London, United Kingdom
Customs clearance in London
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from London. Customs clearance in the United Kingdom is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Industries in London and how we support them
London's demand is shaped by finance, professional services and a large consumer market. Banks and data centres import IT hardware and replacement components; the pharma and life-science sector around the capital ships samples, clinical trial material and temperature-sensitive products; fashion houses, jewellers in Hatton Garden and art dealers move high-value consignments; and e-commerce sellers need regular imports for fulfilment centres around the M25. Ziem Logistics supports these flows with air freight under our own air waybills from Heathrow and Stansted, Next Flight Out for urgent replacement parts, On-Board Courier for documents, samples or valuables that must stay hand-carried, and in-house UK customs clearance for both imports and exports.
Operational logistics facts for London
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow (LHR) cargo area | Long-haul belly capacity, pharma, high-value goods | Direct passenger-aircraft routes to most intercontinental markets without a European transfer |
| London Stansted (STN) | Freighter and express operations | Main-deck capacity for oversized or freighter-only cargo close to the capital |
| London Gateway and Port of Tilbury | Deep-sea and short-sea container traffic on the Thames | Sea freight landed directly at London's doorstep with rail options inland |
| Port of Felixstowe | FCL/LCL from Asia and other deep-sea trades | The UK's main container port, reached via the A14 and A12 |
Airports, seaports and connections in London
- AirportHeathrow
LHR - AirportStansted
STN - SeaportLondon Gateway, Felixstowe and Tilbury
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the UK's largest cargo airport. Most of its freight travels in the bellies of long-haul passenger aircraft, which gives London shippers a wide choice of direct routes to North America, the Middle East and Asia. London Stansted (STN), north-east of the city, handles dedicated freighter and express operations, and London Gatwick (LGW) adds further belly capacity to the south. For sea freight, the Thames estuary offers two deep-sea options, London Gateway and the Port of Tilbury, while Felixstowe in Suffolk remains the UK's main container port and is commonly used for London-bound FCL.
The M25 orbital motorway ties the airports and ports together: the M4 and M23 serve Heathrow and Gatwick, the M11 runs to Stansted, and the A13 links central and east London with Tilbury and London Gateway. Felixstowe is reached via the A12 and A14. London Gateway and Tilbury are both rail-connected, so containers can move inland by rail as well as by truck. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Greater London and the Home Counties.
Clearance by our own team in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom our own customs team files the declarations. Questions about classification, valuation or missing documents are answered directly by the people who prepare the entry, without a third party in between.
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.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in the United Kingdom can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
Who clears my imports arriving at Heathrow?
Our own customs team files the import declaration with HMRC in the Customs Declaration Service (CDS). We need your GB EORI number, the commercial invoice, packing list and the correct commodity code under the UK Global Tariff. Clearance can be prepared before the flight lands, as long as the documents are complete.
Can you clear sea freight landing at London Gateway, Tilbury or Felixstowe?
Yes. The declaration is handled in-house regardless of which port the container arrives at. We coordinate release with the terminal and arrange onward haulage to your premises in the London area once HMRC has cleared the goods and any duties or VAT are settled.
Do you help with tariff classification for luxury goods and fashion?
Yes. Classification of textiles, leather goods, watches and jewellery under the UK Global Tariff can be detailed, and the code determines duty and any preference under UK trade agreements. Our customs team reviews product descriptions and materials and confirms the commodity code before goods are shipped.