Customs process - help please

[jay_benn]

Hello,
Sorry if this has been posted before, this forum is the most useful information I've found on customs and importing so hopefully you could answer my (probably basic) question.

I have brought 2 heating units for my house and a friends house from china. I have checked out the company etc and they are legitamate. As it is only 2 units and they normally deal with container loads it is being dealt with as a sample.

They are using the services of a freight forwarder to get them to the UK. Forgive me for having no knowledge about this but I'm guessing that means my heaters will go in a container with lots of other goods and arrive in the UK port?

From there I am abit lost mainly due to looking at the HMRC customs website! Once in the UK will my freight forwarder take care of getting them through customs and released to me and I then pay them the VAT etc?

Or will I have to instruct a customs clearing agent to do this? I have spent a few days trying to figure out the procedure but I'm a bit lost. Is there someone that could just give me a very brief step by step of what needs doing if it is my responsiblity to get them through customs.

And finally, having checked the HMRC website, the heaters qualify for only 5% VAT due to being environmentally friendly. Who should I make aware of this as if a freight forwarder deals with the customs will they know this and will I end up having to pay them the higher duty that they paid and have to try and claim back the difference.

Sorry if this is basic's and I am feeling a bit stupid now for not looking into this all beforehand!
Thanks in advance!

 

[primar]

Hi Jay - you should be sent copies of all the shipping docs, which will include the details of the forwarder & their UK office. You can contact them & get a price for carrying out the clearance and (usually) the delivery; however I would suggest you contact another customs clearance agent & get them to quote on the handling , clearance & delivery. You can then compare the 2 options, service levels & cost.

If you really get stuck please feel free to contact me 07536022911 or jerrydotmakcouriersatbtinternetdotcom

 

[necom-telecom]

you need send the documents to the forwarder , ask them help you declear the goods , you must offer the original docment , bill of load
we offer mobile booster solve cellular signal coverag problem in buliding

 

[Amethyst]

Hello,
Sorry if this has been posted before, this forum is the most useful information I've found on customs and importing so hopefully you could answer my (probably basic) question.

I have brought 2 heating units for my house and a friends house from china. I have checked out the company etc and they are legitamate. As it is only 2 units and they normally deal with container loads it is being dealt with as a sample.

They are using the services of a freight forwarder to get them to the UK. Forgive me for having no knowledge about this but I'm guessing that means my heaters will go in a container with lots of other goods and arrive in the UK port?

From there I am abit lost mainly due to looking at the HMRC customs website! Once in the UK will my freight forwarder take care of getting them through customs and released to me and I then pay them the VAT etc?

Or will I have to instruct a customs clearing agent to do this? I have spent a few days trying to figure out the procedure but I'm a bit lost. Is there someone that could just give me a very brief step by step of what needs doing if it is my responsiblity to get them through customs.

And finally, having checked the HMRC website, the heaters qualify for only 5% VAT due to being environmentally friendly. Who should I make aware of this as if a freight forwarder deals with the customs will they know this and will I end up having to pay them the higher duty that they paid and have to try and claim back the difference.

Sorry if this is basic's and I am feeling a bit stupid now for not looking into this all beforehand!
Thanks in advance!

Not sure what stage you are now.

First, you'd better check out:
a. packing information of the products(dimensions and weight), if they are very heavy or very big, it would be more economy to send by sea and it takes more then one month to come to you; if they are not very heavy, even not very big, I would suggest you to check courier like DHL. If the courier cost is ok, you can get them within one week, without worrying about any customs and other things as courier will handle these for you, they will tell you what you should pay and how much. it makes you life easier.
b. for customs duty or VAT cost, you can ask your supplier about HS code, then check out these cost by yourself as per that code(it is called commodity code in UK)

Second, you make a decistion on how to ship them, just if they are not shipped yet.

 

[Emilywei1981]

Hi,
my suggestion as follows:
1.You should contact a forward and send all the doc to them such as commercial invoice & packing list&B/L and delivery note. And all these doc will be offered by your supply in China.And you may let the supply make the B/L as telexrelease.

2.You should figure out the term of trade, is that FOB CHINA? if yes, you should pay the freight (from CHINA TO UK port)and handling charge and custom clearance fee and the duty, VAT to the forward.

3.If possible, you can contact with the HMRC in UK first.

 

[kennyservice]

you can simply ask the forwarder to suggest some custom broker who can help you as you required.
You can compare with them for better price, some custom brokers have ways to save you cost on paying duty, you can try to talk with the custom broker if they can do.