Export Advice to the UK

[minnelea]

I recently launched an artisanal brand that specializes in handcrafted jams, jellies, preserves, and pickled vegetables. Our products are made using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring the highest quality and taste.

As we are considering expanding our market to the UK, I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights on the regulations and requirements for exporting food products to the UK. Specifically, I am looking for guidance on:

1. The necessary certifications and standards my products need to meet for UK import.
2. Any recommended labelling requirements that I should be aware of.
3. Steps to register as an exporter to the UK and any related tax implications.
4. Information on customs duties and inspections that may apply to my product category.

Additionally, I would be thankful if anyone could point me towards resources or a guide on how to sell abroad, which would help us in navigating the international business landscape more effectively.

I am keen on contributing to and learning from this community, and I look forward to engaging with fellow members who have experience in this area.

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

 

[Socio South West]

Much will depend on the trading situation with whichever country you are shipping from - Anything EU and produced to EU standards will be fairly straightforward.

Other parts of the world may differ.

Do your products have any certifications - organic, vegan etc?

 

[WaveJumper]

Imports and exports

When importing food, you need to know about regulations that apply to specific products and more general rules concerning labelling and additives. Access to data and intelligence on imported food is also available on the Imports Intelligence Hub.

www.food.gov.uk

 

[kantanLiving]

You should probably check if your import products fall under APHA category. If its products that dont contain any animal ingredients and more ingredients additives and preservatives, then contact FSA (Food Standard Agency). Both departments were very helpful when i had to enquire with them regarding an export issue i had with a soft drink. You should probably contact a few freight brokers who deal with food imports who could probably assist you better.

Google apha gov uk and FSA

I also recommend this link, which i am currently taking the webinars learning about exporting from UK to overseas. As i plan to setup an import export company in US.

Department for business and trade.
great.gov.uk/

 

[Customs Geek]

Steps to register as an exporter to the UK and any related tax implications.

We are unable to help on this . You will need to check with your country’s customs administration On what requirements there are to register as an exporter and make export declarations

UK import registration and import declaration requirements are usually the responsibility of the UK based importer.

As previously mentioned a customs broker who specialises in food imports will be useful to you.

Information on customs duties and inspections that may apply to my product category.

You can check the UK tariff schedule. You will first need to decide on the hs or commodity codes of your goods . Once you have the codes you will be able to see what taxes are applicable. The tariff schedule also gives lots of other information on required specific documentation for your products.
Search UK Trade Tariff

Inspections are not usually by customs but bodies such as port health and Defra . Whether good’s will be examined will depend on where they are from , how high risk they are deemed etc.

Additionally, I would be thankful if anyone could point me towards resources or a guide on how to sell abroad, which would help us in navigating the international business landscape more effectively.

Again this is probably something you can find in your own country .