Customs Clearance in Road Transport

Below are listed key required documents to arrange import clearance on transport to the United Kingdom:

• Commercial Invoice: Specifies the value, description, and terms of the transaction.
• Packing List: Lists the shipment’s contents, weights, and dimensions.
• CMR Note: A road transport document confirming shipment details.
• Import/Export Licenses: Mandatory for restricted goods like chemicals, firearms, or agricultural products.
• EORI Number: An Economic Operator Registration and Identification number is required for both importers and exporters in the UK.

Customs Declarations: Declarations must be submitted electronically via the Customs Declaration Service (CDS). These include:

• Commodity Code: Classifies goods to determine duty rates.
• Value of Goods: Determines the amount of duty and VAT.
• Origin and Destination: tariffs under specific trade agreements.

Many businesses use customs brokers to handle this step, ensuring compliance with complex regulations.

Safety and security requirements:

Entry Summary Declaration (ENS): Ensures security compliance for goods entering the UK.

Exit Summary Declaration (EXS): Required for goods leaving the UK.

Inspections: Goods may undergo random inspections or be flagged for review based on risk assessments. Inspections may include physical checks or document verification.

Release of Goods: Once duties and taxes are paid, goods are cleared for delivery to their destination.

Key Road Freight Entry Points into the UK

• Dover and Folkestone (Eurotunnel): Main gateways for goods from Europe.
• Hull and Immingham: Ports specialising in freight from northern Europe.
• Felixstowe: Handles containerised road freight and multimodal transport.
• Liverpool: Key for trade with Ireland and transatlantic shipping.

Attending an inland border facility

Inland border facilities are UK government sites where customs and document checks can take place away from port locations. You only need to attend an inland border facility if you’re travelling through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel, or Holyhead and you’re moving goods.

Location:

Sevington

At the Sevington inland border facility, you’ll be able to:

• start transit movement (office of departure)
• end transit movement (office of destination)
• stamp ATA and TIR Carnets
• process CITES permits

Holyhead

At the Holyhead inland border facility, you’ll be able to:

• start transit movement (office of departure)
• end transit movement (office of destination)
• stamp ATA and TIR Carnets
• process CITES permits
• receive physical checks and inspections

Effective customs clearance minimises delays, ensuring a smooth supply chain. Using professional freight forwarders or brokers is often recommended to navigate regulations efficiently.