Can anyone recommend a customs agent?
Discussion
One of my businesses imports equipment from Italy - we take about 5 shipments per year, each worth about £100k.
HMRC are telling me that from 1st January 2021 there will be a load more pain involved in doing this and that we should appoint a customs agent to deal with duty and VAT for us.
This is completely new to me - up until now we have just paid for the stuff and it has turned up on a truck. I don't even really understand what the customs agent will have to do for us as the suppliers organise shipping etc so I feel a bit exposed just contacting companies at random off Google and leaving myself at their mercy.
Can anyone recommend a customs agent that we could use? We're based North of Winchester, so Southampton / Portsmouth would be good if we need to meet them in person but its not a deal-breaker.
Thanks
HMRC are telling me that from 1st January 2021 there will be a load more pain involved in doing this and that we should appoint a customs agent to deal with duty and VAT for us.
This is completely new to me - up until now we have just paid for the stuff and it has turned up on a truck. I don't even really understand what the customs agent will have to do for us as the suppliers organise shipping etc so I feel a bit exposed just contacting companies at random off Google and leaving myself at their mercy.
Can anyone recommend a customs agent that we could use? We're based North of Winchester, so Southampton / Portsmouth would be good if we need to meet them in person but its not a deal-breaker.
Thanks
Just a tip mate have you not realised brexit. Is 1st January onwards.
Hence their recommendation.
Many many years ago I imported some items from Switzerland, non eu country all done legal and without a hitch.
You might be best looking at HMRC website to see actually how difficult it actually is
Hence their recommendation.
Many many years ago I imported some items from Switzerland, non eu country all done legal and without a hitch.
You might be best looking at HMRC website to see actually how difficult it actually is
Yes, well, I’ve done that and it says to use a customs agent, hence my request for a recommendation.
Do you really think I didn’t know that it is because of Brexit????
Switzerland is part of the single market so not a great example ....
Do you really think I didn’t know that it is because of Brexit????
Switzerland is part of the single market so not a great example ....
Edited by this is my username on Sunday 8th November 14:38
Edited by this is my username on Sunday 8th November 14:40
We use yes2ship, however our imports are of lower value, probably US$50k per container
https://yes2ship.com/services/customs-clearance/
They have dedicated customs clearance website here
http://www.customsclearances.com/
They’re good value for money and we’ve never had an issue. We’re importing from China, but one would assume they’re up to speed on EU countries
Good luck
https://yes2ship.com/services/customs-clearance/
They have dedicated customs clearance website here
http://www.customsclearances.com/
They’re good value for money and we’ve never had an issue. We’re importing from China, but one would assume they’re up to speed on EU countries
Good luck
Yes2ship, the issue with them is their deferment account charges, this is where they pay the VAT and Duty for you, you pay them up front.
I dread to think how much they'll want on a 100K shipment ( possibly £2k). Also their Demurrage charges were horrific
good on small items. Try someone like Brunel Shipping who are better at container stuff
I dread to think how much they'll want on a 100K shipment ( possibly £2k). Also their Demurrage charges were horrific
good on small items. Try someone like Brunel Shipping who are better at container stuff
A couple of things for the OP to consider...
Previously you've had stuff just arrive at your door. Contractually this suggests you've been buying fully delivered. If your suppliers are now saying you will have to manage your own imports post-Brexit then that's a shift in contractual terms and your liability is moving from your front yard to delivery at the port. That's pretty normal - but you might want to check your contracts since if they still hold tight for delivered to your door then your supplier is going to have to figure out how to become a UK importer (which is not going to be simple unless he's already got an established legal entity in the UK).
You might want to call the transport company already handling your shipments. A lot of them have the capability to handle customs clearance. the big ones all do.
As regards duty deferment - if you find yourself having to pay an agent up front to use his deferment account (plus a fee for doing so) then challenge this. You may as well pay HMRC direct and avoid the fee since there's no advantage to you - plus the agent takes your cash and doesn't have to disburse it until his deferment account becomes payable (monthly account, paid the ext calendar month).
