Hello everyone,
During one's big move abroad, shipping personal belongings to the host country can be stressful. Customs regulations differ from one country to another and you never quite know what to expect when trying to recover your belongings once you're settled. How about helping expats considering moving to England by answering some questions about custom regulations?
What are the procedures to get your belongings cleared by customs once you have arrived in England? Who do you have to contact and how do you get in touch with them? How do you go about from there?
How long does this process usually take?
How do you then carry your belongings to your new home?
Are there any items that are restricted by customs in England?
How much does it cost to get your belongings cleared by customs in England? Does the cost change depending on the amount or on certain specific items?
Do you think it is better to seek the help of a contractor to get your belongings cleared in England?
Please share your experience,
Priscilla
Clearing your belongings through customs in England
I had no issue going from Holland to the UK, did a few trips with a big van and customs saw the pile of stuff in the back and stated they could not be bothered to check.
If you hire a lorry it gets a x-ray scan and extra checks. Enjoy the free movement whilst you can.
One thing that I would mention especially those importing their items from abroad. Americans can often find their shipment held up because of a simple terminology mix-up. Stuffed animals to Americans are toys- stuffed animals to the UK customs are animals stuffed after hunting. So mark it as stuffed toys rather than stuffed animals.
In general, if you are moving to the UK and your belongings are physically with you, then there is no need for a written Customs declaration per se as you will be present to make the declaration to any Her Majestys Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officer.
HMRC have a comprehensive guide on the UK Gov website; this link will take you there.
It would be wise to have any documentation/receipts relevant for any high-value goods in your baggage; if not and the officer has an issue, he will assume the highest value and the worst-case scenario until you can prove differently.
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