Importing goods to the UK doesn’t have to be complicated. Of course, anyone importing goods needs to be aware of the rules and legislation involved and there is a great deal to be considered before getting started. However, there is a solution to making the process more straightforward… Work with experienced freight forwarding, logistics and import and customs experts!
Keeping up to date with legislation and the required paperwork can be daunting; the key is to partner with a freight forwarding company with extensive experience and expertise in customs and importing. Choosing the right provider will simplify the process, making it painless and uncomplicated.
At Grace Overseas, not only do we have decades of experience when it comes to managing imports via road, sea and air, we also have customs agents in all major EU exit and entry ports, ensuring someone is on hand to help in any eventuality. This enables us to provide our clients with a complete end-to-end service and ensure a seamless process.
So, whether you are looking to import products for the first time and need guidance through the process or are looking for a new service provider, we can help!
We will take care of as much of the administration as possible. However, as the importer, there are certain things that you must do and be aware of to ensure you are compliant with regulations.
Key points to consider when importing goods
Customs duty
Are the goods you are importing liable for import duty? If they are, then this will need to be paid directly to HMRC or your deferment account.
Alternatively, you can set up a Customs Declaration Service (CDS) Cash Account through your Tax Scheme via HMRC. If you require help with this the team at Grace Overseas can assist you or your accounting team.
Grace Overseas can also make a FAS payment on your behalf, or you can send this payment directly to HMRC.
VAT
All imports are subject to VAT, which is usually paid at the time of import.
For VAT registered businesses, there may be the option to include this payment within your annual VAT return rather than at the time of import. We recommend speaking to your accountant or finance team to find out if you are eligible for Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA).
EORI
You will need an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number (EORI) to import any goods. If you do not already have one, then you can obtain this via your Government Gateway account or contact HMRC.
Incoterms
You’ll need to understand Incoterms and how they impact you and your liability within the process. Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) define where the responsibility for the goods lies in the chain between the buyer and seller. That is to say, the point at which you become responsible for the shipment and therefore for transportation, insurance, custom taxes and duties etc.
How to get started
There are some steps you need to take to get started!
Reducing admin and paperwork and providing reassurance is what we do, but first for Grace Overseas to act on your behalf as a Customs representative, a POA Letter of Authorisation (on your letterhead) must be completed and signed. You can find a template letter here to save you time.
You must also supply us with a commercial invoice and packing list for all import shipments. This sample commercial invoice on our website will help as a guide to the information which needs to be included.
We can only complete and submit customs declarations on your behalf when we have these documents in place.
We will also need the following information:
> A description of the goods
> Packaging information
> The weight of the shipment (gross and net)
> Commercial value of the shipment and currency information
> Commodity codes – for imports, this is a 10-digit code, we can help with this if you don’t know the code
> The country of origin of the goods
At Grace Overseas, we are AEO certified. This certification gives our customers peace of mind that we meet internationally recognised standards and that our supply chain is secure with customs controls in place. We also have badge codes for every UK port, so we are in a position to facilitate the smooth transit of your goods through any route.
All UK imports are handled in-house by our expert team. Our staff have been highly trained with the UK Customs Academy, and many of them are multilingual. They are on hand to support you through the process, leaving you with more time to focus on other aspects of your business.
Our support doesn’t have to end when your goods clear customs. We also have extensive warehousing and storage for shipments, so if you don’t have your own storage facility or need additional storage for your imports when they arrive in the UK, we can provide this for shipments of all shapes and sizes.
If you need advice on importing goods or are looking for a customs clearance partner to work with, then get in touch to discuss your requirements.