Previously you've had stuff just arrive at your door. Contractually this suggests you've been buying fully delivered. If your suppliers are now saying you will have to manage your own imports post-Brexit then that's a shift in contractual terms and your liability is moving from your front yard to delivery at the port. That's pretty normal - but you might want to check your contracts since if they still hold tight for delivered to your door then your supplier is going to have to figure out how to become a UK importer (which is not going to be simple unless he's already got an established legal entity in the UK).
You might want to call the transport company already handling your shipments. A lot of them have the capability to handle customs clearance. the big ones all do.
As regards duty deferment - if you find yourself having to pay an agent up front to use his deferment account (plus a fee for doing so) then challenge this. You may as well pay HMRC direct and avoid the fee since there's no advantage to you - plus the agent takes your cash and doesn't have to disburse it until his deferment account becomes payable (monthly account, paid the ext calendar month).
Basically
your going to pay duty and vat on the items
and a customs clearance fee,and probably a bit of storage
not sure where you are but your best bet is to speak to your local freight forwarder and build up a rapport with them,
get some quotes
and speak you suppliers sounds like they sent it dap before,
but now youll need it clearing,
so will all the other boxes and bits and bobs on the same lorry,
so expect delays because other parts of the lorries goods haven't cleared
but well all get a different coloured passport so its worth it
your going to pay duty and vat on the items
and a customs clearance fee,and probably a bit of storage
not sure where you are but your best bet is to speak to your local freight forwarder and build up a rapport with them,
get some quotes
and speak you suppliers sounds like they sent it dap before,
but now youll need it clearing,
so will all the other boxes and bits and bobs on the same lorry,
so expect delays because other parts of the lorries goods haven't cleared
but well all get a different coloured passport so its worth it
Thanks all.
This has all come a bit sooner than expected as I wasn't expecting to be bringing in anything until 2Q21 so was going to allow the dust to settle after the New Year and also see what sort of deal was made. Now someone has placed an order which will probably be delivered in January so I need to sort this out asap.
Have spent the morning on the phone to some of the suggested organisations and I'm starting to build a clearer idea of what we will need to do thanks to them and the advice on the thread.
This has all come a bit sooner than expected as I wasn't expecting to be bringing in anything until 2Q21 so was going to allow the dust to settle after the New Year and also see what sort of deal was made. Now someone has placed an order which will probably be delivered in January so I need to sort this out asap.
Have spent the morning on the phone to some of the suggested organisations and I'm starting to build a clearer idea of what we will need to do thanks to them and the advice on the thread.
dirky dirk said:
Basically
your going to pay duty and vat on the items
and a customs clearance fee,and probably a bit of storage
Can you please share a link to your information?your going to pay duty and vat on the items
and a customs clearance fee,and probably a bit of storage
https://www.gov.uk/transition
I assume we will all find out on 1st Jan exactly what's going on and will have to adapt, businesses get probably 4 days to suss things out in January even though the government has had 4 years.
I am an exporter...
https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-export-from-great-br...
BGARK said:
dirky dirk said:
Basically
your going to pay duty and vat on the items
and a customs clearance fee,and probably a bit of storage
Can you please share a link to your information?your going to pay duty and vat on the items
and a customs clearance fee,and probably a bit of storage
https://www.gov.uk/transition
I assume we will all find out on 1st Jan exactly what's going on and will have to adapt, businesses get probably 4 days to suss things out in January even though the government has had 4 years.
I am an exporter...
https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-export-from-great-br...
but based on the fact that imports will attract duty and vat like most do,
the delays will be down to Doris in accounts not knowing her VAT/EORI number or tariff number, and theoretically one of the dozen or so other shipment on the lorry doesn't get cleared or gets a query, the lorry will get delayed,
Changing the subject massively, the airfreight capacity thats going to be needed for vaccines to be shipped round the world is going to be utterly immense, and very costly,
so id be amazed if your airfreight costs dont go back up to where they were in April and May
theres simply not the capacity that there once was.
