If you are considering starting a business exporting goods from outside the UK, in particularly non-EU countries, there are a few rules and declarations to follow when doing so. Following procedures and laws is extremely important to ensure that you can enjoy your business without any complications or worries.<\/p>\n
To import goods into the UK from outside the European Union you will need:<\/p>\n
Commodity Codes<\/strong><\/p>\n You will need a commodity code for all imports from non-EU countries. The code can be obtained from gov.uk and\u00a0classifies your goods for import so that you pay the right tax and duty and follow regulations.<\/p>\n Import Licences<\/strong><\/p>\n If your business is considering exporting or importing\u00a0goods, you will need to check if you need a licence.\u00a0There are controls\u00a0on exports of\u00a0military or paramilitary goods, technology, artworks, plants and animals, medicines and chemicals.\u00a0There are also controls on imports including firearms, plants and animals, foods, medicines, textiles and chemicals. Whether you need a licence can also depend on where the goods are coming from.\u00a0Exporting or importing controlled goods without the right licence is a criminal offence, so it\u2019s important to check first.<\/p>\n Import Declarations to Customs<\/strong><\/p>\n You must declare all imports from outside the European Union to HMRC using the\u00a0Single Administration Document which then gets submitted through CHIEF system.\u00a0You\u2019ll need to classify your goods according to the\u00a0UK Trade Tariff which also lists the duty charges, tax, custom rules and paperwork for imports from non-EU countries.\u00a0You can also use a\u00a0freight forwarding agent\u00a0to make the declaration for you.<\/p>\n Paying Duty and VAT on Imports<\/strong><\/p>\n You normally have to pay duty on goods imported from non-EU countries when they\u2019re first brought into the EU.\u00a0The amount of duty you pay depends on how the goods are classified under the UK Trade Tariff and how they\u2019ll be used.\u00a0You may be able to apply for\u00a0reduced or zero rate duty\u00a0for goods from certain countries as long as you can prove their origin.\u00a0Your goods will not be released by customs until you\u2019ve paid all duty and UK VAT.<\/p>\n