Importing Personal Effects
Shipments of household goods and personal effects are allowed duty free entry into the UK, provided that they have been owned and used for at least six months prior to importation. It is possible to have your goods cleared by customs before you arrive in the UK, providing they do not arrive more than six months before your own arrival and that all necessary documents are completed correctly and received by Britannia in advance of the shipment.
Documentation
Assistance can be given to help you to with the customs formalities. We shall provide you with the correct customs form to complete and return before the arrival of the shipment in the UK. It is essential that all documentation is completed and returned promptly to Britannia or our agent before the shipment arrives.
Prohibitions and Restrictions
In general it is in your interest not to import the following items:
- Firearms & ammunition
- Inflammable goods & substances
- Plants & plant material
- Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise
- Alcohol, narcotics and dangerous goods
- Offensive material
Transit Times
Sole use containers are usually the fastest way of sending your shipment by sea. Groupage or shared load containers have a longer overall transit time than a sole use container. There is a regular service to all major UK ports and as soon as we know your removal date and method of shipment, we can provide you with advice on when the shipment should arrive at the port and be available for delivery in the UK.
Motor Vehicles
You can bring your vehicle with you without payment of customs duty and tax in the UK, providing you have paid all local taxes and owned and used the vehicle for more than six months overseas, and equally important you must be able to prove you have lived outside the UK for more than twelve months. The vehicle must arrive no more than six months after your own arrival.
If you are planning on shipping a motor vehicle to the UK, you should ensure you can provide Britannia with evidence of both ownership and use of the vehicle. This information should be kept with you and must not be packed in your shipment or sent with the vehicle.
Should you be unable to meet all of the requirements, you can still bring your vehicle, however, it will subject to payment of customs duty and tax on its arrival. Any vehicle which is less than ten years old is subject to inspection and testing in the UK, to determine and ensure it meets with current legislation. Britannia will be able to guide you and offer further assistance on this and the registration process.
You can find further information on shipping vehicles on the following websites: www.hmce.gov.uk, www.dvla.gov.uk, and www.via.gov.uk.
Computer Tracking
Through satellite and computer technology we are able to monitor the progress of your consignment.
Bar Coding
All Groupage consignments will be bar coded as they arrive at Britannia
Customs clearance
It normally takes on average 5 to 7 working days for customs clearance and delivery for a sole use container within the mainland on the UK, and generally 7 to 14 working days after arrival at the Britannia customs approved warehouse for a groupage consignment. The time taken to clear goods through customs can be affected by Government policy, X-raying of goods, physical inspection, volume of traffic and the levy of any import duties or taxes. Charges raised by Customs and port authorities will be paid for by Britannia and collected from you prior to arranging the delivery.
Britannia in the UK
Britannia has established and developed a long standing successful relationship with a global network of dedicated international movers who can assist you with your move to the UK. All of the Britannia members (there are forty five offices across the UK) are part of the extended Britannia family and meetings are held regularly to ensure standards of service are maintained.
Storage
Should you require storage prior to delivery this can be arranged. You should expect to pay locally a one off storage handling fee, plus a monthly storage charge. Please ensure that your marine insurance policy is extended for the period of the storage.
Destination Services
If you have paid for a door to door service, following customs clearance, your shipment will be delivered to your home on a mutually convenient and agreed date. Goods will be delivered into your new home and placed in the relevant rooms as directed by you. Professionally wrapped and packed goods will be unwrapped and cartons unpacked onto a flat surface. All used packing materials will be removed from site on the delivery day. Although, there will be insurance implications, you do reserve the right not to have some or all items unpacked or unwrapped should you so choose.
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you insure your goods for the duration of their journey to the UK. We are able to provide you with an insurance pack for you to complete.
On Arrival
Britannia can offer advice on a variety of issues related to living in the UK.
Moving to the United Kingdom brochure