As a company im very proud to say our place has handled it very well,
theyll be alot of forwarders simply farming out your questions and your customs entries in January because they simply dont know
,
so id be amazed if your airfreight costs dont go back up to where they were in April and May
theres simply not the capacity that there once was.
As a company im very proud to say our place has handled it very well,
theyll be alot of forwarders simply farming out your questions and your customs entries in January because they simply dont know
,
dirky dirk said:
im an export airfreight bod,
but based on the fact that imports will attract duty and vat like most do,
the delays will be down to Doris in accounts not knowing her VAT/EORI number or tariff number, and theoretically one of the dozen or so other shipment on the lorry doesn't get cleared or gets a query, the lorry will get delayed,
As an expert, can you please show me one example of an import duty into the EU, I cannot find anything online of a % rate for any commodity code?but based on the fact that imports will attract duty and vat like most do,
the delays will be down to Doris in accounts not knowing her VAT/EORI number or tariff number, and theoretically one of the dozen or so other shipment on the lorry doesn't get cleared or gets a query, the lorry will get delayed,
Also on the basis that less than 2% of all imports are checked on container ships, why do you think this would change for EU imports into the UK, clearance is done long before goods arrive, this would also be the same with lorry's to avoid delays.
BGARK said:
dirky dirk said:
im an export airfreight bod,
but based on the fact that imports will attract duty and vat like most do,
the delays will be down to Doris in accounts not knowing her VAT/EORI number or tariff number, and theoretically one of the dozen or so other shipment on the lorry doesn't get cleared or gets a query, the lorry will get delayed,
As an expert, can you please show me one example of an import duty into the EU, I cannot find anything online of a % rate for any commodity code?but based on the fact that imports will attract duty and vat like most do,
the delays will be down to Doris in accounts not knowing her VAT/EORI number or tariff number, and theoretically one of the dozen or so other shipment on the lorry doesn't get cleared or gets a query, the lorry will get delayed,
Also on the basis that less than 2% of all imports are checked on container ships, why do you think this would change for EU imports into the UK, clearance is done long before goods arrive, this would also be the same with lorry's to avoid delays.
its the additional work of the entries, that will make drivers run out of hours etc etc
the checks take various forms,
port health for meat and fish need checking by DEFRA,
rt1 is documentary check, rt2 is a full on physical check,
if you think of all the imports that don't need a clearance doing now that will do in January its got the capability of being a disaster for us sadly
And then don't forget CHIEF is supposedly being replaced,
We don't pay duty and Vat on EU imports, but that could well change from the first of jan, and containers take weeks to get here,so you have a bit of time to prepare your entries.
A lorry leaving Germany this morning will be here tomorrow, that's not enough time to sort out delays,
and don't forget a lot of our inbound airfreight lands in Amsterdam or Brussels, Frankfurt and Paris, and gets trucked upto LHR f or even Glasgow for the final leg,
But don't forget the airfreight shipments that's flown from Beijing and the final destination is Dublin,
and its got pass via the uk, and out again under a bond to Dublin airport
let me paint a scenario for you..
lorry arrives at Dover on time
It could theoretically be carrying items made of wood that'll need phytosanitary docs checking,
then the next pallet could be aircraft parts,
which need a special entry, which makes them duty free, or could be military use,
then the next pallet could something being returned for repair so it needs an IPR entry,
the next pallet could be band instruments that need a carnet stamping, otherwise the s
t hits the fan and the bond gos.Its a very very complex scenario
this is the kind of thing that needed sticking on the side of a bus at the time im afraid
this is my username said:
Yes, well, I’ve done that and it says to use a customs agent, hence my request for a recommendation.
Do you really think I didn’t know that it is because of Brexit????
Switzerland is part of the single market so not a great example ....
Please don't try to belittle me you never mentioned brexit, you seemed to be unaware of itDo you really think I didn’t know that it is because of Brexit????
Switzerland is part of the single market so not a great example ....
