Customs & Documentation
The UK is no longer part of the Customs Union with the EU, and documentation will be required when goods are in transit.
Customs Declaration Service
New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) Phase 5
NCTS5
HMRC more information from HMRC about Commodity Codes and office of Incident Document on link below:-
From 22nd January 2025 - Commodity Code Changes
Are you prepared for the new custom filing requirements for the EU?
7th November - Changes introduced in CDS release 4.6.1.1
Import Control System 2 - Release 3 - European Commission (europa.eu)
Links to documentation from UK government website
- Check here if you need to declare goods you bring into or take out of Great Britain - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) - This is very general and is based on permanent exports/imports, with goods origin being from home country/territory. So for example, GB to EU assumes that the goods are of GB origin (ie non-EU). Whereas EU to the GB assumes goods are EU origin. Excludes customs bonded goods, temporary imports/exports for repair/return, hire machines, etc.
There are different rules for other types of movements/cargo origins (hire machines, temporary exports/imports) so for these, checks will be made on a case by case basis.
Are Customs Declarations Required? | This is only for permanent exports/imports with goods of home origin. |
---|---|
NI to IRE | No customs declarations required |
NI to GB | No customs declarations required |
NI to EU (Direct) | No customs declarations required |
IRE to NI | No customs declarations required |
IRE to GB | Export declaration required in IRE and Import declaration required in GB |
IRE to EU (Direct) | No customs declarations required |
GB to IRE | Export declaration required in GB and Import declaration required in IRE |
GB to NI | Import declaration required in NI only |
GB to EU | Export declaration required in GB and Import declaration required in EU* |
EU to GB | Export declaration required in EU and Import declaration required in GB |
EU to NI (Direct) | No customs declarations required |
EU to IRE (Direct) | No customs declarations required |
Customs clearance declarations - ALS require the following information/documentation at the time of booking:
EXPORTS
- Packing List
Description of goods
No. of items
Gross and net weight
Type of packaging
Commercial Invoice
- Exporter:-
Company Name & Address
VAT Number
EORI Number (for info: https://www.gov.uk/eori)
- Importer:-
Company Name & Address
VAT Number
EORI Number (for info: https://www.gov.uk/eori) - Statement of origin (product(s) preferential country of origin)
- Currency of invoice
- Itemised and Total value
- Incoterm and place
- Invoice Number and Date
- HS Tariff/Commodity Codes (for info: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/finding-commodity-codes-for-imports-or-exports)
- CPC Code (for info: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-trade-tariff-customs-procedure-codes)
- Consignee (if different to Importer)
Company Name & Address
Contact Name, Tel, Email
- Final Destination (if different to Importer or Consignee)
Company Name and Address
Contact Name, Tel, Email
- Shipping line booking details/routing
- Vehicle registration
- EU Customs Agent details
Agent Name and Address
Contact Name, Tel, Email
- Customs Office of Destination and Code – for Customs Transit only (T1, T2).
Site Availability - Inland Border Facility
- Copy documentation for any applicable (product) Certificates, Permits, or Licences
Letter of Authority (Power of Authority)
IMPORTS
We would require all of the above information, plus:
- Copy of Export Declaration
- Commercial Invoice (With REX Number)
- Details of Importers arrangements for payment of Customs Import VAT (and Duty where applicable) – for example, if using FAS (Flexible Accounting System), PVA (Postponed VAT Accounting), or a Deferment Account. Importer to separately arrange payment of Customs VAT, Duties, and any other applicable taxes/payments for importation including product licences, import permits, etc.
- CDS Authorization Number
IMPORTANT
• All Customs Clearance services provided by ALS are chargeable and are in addition to freight charges unless specified otherwise; please kindly contact your ALS Representative for details.
• Any/All costs incurred due to delays caused by late or incorrect customs information/documentation will be for the client’s account.
• Goods may be subject to cargo inspections by Border Control; any/all costs and charges for Border Control Inspections will be for the client’s account
EORI number
Your EORI number will be required for any customs declaration. If you don't hold an EORI number from HMRC — Click here.
T1 Transit Document
Required for non-EU goods (i.e. Great Britain (GB)) to enable free movement within the EU without attracting duty/tax. This is made electronically by the customs agent who also needs to have a guarantee in place with HMRC.
Although the *T1 is made electronically, a Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) is also generated that must accompany the goods during transit and needs to be presented with the goods at any offices of transit. Normally, this would be presented at the Export Port, Import Port, and also at the office of destination, where the T1 must be closed/discharged, in order for the release to be granted on the guarantee of the customs agent making the T1. Here at the office of destination final customs clearance is made any duties and taxes are payable.
T2 Transit Document
Required for EU goods that are in free circulation in EU in order to transit non-EU country without attracting duty/taxes.
So from Northern Ireland or EU (inc Ireland) goods are EU status, so in free circulation in EU. However, when passing through non-EU (ie through Great Britain) a T2 is needed to transit.
Like T1, the T2 document needs to be closed upon arrival at destination by sending an arrival message in the NCTS system (New Computerised Transit System).
NI via GB to EU - Customs declaration required in NI, T2 transit doc* required in GB, Customs declaration required in EU.
EU via GB to NI - Customs declaration required in EU, T2 transit doc* required in GB, Customs declaration required in NI.
IRE via GB to EU - Customs declaration required in IRE, T2 transit doc* required in GB, Customs declaration required in EU.
EU via GB to IRE - Customs declaration required in EU, T2 transit doc* required in GB, Customs declaration required in IRE.
Should you require UK customs clearance formalities for your shipments, please contact ALS.
For more information please contact: sales@als-europe.com or info@als-europe.com