Customs Regulations in United Kingdom

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

The C3 customs form is required to clear each shipment through customs. Customs is very strict about this form, and will only accept original forms with original ink signatures, i.e.; fax copies are not accepted.

• Customs Form (Import Declaration), two fully completed originals need to be provided to Customs
• C-3 (Household goods and personal effects for primary residence)
• C-33 (Household goods and personal effects for secondary residence)
• C426 (for diplomatic entry)
• C104A/C104F/C384 (Motor Vehicles)
• C-5 (Pets)
• Valid Passport
• Visa may be required
• Work Permit
• Detailed Inventory in English, two copies, valued, dated and signed by Customer
• Keys for any locked items

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• Goods must arrive within twelve months after Customer or up to six months before customers arrival
• Other regulations vary according to the following:
• Customer moving principal home or returning to the United Kingdom:
• Used household goods and personal effects including tools of trade, can be duty-free if:
• Items have been in Customer's own use for at least six months before they are imported
• Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom
• Customer declares them on C-3
• Customer entering from outside the EC must have lived at least twelve months abroad and cannot sell, lend or hire out or otherwise dispose of the items in the United Kingdom within twelve months of importation, unless Customer obtains Customs authority first
• Customer who is setting up a secondary home in the United Kingdom
• Customers living in another EC country used household goods
  • Household goods and personal effects can be duty and tax free if:
  • Customer either owns a secondary home in the United Kingdom or is renting one for at least twelve months
  • Items have been for Customer's own use at least three months prior to importation and will not be sold within twelve months after importation
  • Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom
  • Customer declares them on C-33
• Customers living outside the EC
  • Used household goods and personal effects can be duty, but not VAT free if:
  • Customer has lived for at least twelve months outside the EC
  • Customer either owns a secondary home in the United Kingdom or is renting one for at least twenty-four months
  • Customer has owned and used the items for at least six months before they are imported
  • Customer can not sell, lend, hire out or otherwise dispose of the items in the United Kingdom within twelve months of importation, unless Customs authority is obtained first
  • Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom
  • Customer declares them on C-33
  • Special regulations apply to students, newlyweds, visitors, inheritances, those shortly to marry, to goods originating from EC countries, personal antiques (not for resale), etc. Specific details in these cases must be obtained by Customer directly from Embassy/Consulate.

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• New items, if less than six months old (invoice required)
• Alcohol, tobacco and perfume products dutiable and must be declared on Customs Form
• (C-3 or C-33); PRESENCE OF THESE ITEMS CAN RESULT IN FULL INSPECTION OF ENTIRE SHIPMENT (SHOULD NOT BE SHIPPED WITH HOUSEHOLD GOODS.)
• Plants will need a Phytosanitary Certificate

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Firearms
• Valid Firearms Certificate issued by the police authorities
• All handguns other than certain .22 caliber target pistols, are now illegal in the United Kingdom. Importation is strictly prohibited
• Ammunition, flick knives, explosives and fireworks
• Drugs and narcotics
• Counterfeit currency
• Pornographic material and horror comics
• Meat, poultry, fish and other animal products
• Radio transmitters (CB radios, walkie-talkie, cordless telephones, etc.) not approved for use in the United Kingdom
• Trees, plants, shrubs, seeds, bulbs, soil, potatoes and certain other vegetables and fruits
• Most animals and all birds, whether alive or dead (i.e. stuffed) and certain articles derived from protected endangered species including furskins, ivory, reptile leather and goods made from the endangered species

MOTOR VEHICLES

(Including trailers, boats, aircraft, etc.)

• CUSTOMER'S PRESENCE AT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE MAY BE REQUIRED
• Importation for most private vehicles is duty-free if:
  • Owner moving primary residence to the United Kingdom (Customer living outside the EC must have been abroad for more than twelve months) and vehicle has been owned and used abroad by Customer for at least six months
  • Was not purchased under duty/tax-free scheme, is for personal use and is not to be resold within one year of importation
• Declaration to HM Customs - must specify year of manufacture, make, model name, serial number, chassis number, engine number, cubic engine capacity, number of cylinders, whether petrol or diesel, whether left or right hand drive, description of the body, price, the odometer reading, any extra or special features (e.g. automatic transmission) and any defects in the auto that would bring the price down
• Documents Required:
  • Customs Form C104A (Importing vehicle in connection with moving main residence to the United Kingdom)
  • Customs Form C104F (Importing vehicle for a 6-12 month period)
  • Customs Form C384 (Importing vehicle when duty is applicable)
  • Community Transit Document (T2) obtained from Customs office in the country of exportation
  • Registration papers/Title
  • Police Certificate or Registration
  • Insurance Policy
  • Original Purchase Invoice
  • Log Book

PETS

• Very strict restrictions apply
• Health Certificate and proof of inoculation required
• Customs Form C-5 required
• Dogs and cats: six months quarantine required in government approved facility
• Quarantine kennel space limited, must be booked prior to importation
• Import License - not granted until other requirements have been met, and quarantine (six months) in licensed facility has been arranged