Edited by this is my username on Sunday 8th November 14:38
Edited by this is my username on Sunday 8th November 14:40
You seem he'll bent on following government advice, advice all it is
Thanks also for not accepting my Switzerland example
You must be one very powerfully built director, bringing in goods to such a value and not being able to cope with change
FFS. Get you voted conservative and credit
dirky dirk said:
No need for the passive aggressive, if you want a willy waving session my deferment is 5 mill a month. and it blows
its the additional work of the entries, that will make drivers run out of hours etc etc
the checks take various forms,
port health for meat and fish need checking by DEFRA,
rt1 is documentary check, rt2 is a full on physical check,
if you think of all the imports that don't need a clearance doing now that will do in January its got the capability of being a disaster for us sadly
And then don't forget CHIEF is supposedly being replaced,
We don't pay duty and Vat on EU imports, but that could well change from the first of jan, and containers take weeks to get here,so you have a bit of time to prepare your entries.
A lorry leaving Germany this morning will be here tomorrow, that's not enough time to sort out delays,
and don't forget a lot of our inbound airfreight lands in Amsterdam or Brussels, Frankfurt and Paris, and gets trucked upto LHR f or even Glasgow for the final leg,
But don't forget the airfreight shipments that's flown from Beijing and the final destination is Dublin,
and its got pass via the uk, and out again under a bond to Dublin airport
let me paint a scenario for you..
lorry arrives at Dover on time
It could theoretically be carrying items made of wood that'll need phytosanitary docs checking,
then the next pallet could be aircraft parts,
which need a special entry, which makes them duty free, or could be military use,
then the next pallet could something being returned for repair so it needs an IPR entry,
the next pallet could be band instruments that need a carnet stamping, otherwise the st hits the fan and the bond gos.
Its a very very complex scenario
this is the kind of thing that needed sticking on the side of a bus at the time im afraid
No aggression my end, I genuinely thought you might know what you were talking about. However, you have just given a list of assumptions and what-ifs.its the additional work of the entries, that will make drivers run out of hours etc etc
the checks take various forms,
port health for meat and fish need checking by DEFRA,
rt1 is documentary check, rt2 is a full on physical check,
if you think of all the imports that don't need a clearance doing now that will do in January its got the capability of being a disaster for us sadly
And then don't forget CHIEF is supposedly being replaced,
We don't pay duty and Vat on EU imports, but that could well change from the first of jan, and containers take weeks to get here,so you have a bit of time to prepare your entries.
A lorry leaving Germany this morning will be here tomorrow, that's not enough time to sort out delays,
and don't forget a lot of our inbound airfreight lands in Amsterdam or Brussels, Frankfurt and Paris, and gets trucked upto LHR f or even Glasgow for the final leg,
But don't forget the airfreight shipments that's flown from Beijing and the final destination is Dublin,
and its got pass via the uk, and out again under a bond to Dublin airport
let me paint a scenario for you..
lorry arrives at Dover on time
It could theoretically be carrying items made of wood that'll need phytosanitary docs checking,
then the next pallet could be aircraft parts,
which need a special entry, which makes them duty free, or could be military use,
then the next pallet could something being returned for repair so it needs an IPR entry,
the next pallet could be band instruments that need a carnet stamping, otherwise the s
t hits the fan and the bond gos.Its a very very complex scenario
this is the kind of thing that needed sticking on the side of a bus at the time im afraid
BGARK said:
dirky dirk said:
No need for the passive aggressive, if you want a willy waving session my deferment is 5 mill a month. and it blows
its the additional work of the entries, that will make drivers run out of hours etc etc
the checks take various forms,
port health for meat and fish need checking by DEFRA,
rt1 is documentary check, rt2 is a full on physical check,
if you think of all the imports that don't need a clearance doing now that will do in January its got the capability of being a disaster for us sadly
And then don't forget CHIEF is supposedly being replaced,
We don't pay duty and Vat on EU imports, but that could well change from the first of jan, and containers take weeks to get here,so you have a bit of time to prepare your entries.
