Also in the news...
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
Moving goods through customs during the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Border functions and social distancing To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we have temporarily changed customs border processes. This includes transit and export procedures. This guidance will be updated when this change ends.
Exchanging transit and export documents
Traders, their agents and Border Force staff should exchange documents electronically. This can be by:
- fax
- digital photograph
The information must be legible. You do not need to print documents received in an electronic format.
Documents required by customs officials in EU member states must travel with the goods as a hard copy. These include:
- Transit Accompanying Documents
- proof of union status
- Carnet documents
You should get documents requiring a wet stamp in the usual way, unless you have agreed alternate procedures.
You must provide hard copies of licenses and other documents to the appropriate importer or exporter, by post if necessary. These should be retained in the normal way.
Export Approvals
Traders may apply for permission to extend that authorisation to additional locations, if they are authorised to use:
- Designated Export Places
- Customs Supervised Exports
- Local Clearance Procedures
This will allow you to request ‘permission to progress’ without first needing the goods to be located at the premises set out in your approval.