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A commercial invoice for the goods being imported for commercial goods.

This should show not just the full name and address of both exporter and importer, but also a detailed list of the goods imported, with their value in a recognised currency.

Also the Terms of Trade should be listed on the invoice.

A packing list detailing the nature of the goods being imported, their net and gross weight.

If your cargo is entitled to preference, then you will need to provide a copy of the certificate that proves this.

If the goods can only be imported with a licence, for example; a Rural Payment, Forestry or Port Health licence. This should have been applied for, before your goods are shipped or before they arrive in the UK.

Some foodstuffs require a Health Certificate, or for some agricultural products, a phytosanitary certificate.

Some plastics from China require an analysis report.

If in doubt, ask your supplier as they should be able to advise you.

You will need to provide A Bill of Lading or Notice of Arrival.

This document provides the:

• Vessel’s name,
• The port of loading & arrival
• The nature of the goods being imported,
• Their weight
• The shipping company details

For full loads the container number should also be provided.

This is often a 4 character alpha prefix followed by 7 numbers. Usually the 4th letter of the 4 alpha pre-fix is a ‘U’, i.e. ABCU1234567

This is how we would track your cargo to the port of arrival in the UK

Unless it is food, this is usually based on the value of the goods for a straight ‘Home Use’ type entry (where no special procedure is requested). 

Some food entries have duty (or a levy) paid according to the net weight of the goods instead.

The value of the goods, the freight and any marine insurance are added together to form a Value for Duty. 

The correct duty rate is then applied to this value. 

If the goods are also liable to import VAT then we take the afore mentioned Value for Duty figure, add the Import Duty just calculated, and then on top of that we add UK charges (Port handling & release costs, UK delivery charge, customs clearance costs billed by your agent, and also UK insurance on delivery) and these are added to form the Value for VAT. 

Then the VAT rate is applied to this figure (as of 2019 the standard Import VAT rate is 20%). 

An EORI number is mandatory if your goods is for commercial sale in the UK.

Imports that are for personal use. do not require an EORI number.