Taking machine to Belgium for a Service and returning same day

[TimoWerner]

HI there

Sorry if this has been answered here before.

Our engineer (from Belgium) who comes to service our machine has decided that coming to the UK is causing him too much hassle due to customs clearance for his tools and spare parts etc that he brings with him from he drives to the UK. Being near to Dover I am exploring the idea of driving the machine to him for the service and driving back the same day or following day.

What is the most efficient way of doing this so I am not stuck at customs both ways.

Thanks.

 

[Customs Geek]

HI there

Sorry if this has been answered here before.

Our engineer (from Belgium) who comes to service our machine has decided that coming to the UK is causing him too much hassle due to customs clearance for his tools and spare parts etc that he brings with him from he drives to the UK. Being near to Dover I am exploring the idea of driving the machine to him for the service and driving back the same day or following day.

What is the most efficient way of doing this so I am not stuck at customs both ways.

Thanks.

in my opinion you would have very similar if not more complicated issues in reverse. You will most likely need 4 customs declarations - one each for out and back into the UK and one each into and back out of the EU.

As the goods are intentionally being exported for repair/ overhaul you can’t use the usual simplified processes for goods being returned unaltered. Nor can you use a carnet.

www.gov.uk/guidance/taking-commercial-goods-out-of-great-britain-in-your-baggage

You would need to use the special procedure outward processing to export and reimport. HMRC only allow this without prior approval 3 times in a rolling 12 months.

www.gov.uk/government/collections/pay-less-or-no-duty-on-goods-you-store-repair-process-or-temporarily-use

To avoid paying duties in Belgium you would need to use their inward processing scheme. If you have customs proof the goods were originally exported from the EU it may be possible to declare returned goods. You may find this difficult as a non EU resident. Perhaps the engineer will be willing to help you with the Belgian requirements.