Customs - export import requirements EU UK

28/01/2022

Q: WHAT’s THE BEST WAY TO AVOID BEING SCAMMED BY ILLEGAL TRANSPORTER ?

A: PAY VIA BANK TRANSFER TO BUSINESS BANK ACCOUNT ONLY
NEVER PAY CASH !
DEMAND PRO-FORMA INVOICE BEFORE COLLECTION !

10/10/2021

There are goods being seized/confiscated by Customs every day.
One of the most common reason is the illegal goods entry meaning the official mandatory import process (declaration) hasn’t been processed.
If your goods (new or used) are shipped/transported by commercial operator it’s mandatory to declare them BEFORE entry.
It’s fairly simple process and cost around £120 in total but has to be followed.
There is no excuse for not declaring the transfer of residence.
If you fell a victim of illegal transport activity there is still slight chance to win the case:

This notice explains what to do if you have something seized by HMRC or Border Force.

10/10/2021

When preparing your INVENTORY LIST make sure you have full transporter’s assistance regarding HS COMMODITY CODES. You could avoid having your goods confiscated if YOUR TRANSPORTER STICKS TO THE RULES.

10/10/2021

Dear public.
Please ALWAYS:
1: request the evidence of customs clearance from your transporter.
2: insist on knowing which customs agency will be handling your customs process.
3: contact both customs agencies to confirm they have all the info required.
4: make sure you are aware what are your legal obligations as an exporter or importer regardless if it’s commercial load of just used personal effects being transported.
5: request your transport invoice from transporter BEFORE goods collection
6: request copies of the EX (export), T1 (transit) and IEA (import acceptance) as soon as these are produced by the customs agents.
7: request the CMR on goods collection and check all details are correct.

If you haven’t been asked for a copy of your ID
If you haven’t been asked for your EORI number
If you haven’t received an invoice, CMR, EX, T1, IEA - your goods were most likely smuggled through the border.

DO NOT FALL THE VICTIM !!!!
Protect yourself !
Make others aware !

10/10/2021

Public awareness is awaken !
Glad to see customers asking questions which should be asked.

https://www.facebook.com/103421241633790/posts/277097904266122/?d=n

20/09/2021

CASE STUDY 1:

Circumstances:
A: UK National
B: No BG residency rights
C: No BG EORI
D: Last visit to Bulgaria over 3 years ago
E: Permanent residency in UK for over 3 years
F: NO ToR rights.
————————————————————————
We’ve been booked to deliver part-removal of personal effects from BG to UK.
We have discussed the details and offered quotation.
UK customer’s Bulgarian residency card expired back in 2012 and we weren’t able to apply for their EORI number due to lack of residency rights.

Due to customer’s circumstances we have had to issue alternative set of paperwork which were approved by BG Central Customs and goods now 100% LEGALLY on their way to the UK.

Customer will be charged £25 VAT plus £25 processing fee by HMRC to discharge the import from Bulgaria.

SUMMARY: YOU (YOURSELF) WON’T BE ABLE TO LEGALLY declare the export of personal effects from EU to UK without the valid proof of your EU residency rights.

There is a free solution to legally move your goods from EU Customs zone to the UK Customs zone at no extra cost.

CMR issued, PRO-FORMA invoice created, warehouse inventory manifest created, EX processed.

AND NO ! ITS NOT SMUGGLING THE GOODS VIA THE CUSTOMS BORDER 😂

Please contact us for free professional advise.

16/09/2021

REQUIREMENT 2 : CUSTOMS 🛃 - EXPORTING/SENDING FROM 🇬🇧 to 🇪🇺

Due to the fact that United Kingdom left European Union Customs Zone ALL goods movement incl PERSONAL EFFECTS is subject to CUSTOMS PROCEDURE.

Sender of goods is required by law to prepare correct export documentation.
There are 2 ways of having your goods MOVED LEGALLY between Uk 🇬🇧 and EU 🇪🇺:

Sender prepares EXPORT :
1: Sender is contacting their Customs Agents in UK and providing the following : UK EORI number, Inventory list with volume, weight and value of items in their inventory, sales invoice (if applicable), recipients EORI number and details.
Sender makes contact with their appointed CUSTOMS AGENTS in country of destination and closes the documents exchange link preparing EU Customs agents for discharge.
2: Upon verifying all documents are correct UK Customs agent issues ready fir export certificate called EX and if transport involved transit via other EU member states document called T1 permitting sender’s goods to legally transit via EU member states to the country of destination.
3: Transporter arrives to sender’s location to collect the goods, CMR note is being stamped and signed, all details checked and driver collects EX certificate from sender along with instructions of designated Customs clearance offices where all documents are checked by HMRC officers and if everything correct MRN code and T1 certificate is issued permitting goods to exit UK CUSTOMS ZONE and enter EU CUSTOMS ZONE.

At this stage driver is obliged to provide copy of T1 certificate to the SENDER of goods.

