Cost-effective deliveries from the EU and across the Globe
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), artificial breathing devices, and other medical supplies in the United Kingdom has increased exponentially.
Get a free quote today
Learn more
Importing Medical Goods
Companies importing medical goods from the EU to the UK must follow the proper procedures. Here’s what you will need to bring in medication from a country such as Germany or the Netherlands.
Read our FAQ'sLearn more about us
Registration
All import processes require an EORI number. If you have been using an EORI number from another EU country, you will need to obtain one expressly for the UK. If you want to import into England, Wales, or Scotland, you must obtain an EORI number beginning with GB. You can import to Northern Ireland using your EU EORI number or get a new one beginning with XI.
The next step is getting a VAT certificate. Businesses that do not have VAT certificates incur higher import duties and taxes; therefore it is a good idea to get this done before you begin importing.
REQUIREMENTS
Medical Goods Shipping Import Requirements
Product Safety and CE Markings
Product Safety and CE Markings
Imports such as PPEs and medical devices have to have the CE marking, except for pharmaceuticals. This marking indicates that:
- The manufacturer has checked that the product meets EU health, safety and environmental requirements.
- The product complies with EU legislation.
- The product can move freely within the European single market.
Before shipping medical goods from an EU country, ensure that the manufacturer or an authorised representative within the EEA has carried out a conformity assessment, drawn up the technical file, issued the EC declaration of conformity(DoC) and placed a CE mark on the product. The CE marking should be:
- In the standard recognisable form.
- Proportional to the standard version, in the case of enlarged or reduced product marking.
- At least 5mm.
- Placed onto the product, its data plate or accompanying document.
Classification Codes, Duty and VAT
Classification Codes, Duty and VAT
Medical products are considered “difficult to classify” and fall under several tariff chapters.
Medicaments such as tablets and capsules packed in measured doses or for retail use fall under heading 3004. If the medication contains active ingredients but is not quantified, it goes under heading 3003. For example:
- 3004200000 for importing antibiotics packed in measured doses vs 3003200000 for antibiotics in bulk.
- 3004310000 to import insulin medication packed for retail use vs 3003310000 insulin medication in bulk.
Heading 3002 covers immunological products like antibodies and vaccines, for instance ;
- 3002201000 for importing vaccines against SARS-related coronaviruses.
- 3002150010 for importing diagnostic reagents for SARS-CoV virus species packed for retail use.
Find the commodity codes for medical equipment and implantable medical devices in chapter 90 e.g:
- 9019201000 for importing (invasive) artificial respiration apparatus.
- 9021500000 for importing pacemakers.
Medical consumables and supplies go under heading 3005. For example:
- To import adhesive plaster, you will use the code 3005100000.
- For medical oxygen, code 2804400000.
Heading 3005 excludes certain products which instead fall under heading 3006 such as:
- sterile suture materials like catgut – code 3006101000.
- dental cement and filling – code 3006400000 and
- first aid kits – code 3006500000.
To import PPEs such as face masks, and sanitising products, use the codes:
- 6307909311 for FFP2 and FFP3 face masks.
- 2847000000 for hydrogen peroxide in bulk.
Medical products coming from the EU are eligible for a tariff preference (i.e. zero VAT and import duty). Still, you must submit proof of origin to get this preferential rate.
Get someone to deal with customs
Get someone to deal with customs
For pharmaceutical deliveries headed to England, Wales, or Scotland, you must declare them to UK customs. However, HMRC will not ask for a declaration for goods travelling to Northern Ireland. Submitting an import declaration by yourself can be costly and time-consuming; therefore, it is a good idea to let a specialist freight forwarder or courier act as your customs agent.
- If shipping medical equipment by sea, then your sea freight company will submit a declaration,
- For a pharmaceutical delivery travelling by road, the logistics company can deal with customs and
- For pharmaceutical transport by air, the air freight operator can submit a declaration for you.
We are friendly, easy to work with, honest and we do not charge the earth.
Barrington Freight is committed to providing a professional and dependable service every time. When you need a quick courier to ship medical goods from Europe to the UK, you can rely on our 24-hour freight service. We have the experience to perform fast and efficient next day delivery freight shipments across Europe, from business deliveries on behalf of merchants, manufacturers, and importers to freight sent by individuals. Get a quote from us today!
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.
