Taking a trailer to the EU for service, then returning

[Stuart_91]

I've got a specialised trailer that I use in my business. It is needing some fairly substantial service/refurbishment work done, so I'm looking at driving it back to the factory in France, then returning a few days later.

Prior to Brexit this would have been straightforward, but I'm aware that these days customs declarations etc. are required. Do I essentially need to export the trailer, only to import it again a few days later?

From what I can see a temporary carnet might be possible but seems to cover items being used abroad, e.g. musicians taking instruments over, rather than goods going for service.

Just wondering if anyone has experience of this kind of manoeuvre and who the best people to contact might be for any paperwork needing done.

 

[DontAsk]

Do you need to do anything at all? What if it were a caravan? No need for a carnet then. Is it not, in effect, part of the towing vehicle?

 

[Stuart_91]

Honestly, I'm not sure. Unfortunately it's a large, unusual trailer that doesn't look anything like a caravan or box trailer that a holidaymaker might use. I'm a bit wary of trying to bluff my way through.

The trailer was bought when we were still part of the EU and would be coming straight back so there's not really any import or export going on, nobody would be getting diddled out of any duty. But I'm just worried about getting stopped by customs and having the journey disrupted.

 

[WaveJumper]

I would have thought as long as you got all the original paper work cant see it being an issue myself

 

[WaveJumper]

Sorry got distracted by events here - I also meant to add never had issues with boat trailers ie going out leaving them down in Spain then coming back months later. However I would mention just make sure you have all the correct warning "triangles" or whatever stuck on the back as they seem to be more interested in those than anything else

 

[Stuart_91]

Thanks. The trailer was manufactured on the continent so is hopefully compliant with all the marking rules etc. but I'll double-check.

I'll maybe just arm myself with all the purchase paperwork and correspondence from the factory about the upcoming service work.

 

[Gecko001]

Just out of interest, if I had a Citroën car I bought in France before Brexit and was taking it over to France to sell it, would I have to pay French Customs duty on it?

 

[Gecko001]

Just out of interest, if I had a Citroën car I bought in France before Brexit and was taking it over to France to sell it, would I have to pay French Customs duty on it?

I posed a similar question to Google Ai a few minutes ago, and apparently yes I would have to pay French VAT plus 33% of the car's worth. That 33% seems a bit much, though.

So I see why the @Stuart_91 is worried about this. I know a trailer is not a car, but if customs in France think that the trailer could be sold in France they might make it difficult for him.

 

[Stuart_91]

I suspect that if it were a caravan or box trailer then customs would regard it as being a vehicle - the same as the 4x4 that'll be towing it. But because it's a (very obvious) specialised bit of kit, I expect it'll be treated as a saleable product.

 

[Deleted member 351022]

I posed a similar question to Google Ai a few minutes ago, and apparently yes I would have to pay French VAT plus 33% of the car's worth. That 33% seems a bit much, though.

So I see why the @Stuart_91 is worried about this. I know a trailer is not a car, but if customs in France think that the trailer could be sold in France they might make it difficult for him.

I wouldn’t believe google AI . According to the French customs tariff duty on a car is 10% and import VAT is 20 % ( of the duty inclusive value).

Caravan and trailers are typically 2.7 % but there are various rates that might apply depending on exactly what sort of trailer some don’t have any duty at all.

It is the fact that something is going to remain permanently in France that would trigger a duty and VAT charge. Whether it’s sold or intended to be sold or not is irrelevant.

There are then exemptions for someone moving home to France and taking their own possessions as well as temporary imports such as driving on holiday or goods being repaired.
It doesn’t mean these are exempt making a declaration though. A declaration isn’t always a formal declaration; driving ( or walking) through the green channel is a declaration as is stopping and speaking to a customs officer.

 

[Stuart_91]

I've already imported one of these trailers - it was a post-Brexit purchase (2023) The manufacturer had to produce export paperwork, and we got an agent to do the import paperwork for us. It didn't run completely smoothly - I was held up at the port for 2hrs because the agent hadn't lodged something correctly.

There was no duty payable, I can't remember the category (commodity code?) that we used but was probably something like "Trailers - Other"

I suppose I could jump through these hoops again for the outward and return journeys but it really doesn't appeal, especially since it cost approx £300 for just the import last time.

The trailer is definitely not going to remain on the continent so a temporary import seems sensible, but how do I go about that? I'd be happy enough to make some sort of declaration but I'd be worried that some detail will be missed and I'll hit problems on the way back...

 

[Newchodge]

I've already imported one of these trailers - it was a post-Brexit purchase (2023) The manufacturer had to produce export paperwork, and we got an agent to do the import paperwork for us. It didn't run completely smoothly - I was held up at the port for 2hrs because the agent hadn't lodged something correctly.

There was no duty payable, I can't remember the category (commodity code?) that we used but was probably something like "Trailers - Other"

I suppose I could jump through these hoops again for the outward and return journeys but it really doesn't appeal, especially since it cost approx £300 for just the import last time.

The trailer is definitely not going to remain on the continent so a temporary import seems sensible, but how do I go about that? I'd be happy enough to make some sort of declaration but I'd be worried that some detail will be missed and I'll hit problems on the way back...

Would this be a situation where a carnet would be appropriate?

 

[Deleted member 351022]

If you want to do everything completely above board there’s two lots of customs authorities you need to negotiate the UK and France . So out and back that’s 4 declarations. Commercial goods are treated entirely separately to personal possessions of an individual.
Once goods leave the UK they lose their uk duty paid status so if you intend to bring something back you need to prove they exited the uk in the first place .

Out of the UK and back in can be relatively simple if no repairs or processing is carried out.
www.gov.uk/taking-goods-out-gb-temporarily/declare-your-goods

If you are going out for repairs the correct way is to use outward processing relief.
www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-pay-less-duty-on-goods-you-export-to-process-or-repair
This may need a proper customs declaration

I suggest you ask the party that is going to do the repairs what’s the best way of handling the French side.
The EU has very similar regs to the UK but the practical application can be very different in each country.

 

[Deleted member 351022]

Would this be a situation where a carnet would be appropriate?

A carnet can’t be used if the goods are for repair . They are also quite expensive.