4: Driver arrives to the final export Customs
checks at exit point (e Folkestone, Dover) via FREIGHT SERVICE where export and transit certificates are scanned before embarkation.
5: Once goods arrive to EU they are covered by TRANSIT guarantee issued by Senders Customs agent in UK.

to be continued.

14/09/2021

COMMING TOMORROW:
REQUIREMENT 2 : CUSTOMS 🛃 - EXPORTING/SENDING FROM 🇬🇧 to 🇪🇺

10/09/2021

GOV.OK on 🇪🇺 to 🇬🇧 transport

10/09/2021

GOV.UK on 🇬🇧 to 🇪🇺 transport

https://www.gov.uk/check-customs-declaration?step-by-step-nav=5644f562-0af5-4d85-b112-9b0a12fd10f0

10/09/2021

REQUIREMENT 1 : THE “CMR” (info + Q&A)

CMR “contract” - One of the most important documents in the transport industry.
CMR is a uniformed contract note prepared by both SENDER/EXPORTER and TRANSPORTER prepared in 3 copies for sender/transporter/recipient.

Q: Do I need CMR if my transporter is transporting my old, used personal belongings ?
A: ABSOLUTELY YES.
All goods moved by registered legitimate transporters require CMR and all HAVE TO BE DECLARED TO CUSTOMS FOR EXPORT AND IMPORT !

IMPORTANT !

EXPORT/IMPORT procedure can’t be started and completed without the official CMR note.
CMR note will be requested from you or your transporter to initiate the EXPORT/IMPORT process.

WARNING !

If you haven’t both (sender/transporter) issued, stamped (transporter) and signed (both) the CMR note or your transporter never mentioned one - YOUR GOODS MAY BE ILLEGALLY SMUGGLED THROUGH THE BORDER and if transporter caught - entire load could be confiscated by customs in any transit country by customs authorities.

Q: What is CMR and why is it important ?
A: CMR is a binding contractual uniformed document recognised by all CMR convention signatory countries.
CMR also confirms transporters INSURANCE LIABILITY and in case of goods being damaged or stolen YOU (sender) could claim compensation of 8.33SDR per kilogram of transported goods.

Q: What is SDR and how much it’s worth in my currency ?
A: SDR translate to SPECIAL DRAWING RIGHTS established by IMF (International Monetary Fund) and is a form of official currency within the transport industry.
SDR has a value and it’s announced annually by IMF. You can check how much your cargo is worth right here : https://www.cargohub.nl/frombox/index1.php

Q: When CMR should be prepared and what details are needed ?
A: Reputable companies issue CMR beforehand, usually right after the terms of service have been accepted and quotation agreed.
Transporter has to fill the sections which apply to his/her business registered details which due to the number of scammers ALWAYS have to be checked: Full name, company address, vehicle registration mark, operators EORI number (highly recommended but not required by law).
CMR should be emailed to the sender for verification before goods collection.
CMR has to be stamped (wet stamp) by transporter and signed by sender and transporter on collection.
Please make sure DELIVERY and COLLECTION DATES have been filled.

Q: What happens to CMR on goods collection ?
A: Sender verifies all CMR details are correct, checking vehicles registration mark and driver details.
Sender is KEEPING one copy of stamped and signed CMR as that’s the only document allowing them to claim.
Driver keeps 2 copies, 1st for his records and Customs and 2nd for recipient of goods who upon checking for damages and quantities signs CMR in the bottom right box with location, date and delivery time.
Once goods signed on delivery - TRANSPORTER OBLIGATIONS END and service is regarded as accomplished with no further compensation rights being allowed.

IMPORTANT :
Please check all goods for correct quantities and damages before signing CMR on delivery.

WARNING : Please clearly write your full name just above or under the signature on delivery in case a graphologists intervention required in claims process.

RECIPIENT KEEPS THE FINAL SIGNED, STAMPED AND DATED COPY for their records.

Q: Will Customs authorities request CMR note and could my goods be exported/imported without one ?
A: NO ! CMR document is always REQUIRED and COPIED by the customs authorities and they keep the evidence of goods movement in archives.
You WILL NOT be allowed to export/import your personal belongings, commercial goods without CMR.

SUMMARY:

The CMR Consignment Note serves both as an evidential document (at a civil level) and a control document (at an administrative level, its absence may lead to an administrative or criminal sanction).
The CMR consignment note is considered as a proof of the contract of carriage but the absence, irregularity or loss of the consignment note does not affect the existence or the validity of the contract of carriage, which shall remain subject to the provisions of the CMR Convention (Article 4).

COMMING NEXT:
REQUIREMENT 2 : CUSTOMS 🛃 - EXPORTING/SENDING FROM 🇬🇧 to 🇪🇺

10/09/2021

Ok folks. Let’s get started with some very important guidance which will protect you and your goods.

You’ll find all STEP by STEP information on legal requirements and obligations which apply to you as a SENDER/EXPORTER or to your TRANSPORTER.