In-house customs team
Customs clearance and freight forwarding in the United Kingdom
Since the UK left the EU, every shipment between Britain and Europe needs full customs declarations on both sides. The UK is also one of Europe's largest air cargo markets for trade with Asia and North America.
Shipping to and from the United Kingdom
UK import and export declarations are filed through HMRC's Customs Declaration Service (CDS) and assessed under the UK Global Tariff. Importers need a GB EORI number, and many can use postponed VAT accounting to avoid paying import VAT at the border. We set this up correctly from the first shipment.
Because we also clear customs in-house in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Greece and the Baltics, our own team can file both the UK and the European side of a shipment.
Key facts for the United Kingdom
- Customs clearance
- In-house customs team
- Customs authority
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- Framework and systems
- UK Global Tariff, CDS
- Importer registration
- a GB EORI number issued by HMRC
- Main airports
- London Heathrow (LHR), Manchester (MAN), East Midlands (EMA), London Stansted (STN)
- Main seaports
- Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway
- Road freight
- Road freight between the UK and the EU via the Channel crossings, with customs on both sides by our own team.
- Peak and holiday periods
- bank holidays (Easter, May, late August) and Christmas to New Year
What we handle in the United Kingdom
UK import clearance
Declarations via CDS, duty calculation under the UK Global Tariff and postponed VAT accounting where eligible.
UK export declarations
Export filings and evidence of export for zero-rated VAT supplies.
UK-EU shipments
Export and import formalities on both sides of the Channel, handled by one team.
Origin & preference checks
Checks for zero tariffs under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and other UK trade agreements.
Air freight with own AWB
Direct air waybills from Heathrow, Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted.
Services in the United Kingdom
- Air freight to and from the United KingdomAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight to and from the United KingdomFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in the United KingdomImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Customs clearance in the United Kingdom
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in the United Kingdom is handled by our own in-house customs team.
For air freight to and from the United Kingdom we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in the United Kingdom need a GB EORI number issued by HMRC.