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The UK’s departure from the EU has brought significant changes to the UK’s trade landscape and businesses.
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Importing Automotive Parts
The UK’s departure from the EU has brought significant changes to the UK’s trade landscape and businesses that previously never needed to know about importing, exporting and tariffs now need to become specialists fast. The UK government announced phased border controls on goods coming from the EU into Great Britain on 1 July 2021 and although you have up to 6 months to complete the process, delaying your customs declaration will create a backlog, increasing administration costs, and liability for any tax duties due on goods. And with a spotlight on corporate governance, it is essential than ever to know the customs process inside out. Here is what you need to know about importing automotive parts into the UK.
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Get Your Business Import-Ready
To import car parts into the UK, you will need a 12-digit Economic Operator Registration and Identification Number (EORI) starting with GB. To get an EORI number, your business needs to “be established” , that is, have premises based in the UK. Your premises will need to be a:
- Registered office
- Central headquarter
- Permanent business establishment.
Keep in mind that you do not need an EORI number to move goods for personal use. You will need an EORI number when using HMRC’s customs systems like Customs Handling of Imports and Export Freight (CHIEF). The business exporting car parts to you will need to submit an export declaration in their country and have the license or certificates to export to the UK. Check that your seller is certified to export from their country.
REQUIREMENTS
Import Requirements
Get a Customs Agent
Get a Customs Agent
Most dealers specialising in importing car parts use a freight forwarder as their customs agent. You can hire a freight company to handle customs, such as:
- Customs Agent or Brokers,
- Air freight operator,
- Road freight courier,
- Sea freight company.
A specialist freight forwarder can act for you, either as a direct or indirect representative, but they cannot work on your behalf without written instructions from you. Keep in mind that, if the need arises, HMRC will ask for evidence of authorisation. To fill a declaration on your behalf your courier will need proof of origin, a detailed description of the consignment, the appropriate licence, and your EORI number.
Commodity code and value of goods
Commodity code and value of goods
Whether you submit a full declaration or a simplified declaration, you will need commodity codes to determine the rate of duty payable. You can find the commodity codes for importing automotive parts in the tariff tool, which will help you complete import declarations and other paperwork and pay the right duty and VAT. Before searching for commodity codes, its best to have some details at hand such as:
- The type of product, e.g. Car parts
- Purpose of the product,
- The material used to make it and
- The way it is packaged.
Chapter 87 of the HS tariff code covers automotive parts. Many of the common car parts fall under this chapter. For example:
- To import brakes and servo-brakes use code 8708300000,
- For gearboxes and parts, code 8708400000,
- For road wheels, parts and accessories enter code 8708700000,
- To Import suspension shock-absorbers, code 8708803500 and
- To bring in steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes use code 8708943500.
Paying VAT and Customs Duty
Paying VAT and Customs Duty
After your specialist freight forwarder gets your car parts through the border, you will need to pay duty to have them released into free circulation or warehouse storage. HMRC allows you to pay customs duty, excise duty and VAT in several ways. You can use the flexible accounting system to pay by card, cheque or bank transfer, or use Direct Trade Input(DTI). If you have a duty deferment account, you can delay payment until an agreed future date.
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Barrington Freight is a proud expert in quick, cost-effective deliveries to the UK, Europe and across the globe. From commercial deliveries sent by retailers to freight sent by manufacturers exporting to the UK, we offer efficient and dedicated next day delivery shipment to the UK and across Europe. Express vehicles make it possible to deliver cargo in just 24 hours via road freight services. We are strategically placed near the M25 for efficient service in London and its surroundings. Contact us today for a quote!
