FAQ



REQUIREMENTS TO ENABLE OWNER TO IMPORT USED HOUSEHOLD GOODS/PERSONAL EFFECTS:

Documents Required:

  • Customs Form (Import Declaration), two fully completed originals need to be presented to Customs. This form is prepared by us on behalf of the owner.
  • C-3 Form (Household goods and personal effects for primary residence) or
  • C-33 Form (Household goods and personal effects for secondary residence) or
  • C426 Form (for diplomatic entry) and/or
  • C104A/C104F/C384 (Motor vehicles) (see separate guide sheet) and/or
  • C-5 (Pets) (see separate guide sheet)
  • Valid Passport
  • Visa may be required
  • Work permit for non UK nationals
  • Detailed inventory in Egnlish, two copies, valued, dated and signed by Owner
  • Keys for any locked items

Customs Regulations:

  • Goods must arrive within twelve months after Owner's arrival or up to six months before Owner's arrival
  • Other regulations vary according to:
    1. Owner moving principal home or returning to the United Kingdom, can import used household goods and personal effects including tools of trade, can be duty free if:
      • Items have been in Owner's own use for at least six months before they are imported
      • Owner can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the UK
      • Owner declares them on C-3 customs form
      • Owner entering them from outside the EC must have lived at least twelve months abroad and cannot sell, lend or hire out or otherwise dispose of them in the UK within twelve months of importation, unless Owner obtains Customs authorization first
      • Owner who is setting up a secondary home in the UK
    2. Owners living in another EC country can import household goods and personal effects duty free to the UK,  if:
      • Owner either owns a secondary home in the UK or is renting one for at least 12 months
      • Items have been for Owner's own use at least 3 months prior to importation and will not be sold within 12 months after importation
      • Owner can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the UK
      • Owner declares them on C-33 customs form
    3. Owner living outside the EC, can import used household goods and personal effects duty free, but not VAT free, if:
      • Owner has lived for at least twelve months outside the EC
      • Owner either owns a secondary home in the UK or is renting one for at least twenty-four months
      • Owner has owned and used the items for at least six months before they are imported
      • Owner does not sell, lend, hire out or otherwise dispose of the items in the UK within 12 months of importation, unless Customs authorization is obtained first
      • Owner can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the UK
      • Owner declares them on C-33
      • Special regulations apply to students, newlyweds, visitors, inheritances, those shortly to marry, to goods originating from EC countries, personal antiques (not for resale) etc. Specific details in these cases should be obtained by the customer directly from the Embassy/Consulate in his country of residence.   

 

Dutiable / Restricted Items:

  • New items, if less than six months old (invoice required)
  • Alcohol, tobacco and perfume products are dutiable and must be declared on Customs Form C-3 or C-33. Presence of these items can result in full inspection of entire shipment. They should therefore not be shipped with the household goods consignment)
  • Plants, (Phytosanitary Certificate required)

Prohibited Items:

  • Firearms (except those for which a valid firearms certificate has been issued by the UK police authorities). All handguns other than certain .22 caliber target pistols, are now illegal in the UK and importation is strictly prohibited.
  • Ammunition, flick knives, explosives and fireworks
  • Drugs and narcotics
  • Counterfeit currency
  • Pronographic material and horror comics
  • Meat, poultry, fish and other animal products
  • Radio transmitters (CB radios, walkie talkie, cordless telephones etc) not approved for use in the UK
  • Trees, plants, shrubs, seeds, bulbs, soil, potatoes and certain other vegetables and fruits
  • Most animals and all birds, whether alive or dead (i.e. stuffed) and certain articles reived from protected endangered species including furskinds, ivory, reptile leather and goods made from endangered species.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENABLE OWNER TO IMPORT MOTOR VEHICLES, INCLUDING TRAILERS, BOATS, AIRCRAFT ETC:

  • Customer presence at customs clearance may be required
  • Importation for most private vehicles is duty free if:
    • Owner moving primary residence  to the UK (Owner living outside the EC must have been abroad for more than 12 months) and vehicle has been owned and used abroad by Owner for at least 6 months.
    • Was not purchased under duty/tax-free scheme, is for personal use and is not to be resold within one year of importation
  • Declaration to HM Customs must specify year of manufacture, make, model name, serial number, chassis number, engine number, cubic engine capacity, description of the body, price, the odometer reading, any extra or special features (e.g. automatic transmission), and any defects in the auto that would bring the price down.
  • Documentation to consist of:
    • Customs form C104A (Importing vehicle in connection with moving main residence to the UK) or
    • Customs form C104F (Importing vehicle for a 6-12 month period) or
    • Customs form C384 (Importing vehicle when duty is applicable)
    • Community Transit Document (T2) obtained from Customs office in the country of exportation
    • Registration papers/Title
    • Police Certificate of Registration
    • Insurance Policy
    • Original Purchase Invoice
    • Log Book

REQUIREMENTS TO ENABLE OWNER TO IMPORT PETS:

  • Very strict restrictions apply
  • Health Certificate and proof of inoculation required
  • Customs Form C-5 required
  • Dogs and cats: six months quarantine required in government approved facility. Quarantine kennel space is limited and must be booked prior to importation.
  • Import License which is not granted until other requirements have been met, and quarantine (six months) in licensed facility has been arranged