importing from Thailand...customs help

[ukjames]

Hello everyone, I hope someone can help me! I've been trying to read up on customs but i'm starting to get very confused with tariff codes, commodity codes, CHIEF.....

I have a a supplier of shampoo and dietary supplements from Thailand (through my girlfriend who is also Thai) but they have never sent to the UK before (and I have never imported anything before either!) and am unsure on how to go about declaring the products/customs clearance...

I can tell you that we will be buying in small quantities (about £150 for a box, will probably buy 2 boxes max) and they will be posting by EMS International courier who then pass it on to Parcelforce Worldwide to be delivered to my door.

So my question is: what do I need to tell the supplier to declare on the box, and will Parcel Force work out what my import duty/VAT will for me?

Hope this makes sense, and thank you to anyone that can help me understand!

ukJames

 

[Import Expert]

Hi ukjames,

Parcelforce should simply bill you for the Duty/VAT - probably along with an admin fee. Just make sure the supplier states the true value on the paperwork. If they need commodity codes (otherwise known as HS Codes), you can search for them here: https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff/sections

Shampoo for example is 3305100000 (Duty Free).

You may need to apply for an EORI number (Issued by HMRC it gives you authority to import), although as a courier shipment you might not really need this. Parcelforce will ask for it if need be - takes HMRC around 3-4 days to process/issue.

Kind regards,
Darren.

 

[ukjames]

Hi Darren,

Thanks for your answer, it was very helpful.

I managed to find the shampoo code quite easily but i'll probably have to phone the TCS to get the codes for the dietary supplements.

When you say to make sure that the supplier states the true value on the paperwork by "paperwork" do you just mean the customs label supplied by EMS? Or do they need to get something more specific for Parcelforce?

Also, would the "value" need to be in Thai Baht or Sterling?

Kind Regards,
James

 

[Import Expert]

Hi James,

Normally the courier (EMS) will need a form/label filled in with value, product, etc. so just on this will be fine.

Currency would normally be in whichever you paid.

Kind regards,
Darren.

 

[GraemeL]

Hello James,

You can rely on Darrens advice.

The point that made me hesitate to make a comment was that you intend to import food supplements. The testing and labelling of these could be a major issue, for which you - as importer - are liable.

http://www.pagb.co.uk/regulatory/supplements.html

Take great care.

G

 

[ukjames]

Thanks very much for the useful information guys.

I'll probably pass on the food supplements for now.

Another product that this supplier sells is a face cleanser. I think commodity code 3304990000. However it looks like i might need a CITES certificate. Am I reading this correctly?

Is this difficult to get hold of?

Thanks for your time,

Kind regards,

ukJames

 

[GraemeL]

CITES? Don't even try

G