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Following Brexit, the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was drafted and came into effect on 1 January 2021.
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Importing Electronics
Import procedures from the EU to Great Britain have permanently changed under the UK-EU TCA to include new customs processes, administration and checks. You, therefore, need to adjust to the significant changes this brings to import operations.
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Get an EORI number and VAT Registration Number
As with other goods, importing electronics to the UK calls for an EORI number. To import products into England, Wales, or Scotland, you must have a number that begins with GB, and to import into Northern Ireland, you must have a number that begins with XI. If you only had an EU EORI number before 2021, you will need to get one from HMRC.
Similarly, before Brexit, many businesses could operate under EU simplifications. If your business used to work under these rules, you now need to register for a UK VAT number to import electronics and other products to the UK. A VAT import certificate will keep you from paying unnecessary import taxes and will allow you to get a VAT refund for any import duties you have paid.
REQUIREMENTS
Import Requirements
Labelling
Labelling
Imported electronics need to be labelled with a CE mark that is at least 5mm high. If this mark cannot go on the product, it should go on the packaging or a document accompanying the electronic item. Ensure that the identification labelling allows a clear link to the declaration of conformity or any other documentation that can show the conformity of the product. You also need to mark your imported electronics with:
- The name or trademark of the manufacturer
- Manufacturer’s address
- A serial number for identification.
Commodity Codes, Import Duties and VAT
Commodity Codes, Import Duties and VAT
On your import declaration, you must include the commodity code for your electronics. This code will determine the applicable duty rate and whether an import license is required. Chapter 85 covers the commodity codes for importing electronics. For example:
- 8528721000 for importing televisions and
- 8518220090 for importing speakers.
Some electronic goods are difficult to classify, and are covered under chapter 84. For example:
- importing computers goes under code 8471 and
- importing robotics goes under code 8479.
It’s best to let a customs agent or a specialist freight forwarding company deal with customs.
To calculate how much VAT is payable, you must first determine the value of your goods. If you import from a country with a trade agreement with the UK, you may be eligible for a preferential rate on your electronics. To obtain this rate, you must:
- classify the goods under the right commodity code
- check that the goods meet the rules of origin and
- provide proof of origin.
Customs Declarations
Customs Declarations
A customs declaration is a legal document declaring the value and content of imported or exported goods. Your freight forwarder or carrier is responsible for submitting an import declaration.
- If your goods travel by air, the carrier will be the air freight company.
- For goods travelling by maritime, the carrier will be the sea freight operator.
An import declaration in CHIEF is a form with 68 boxes to be completed and submitted electronically through approved software. A full import declaration includes:
- A customs procedure code
- A commodity code
- Your Declaration Unique Consignment Reference (DUCR)
- The departure point and destination
- A consignee and consignor
- The nature, quantity and packaging of your goods
- The transport methods and costs
- The currencies and valuation methods
- The certificates and licences.
Instead of a full declaration, you can get permission to submit a simplified declaration to speed things up. To apply for a simplified declaration, you’ll need:
- an EORI number
- HMRC authorisation
- computer software that can communicate with the Customs Declaration Service or CHIEF
- an account for paying duty
We are friendly, easy to work with, honest and we do not charge the earth.
Here at Barrington Freight, we are delighted to be professionals in quick freight forwarding services to Europe and across the globe. We have express vehicles that make it possible to deliver your cargo in just 24 hours via our road freight services to Europe. You can rely on our courier service for fast freight delivery. For shipments that require speedy freight, such as next day delivery, we deploy a two-person team to help minimise the possibility of any disruptions or delays.
Top Tips
2023-11-14
The guys at Barrington are brilliant! I've used them for my shipments for around 12 years now and they never let you down. Always happy to help with anything!
David Darrock
2023-11-10
Barrington Freight are extremely helpful and professional, promptly answering any questions or queries. Communication from them has been great and they have taken the difficulty out of importing freight.
Scott Glazebrook
2023-11-01
Our business is the supply of high end luxury furniture and as such we rely on Barrington Freight to provide a 5* delivery service which they have done time and time again.
Reliable, friendly and efficient sums up this great approachable freight forwarding business.
Krishan Dhillon
2023-11-01
10/10, dealt with everything start to finish. Customer service was friendly and helpful
Sharmane Barrett
2023-10-20
We had a last minute request and Lee was fantastic in helping us to arrange transportation and facilitate delivery from Europe, very quickly with no hiccups. I would highly recommend.
Simon Edgecombe
2023-10-16
HAVING USED MANY SHIPPERS TO IMPORT OUR GOODS FROM THE USA (NONE OUTSTANDING) I DECIDED THIS TIME TO HAVE A SEARCH AROUND TO SEE IF I COULD FIND A BETTER OPTION. I FOUND BARRINGTON FREIGHT AFTER EMAILING MANY OTHERS, SOME OF THEM (UPS,DHL,FEDEX) SIMPLY TOOK SO LONG TO CONTACT ME, THAT IT BECAME STUPID, SIMON AT BARRINGTON CAME BACK TO ME VIRTUALLY STRAIGHT AWAY WITH A VERY GOOD PRICE, ALSO GOOD SHIPPING TIMES. NOW A SERVICE IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE RESULTS, AND THEY WERE AS GOOD AS THEIR WORD. HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND THEM AND SIMON AT BARRINGTON FREIGHT WILL BE THE FIRST PERSON WE GO TO NEXT TIME, WELL DONE!!
Emir Danial
2023-09-26
Brilliant EXW freight forwarding services from China to the UK. Professionally done, readily available for support, and our shipments were trackable. There were last minute issues on regards to customs clearance and redirecting of goods that we take responsibility for, but with their quick action, we were able to swiftly solve it all in much less than 24hrs. Fantastic experience working with Simon and his team, will continue to engage them for the foreseeable future. Thanks again Simon and the BF team!
Tom Gilbey
2023-09-18
Barrington Freight was brilliant from start to finish. We had a very good shipping experience with them.
Dean Marsh
2023-09-09
What a superb company especially Simon Poole the agent who handled all my inquiries even worked over weekend to clear and arrange for my items to be removed from airline shed to save us storage charges Then when there were a little issue with the airline loosening items he dealt with it very quickly. We will only use him for our import Clearence’s now
Tilly H
2023-08-10
I highly recommend Barrington freight. Simon could not do enough for me and as a first time user of freight services I was anxious. Simon guided me smoothly through the whole process from start to finish. I am beyond pleased with the service I was given.
