Household Goods Logistics

England/United Kingdom Customs Information – Hercules Worldwide

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Customs will only accept the C3 form in its original state with ink signatures; fax copies NOT accepted. The C3 form is required to clear all household goods and personal items.
• 2 completed and original Customs Form (Import Declaration) must be provided to customs
• C-3 form required for household goods and personal effects for primary residence
• C-33 is required for household goods and personal items for secondary residence
• C426 is required for diplomatic entry
• C104A/C104F/C384 required to import motor vehicles
• C-5 required for importation of pets
• Valid passport
• May require a visa
• Work permit
• Complete and detailed inventory of household goods and personal items; written in English, 2 copies, valued, dated and signed by customer
• Provide keys for any locked items

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• Household goods and personal effects required to arrive within 12 months after or up to 6 months before customers arrival
• Regulations vary according to the following: If customer is moving principal home or returning to the United Kingdom
• Used household goods and personal items including tools of trade may be duty-free if:
• Household goods and items have been in use and owned by customer for at least 6 months before being imported
• Can prove that tax and duty have been paid on household goods and items before arrival into the United Kingdom
• You declare them on the C-3 form
• Those entering from outside the EC must have resided for at least 12 months abroad and cannot lend, sell, hire out or dispose of these household goods and items in the United Kingdom within 12 months of being imported; unless you have obtained customs authority.
• Regulation of household goods for those living in another EC country are as follows:
• Household goods and personal items may be tax and duty free if:
• Customer owns a secondary home in the United Kingdom or is renting one for at least 12 months
• Personal effects and household goods have been used by customer for a period of at least 3 months before importing, and will not be sold within 12 months after import.
• Can prove that tax and duty have been paid before arriving into the United Kingdom
• You declare them on the C-33 form
• For customers living outside the EC, used household goods and personal items may be duty free, but not VAT free if:
• You have lived outside the EC for at least 12 months
• You own a secondary home in the United Kingdom or are renting one for at least 24 months
• You have owned and used your household goods and personal items for at least 6 months prior to shipment
• You cannot sell, lend, hire out or dispose of these household goods or items while in the United Kingdom for the 12 months following importation; unless customs authority has been obtained
• You can provide proof showing that duty and tax have been paid on household goods before their arrival in the United Kingdom
• You declare them on the C-33 form
• Certain regulations apply to newlyweds, students, visitors, inheritances, those intending to marry, for goods originating from EC countries, personal antiques, and so on. For specific details on these matters, information can be obtained from the Embassy/Consulate.

RESTRICTED ITEMS/DUTIABLE

• If household goods and personal effects are less than 6 months old, they will require an invoice
• Tobacco, alcohol and perfume products are dutiable and require declaration on customs form
• Phytosanitary certificate required for importation of plants

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Firearms; a valid firearms certificate is needed, issued by the police authorities
• All handguns, except certain .22 caliber target pistols, are now illegal in the United Kingdom. Importation of handguns is strictly prohibited.
• Explosives, fireworks, flick knives and ammunition
• Narcotics and drugs
• Counterfeit currency
• Pornographic materials and horror comics
• Poultry, meat, fish and other animal products
• Radio transmitters, such as walkie-talkie, CB radios, cordless telephones and so on; these are not approved for use in the United Kingdom
• Plants, trees, seeds, shrubs, soil, bulbs, potatoes and certain vegetables and fruits
• All birds and most animals, whether alive or dead and certain products derived from protected and endangered species, including fur skins, ivory, reptile leather and goods made from endangered species.

MOTOR VEHICLES

• PRESENCE AT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE MAY BE REQUIRED FOR THE IMPORTATION OF A VEHICLE
• Most private vehicles may import duty free if:
• You are moving your primary residence to the United Kingdom and the vehicle has been owned and used abroad by owner for at least 6 months. (Those living outside the EC must have lived abroad for a period longer than 12 months).
• Vehicle must not have been purchased under duty/tax-free scheme and must not be resold for 1 year after importation.
• Declaration of vehicle to HM customs must include: year of manufacture, make, model name, serial number, chassis number, engine number, cubic engine capacity, whether petrol or diesel, number of cylinders, whether right or left hand drive, description of body, price, odometer reading, any extra or special features to vehicle (ex. Automatic transmission) and any defects that will bring price down.
• Required documents include the following:
• Customs form C104A – for those relocating their main residence to the United Kingdom
• Customs form C104F – for those importing a vehicle for a 6-12 month period
• Customs form C384 – for those importing a vehicle with applicable duties
• Community Transit Document T2; can be obtained from Customs office in country of origin
• Title/registration papers
• Registration or Police certificate
• Insurance policy
• Original purchase invoice
• Log book

PETS

• Strict restrictions apply
• Proof of inoculation and health certificate are required
• Customs form C-5
• For dogs and cats, 6 months of quarantine are required in a government approved facility
• Because quarantine kennel space is limited, you must book it prior to importation
• Requires import license; will not be granted until requirements have been met and the 6 month quarantine in a licensed facility has been arranged.

**NOTE- all customs regulations and procedures are subject to change at any time. The above customs information is provided as a brief summary of United Kingdom customs regulations and applies only to household goods shipments, and is for your general guidance. Hercules Worldwide is not liable for any damage, delays, duties, costs, taxes or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance, omissions or errors. Always check full requirements and restrictions with the local embassy or consulate. **