First import - applying for an EORI number

[ooob]

Hello,

I'm looking to import some products from China into the UK, sourced through Alibaba or Aliexpress.

I'd been hoping to apply for an EORI number before finalising all the details of my first shipment. But now that I look at the EORI application form, it says you need to give the exact arrival date of goods, as well as an airway bill number or bill of lading number.

My order would be small so would probably be sent by airfreight using China Post or a courier. My question really is how am I going to find the exact date of arrival in the UK and the Airway bill number? I imagine if something is sent by China Post then you don't know it's location until after it arrives there, which will be too late! Likewise, will China Post, or the better known couriers, provide an airway bill number?

I know I can call HMRC about this but I'd like to understand it a bit better first as I may just be being a bit slow.. It seems the EORI number application form is better set up for those using a freight forwarder rather than ordering from Alibaba.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[MOIC]

If it's a small shipment and being sent by courier, don't worry about the EORI.

it will be delivered without any problems.

 

[TMGG]

You can apply for one online with HMRC.

 

[Denzel Fan]

EORI number is not mandatory for courier into UK, no matter the consignee is individual or a company.

 

[ooob]

Thanks for all your replies.

I seem to have spent hours reading up on this, but finding lots of conflicting advice.

As I understand it so far, you need an EORI number if you are 'involved in customs activities'. So perhaps if you're using a courier, you are not 'involved in customs activitives', since the courier is effectively acting as a freight forwarder and dealing with all that themselves (perhaps the couriers use their own EORI numbers?).

But then FedEx says having an EORI number is mandatory (sorry I can't yet post links) Though people here are saying small shipments by courier won't be stopped if you don't have one. But does that mean the shipment is being treated as personal goods rather than business goods?

Some people say you don't need an EORI number if the value of goods is less than £600? - but I can't see where HMRC mentions this.

This would be easier if HMRC just let you apply for the number without needing details of your first shipment. Then I'd just get the number.

Even the European Commisions guidelines say "Economic operators should apply for an EORI number before they start activities covered by customs legislation, e.g. before they start their export or import operations (even if these operations are not planned in the near future)"

Essentially, you end up doing it not knowing whether you're within the rules and just hoping for the best.

 

[japancool]

Your EORI certificate will act as proof that you have paid the customs charges on a shipment, but it's not the only proof that will be accepted. Just keep the customs bill that you receive from the courier.

Once you've got your first shipment in, you can submit the form with the details of your first shipment.

 

[ooob]

Thanks japancool.

I've just called HMRC (0300 200 3700).

If I've understood it, their advice seems to be that you should really have an EORI number before your goods arrive. Goods over £600 in value will trigger a process that requires an EORI number. Items under £600 in value, and sent via couriers, will probably go through a different 'fast tracked' process. This may well mean that you don't get asked for an EORI number, but not necessarily so.

So their advice was essentially to place an order, get airway bill number and date of arrival from the courier. Immediately send in EORI application form (by email) then get the EORI number in about 3 working days, so you should have it by time goods arrive in case it's needed.

 

[japancool]

The thing is, even if you don't have an EORI number by the time the goods are delivered, if it's coming in by courier, they'll still deliver it, and you can tell them the EORI number within a couple of days.

As HMRC say, the process only takes a couple of days. Courier estimated delivery times aren't all that reliable, my DHL shipments usually arrive two days before the estimated delivery date.

 

[ooob]

I see. That's good to know.

You don't really know these things until you've done it, so have visions of getting it wrong..

Thanks for your help.

 

[Gemma Hill]

Hello there, I just wondered how you got on with your first import? I too have waded into unknown territory and like you am playing a balancing act with getting an EORI number and waiting on an order - nightmare

 

[ShippoUK]

Hi Gemma,

Is your order via sea freight or courier? if its by sea freight/ air freight i would apply for an EORI number 2 weeks in advance of landing. Your shipping company will struggle to clear your goods with out this.

Please feel free to drop me a pm to discuss your situation.

Dan

 

[Gemma Hill]

Hey Dan, Thanks for getting back to me quickly

Being new here I can't work out how to pm lol

The situ is that I've placed an order with a supplier in China this morning. I have also started the process of filling out the EORI application form. As said in convo above its a bit of a juggling act! They will be sending my order out to me by courier and have mailed informing me that part of the order will be coming from their UK warehouse (I assume HMRC won't be concerned with this due to it being delivered within this country) and the remainder coming from their China warehouse. So sounds like I'll be paying VAT on part of the order (I've ordered beads for jewellery making so won't apparently pay duty on these).

I am a little concerned about the timing of it all, it could take 15 days for the order to be ready to dispatch and then I'm guessing it may be difficult to obtain a delivery date in time to get the EORI number given delivery sometimes only takes 2-3 days.

In reading above it sounds as tho HMRC are not too strict on obtaining this number before the order arrives?

Grateful for your help and please feel free to PM if you know how

 

[ooob]

Hello there, I just wondered how you got on with your first import? I too have waded into unknown territory and like you am playing a balancing act with getting an EORI number and waiting on an order - nightmare

Hi Gemma,

Fun isn't it Like you, I ended up placing an order via courier and then applied for the EORI number despite not having all the details they ask for.

So on the EORI application form (I sent mine by email) I gave TNT as the carrier and used the address of their UK headquarters. From memory, I had to leave the date of arrival blank and the port/airport of entry into UK blank, since I didn't have this information.

I then got a follow up email from HMRC asking for the port of entry into UK or EU, and also for the courier tracking number. I submitted that info online and got an email with my EORI number about three days later. By this time I think my order had already been delivered.

HMRC do seem to try to provide these numbers when required it's just the order of doing things doesn't fit well if using a courier. They could do with a better application form.

So you should be ok and get your number in the end. Though probably a good idea to keep first order under £600 so can pass customs without EORI number.

You mentioned not paying duty on jewellery, I'm not sure that's correct. Though customs will decide what VAT and duty is due and let you know. Try to get your Chinese suppliers to give accurate valuation info and accurate everything else info.

Good luck!

 

[Gemma Hill]

Hey, thanks for the reply, sounds like you have had fun and games too! I do think you're right that a better application form or a better way of going about things would make life so much easier!

Ah well I've placed the order now so guess I'll go with the flow and just keep an eye on everything.

Re duty, I did a check on the site dutycalculator.com and the calculation came back that there wasn't any duty for the beads. Could be wrong, though I have ordered before (not knowing about EORI) and they were right with their calculations so fingers crossed

It can only get easier right?! lol

Thanks again for getting back to me

 

[ooob]

Yeah, it's generally a case of finding out by doing, so should get better.

There's an article by Andrew Minalto that has some good advice on getting started with imports from China. I can't post links yet on this forum but if you search 'andrew minalto' and 'How to import products from China', you'll find it.

 

[Gemma Hill]

That's uncanny, I found that article yesterday and read through it, very useful! Like you say, sometimes it's just cracking on with it and learning as you go!

Thanks for the advice

 

[Candyfreight]

Generally it will be required provide EORI NO when you ship by FedEx courier company only now, but the FedEx price is cheaper than other courier company, like DHL or UPS.

 

[PowerForwarding]

To be honest you may as well just get one, you only need to do it once, it's an easy form to fill in and you can use that number for all your future imports then. It's all done online now anyway so very easy.