Customs Requirements
Importing and exporting goods can be complicated. We make sure that all the correct procedures are followed and the right forms are completed.
Import
Any charges due must be paid on goods in all the following circumstances if set limits are exceeded:
- Goods were purchased or received as a gift
- Goods are new or used – it makes no difference
- Whether goods are for private use or for commercial sale
Any charges due in Customs Duty are raised by Customs staff at the postal depots where the packages are received.
Any import charges due will depend on the type of goods imported and their value. This information is stated on the Customs declaration form CN22 or CN23. Duty is not chargeable if the total value of goods in the consignment does not exceed £15. Goods over £15 are liable for VAT.
Please contact us for more details. For more information on importing goods and import charges, visit the official UK Government Website.
Export
When you forward items to us you'll be asked for the relevant information so that the required documents are produced, ensuring that your items are correctly exported.
Any import duty charged at the point of import will be liable for payment by the receiver and handled by the relevant Customs office and their procedures.
For more information on exporting of goods to a non-EU country, visit the Official UK Government Website
Shipping of Restricted Items
For safety reasons and to comply with national and international regulations, there are both restricted and prohibited items that are excluded from the postal and courier network.
If you are shipping goods, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are not posting or shipping any restricted or prohibited items. It is essential to make sure that you know what is and what isn’t allowed to be shipped, otherwise you could find that you are prosecuted for shipping prohibited goods.
To have peace of mind, before shipping any goods, here is a general list of currently prohibited and restricted goods. Please note this list is a general guideline and full information please refer to the latest updates, posted by IATA, Postal operator and Courier companies.
Prohibited Items
- Bullion
- Cash (bank notes, currency notes and coins)
- Complete firearms, ammunition, explosives/explosive devices
- Human remains or ashes
- Illegal goods and ivory: this can include items that are country-specific (e.g. the importation of alcohol and pornography) and commodities considered to be illegal internationally, such as counterfeit goods, ivory and certain narcotics (e.g. heroin, cocaine)
- This can include items that are country-specific (e.g. the importation of alcohol and pornography) and commodities considered to be illegal internationally, such as counterfeit goods, ivory and certain narcotics (e.g. heroin, cocaine)
- Live animals (including but not limited to mammals, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, insects, larvae and pupae)
- Loose lithium metal batteries under IATA PI968 section II - Learn more about posting lithium batteries
- Loose precious and semi-precious stones (cut or un-cut, polished or unpolished)
Restricted Items
- Air guns, imitation or replica firearms, firearm parts and replica ammunition (includes rifle butts, trigger mechanisms, screws/bolts etc which are manufactured for the sole purpose of creating a functional firearm).
- Antiques and works of art with a shipment value in excess of EUR 500,000.
- Banderols/Tax stickers with a shipment value in excess of EUR 500,000.
- Cigarettes and electronic cigarettes with a shipment value in excess of EUR 500,000.
- Dangerous / hazardous goods including but not limited to perfumes, aftershaves, aerosols, flammable substances, dry ice, biological substances, UN classified dangerous goods and any goods specified as such under International Air Transport Association regulations (“IATA”), the Agreement on Dangerous Goods by Road ("ADR") or International Maritime Dangerous Goods ("IMDG") regulations. Applicable to all shipments valued in excess of EUR 500,000.
- Financial and monetary commodities – examples include but are not limited to activated SIM cards for mobile phones, blank or activated credit or cash dispenser cards, blank cheques, event tickets, lottery tickets, money or postal orders, pre-paid phone cards, tickets (blank stock), travellers' cheques, vouchers/tokens, unused stamps etc. Applicable to all shipments valued in excess of EUR 500,000.
- Furs
- Jewellery and watches with individual values in excess of EUR 5,000. The shipment must not exceed EUR 100,000.
