as logs and kindling, into England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain).
How to check if you can delay customs payments and declarations
If you’re a business that currently buys goods from or sells goods to countries outside the UK, or are planning to trade with Europe from January 2021, HMRC’s new tool can help you identify ways you might be able to make the customs process easier for cheaper for your business. This short video shows you how to use the tool.
How can a customs intermediary or agent help me?
If you’re a UK business thinking about moving goods into or out of the UK , this video is here to help you understand how customs intermediaries or agents can help you. For more information have a look at the guidance available on gov.uk.
What are commodity codes?
If you're buying or selling goods abroad, you need to work out the amount of duty or VAT you owe. This short video tells you how to find out the ‘commodity code’ classification for your goods, using our Trade Tariff tool. Find out more on GOV.UK
What are controlled goods?
You’ll need a licence to import or export certain types of controlled goods. You may also need to pay extra duty in the UK. Unsure if this applies to your goods? This short video explains more about the types of goods that are classed as controlled. Find out more on GOV.UK
Japan’s first salaried foreign ninja
A region of Japan looking to use ninja warriors to boost tourism has made an American the first foreign national to draw a salary for joining the country’s traditional group of assassins
Aichi Prefecture (near Nagoya to the south west of Tokyo) had been seeking 6 full-time ninja. Ninja were skilled in espionage and guerrilla warfare; they were hired mercenaries during the turmoil that marked the Sengoku (Waring States) Period between the 15th and 17th centuries.
Job postings said candidates of any nationality were welcome. Of the 235 applicants, 85% were non-Japanese. 29-year-old Chris O’Neill so impressed the selection panel with acrobatic flips during his auditions that officials created an extra place for him.
The ninja squad will receive one-year contracts and a monthly salary of ¥180,000 (US$1,750) plus bonuses. O’Neill will work alongside six Japanese colleagues comprising five men and one woman. Their duties include performing acrobatic flips, demonstrating their trademark shuriken throwing stars and posing for photographs with tourists.