How-to guides
Step-by-step guides for UK importers and exporters: duty and VAT, commodity codes, paperwork, and choosing how to ship.
Importing and exporting is mostly the same handful of steps every time: get the commodity code right, work out the duty and VAT, prepare the paperwork, choose how to ship, and make sure the declaration is correct. Get those right and most of the cost and delay disappears.
These guides are written by our customs and freight team in Essex, based on the questions customers ask us every week. Each one ends with a checklist you can use on your next shipment.
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How-to guides
Can I import small cargo from China? Yes, here's how Importing a few cartons or a pallet from China: courier, air freight and sea part load compared, with timings, charges and paperwork.
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Full container or part load? How to choose When a full container (FCL) is cheaper than groupage (LCL), the 15 cubic metre rule of thumb, and the other things that should decide it.
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How to export from the UK: a step-by-step guide How to export goods from the UK: EORI, commodity codes, licences, Incoterms, export declarations, proof of origin and VAT zero-rating.
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How to import from China to the UK: a step-by-step guide How to import goods from China to the UK: suppliers, product safety, duty, Incoterms, shipping options, customs and the real landed cost.
How-to guides
Import duty and VAT on goods from Bangladesh How the UK DCTS keeps most Bangladesh imports duty-free, the proof of origin you need, and what changes after LDC graduation.
How-to guides
Why importing a car from Japan is easier than you think Right-hand drive, graded auctions, 0% duty on Japanese-built cars, and one team for shipping, customs, NOVA and IVA.
How-to guides
The documents you need to import into the UK A plain checklist of paperwork for importing into the UK: EORI, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, commodity codes and origin.
How-to guides
What is a freight forwarder, and do you need one? What freight forwarders do, how they differ from shipping lines and customs brokers, and how to choose a good one in the UK.
How-to guides
What are HS codes and how do you find the tariff rate? HS codes, commodity codes and tariff codes explained, how to find your code and duty rate on the UK Trade Tariff, and what to do if you're unsure.
How-to guides
What is import duty and import VAT? A plain-English guide The difference between UK import duty and import VAT, how each is calculated with worked examples, and how to reduce, defer or reclaim them.
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