A lorry leaving Germany this morning will be here tomorrow, that's not enough time to sort out delays,
and don't forget a lot of our inbound airfreight lands in Amsterdam or Brussels, Frankfurt and Paris, and gets trucked upto LHR f or even Glasgow for the final leg,
But don't forget the airfreight shipments that's flown from Beijing and the final destination is Dublin,
and its got pass via the uk, and out again under a bond to Dublin airport
let me paint a scenario for you..
lorry arrives at Dover on time
It could theoretically be carrying items made of wood that'll need phytosanitary docs checking,
then the next pallet could be aircraft parts,
which need a special entry, which makes them duty free, or could be military use,
then the next pallet could something being returned for repair so it needs an IPR entry,
the next pallet could be band instruments that need a carnet stamping, otherwise the st hits the fan and the bond gos.
Its a very very complex scenario
this is the kind of thing that needed sticking on the side of a bus at the time im afraid
No aggression my end, I genuinely thought you might know what you were talking about. However, you have just given a list of assumptions and what-ifs.its the additional work of the entries, that will make drivers run out of hours etc etc
the checks take various forms,
port health for meat and fish need checking by DEFRA,
rt1 is documentary check, rt2 is a full on physical check,
if you think of all the imports that don't need a clearance doing now that will do in January its got the capability of being a disaster for us sadly
And then don't forget CHIEF is supposedly being replaced,
We don't pay duty and Vat on EU imports, but that could well change from the first of jan, and containers take weeks to get here,so you have a bit of time to prepare your entries.
A lorry leaving Germany this morning will be here tomorrow, that's not enough time to sort out delays,
and don't forget a lot of our inbound airfreight lands in Amsterdam or Brussels, Frankfurt and Paris, and gets trucked upto LHR f or even Glasgow for the final leg,
But don't forget the airfreight shipments that's flown from Beijing and the final destination is Dublin,
and its got pass via the uk, and out again under a bond to Dublin airport
let me paint a scenario for you..
lorry arrives at Dover on time
It could theoretically be carrying items made of wood that'll need phytosanitary docs checking,
then the next pallet could be aircraft parts,
which need a special entry, which makes them duty free, or could be military use,
then the next pallet could something being returned for repair so it needs an IPR entry,
the next pallet could be band instruments that need a carnet stamping, otherwise the s
t hits the fan and the bond gos.Its a very very complex scenario
this is the kind of thing that needed sticking on the side of a bus at the time im afraid
Try it
Are the kids off?
The only assumption I’ve made is the all those types of cargo that will need clearing on one particular day. On the same vehicle.
All those types regularly come in and with me.
Another scenario cropped up last week where the customer had temporarily exported and the goods were on the continent.
He wanted to bring them back now.
only to export them with an export entry (not needed till 31st dec)
So that he could bring his own goods back later in the year and not pay duty on the import.
(The export entry that would get done becomes proof of export)
We import and export absolutely anything and everything anywhere
From living rocks and tropical fish from the Far East, to frozen chicken. All the way to exporting food to the Far East and carpet tiles to the USA
All kinds of stuff comes and gos everywhere.
And a bit of paperwork not stamped or a check not done and the Lorry gets delayed.
There’s no two ways about it.
It’s a fact, the lorry parks are being built for a reason
The only assumption I’ve made is the all those types of cargo that will need clearing on one particular day. On the same vehicle.
All those types regularly come in and with me.
Another scenario cropped up last week where the customer had temporarily exported and the goods were on the continent.
He wanted to bring them back now.
only to export them with an export entry (not needed till 31st dec)
So that he could bring his own goods back later in the year and not pay duty on the import.
(The export entry that would get done becomes proof of export)
We import and export absolutely anything and everything anywhere
From living rocks and tropical fish from the Far East, to frozen chicken. All the way to exporting food to the Far East and carpet tiles to the USA
All kinds of stuff comes and gos everywhere.
And a bit of paperwork not stamped or a check not done and the Lorry gets delayed.
There’s no two ways about it.
It’s a fact, the lorry parks are being built for a reason
Edited by dirky dirk on Monday 9th November 19:33
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff