Shipping Restrictions
Import Restrictions
Alcohol animals and animal products animal carving materials, such as ivory, horns and bones bees, leeches, silkworms, parasites and destroyers certain carcinogenic substances chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) Christmas crackers cordless telephones (operating on frequencies greater than 853 Mhz) chemicals cultural objects dairy, eggs and agricultural products foodstuffs, including fish, shellfish, honey, eggs and certain types of fruit and vegetables foreign prison made goods genetically modified rice and rice products guar gum from India hops oil seeds meat and meat products ozone depleting substances pharmaceutical products plant pests; bacteria, fungi, virus and cultures deemed destructive to agriculture and plants plants and plant products precious metals and jewels products subject to 'Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITIES) protein (animal processed) rabies susceptible animals rabies virus radio transmitters sealskins semen (animal only) soil (peat) spirits used agricultural machinery ukrainian sunflower oil vaccines vegetables and fruit weapons whale products wood; still having bark (unprocessed); timber. Meat, meat products, milk and milk products must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate from the country of origin and must be for commercial consumption only.
Prohibited Items
In addition to items considered non-mailable matte, the following is a listing of commodities prohibited and/or in some instances (*) restricted for entry into the United Kingdom: Aerosols ammunition asbestos animal pathogens biological substances bladed items or sharply pointed articles, such as knives, blades or axes bullion or banknotes cat and dog fur products counterfeit items, including dies and plates for manufacture clothes and rags, soiled corrosives, including paint, dyes and rust removers counterfeit or pirated goods cremated remains drugs dry ice explosives flammable items, including lighter fluid, perfumes and nail polish removers goods bearing false origin statements goods infringing a copyright goods infringing a trade mark honey* (may depend upon certification and country of origin) hops & Hops Products* (Certificate of Attestation required) hooded baby seal products horror comics investigational Drugs indecent or obscene materials Kimberely Process Diamonds les objets à lame ou à pointe acérée, tels que couteaux, lames ou haches lithium batteries (when not sent connected to a device such as a mobile phone or digital camera) live animals lottery tickets and advertising meat and milk based products in items intended for personal use medical waste mineral products narcotics plastic kitchenware originating from Hong Kong or China prison-made goods rice* (of US Origin-Certificate of Conformity required) radio transmitters which are capable of transmitting on frequencies between 26.1 and 29.7 megacycles per second and 88 to 108 Mhz per second soil soiled textiles straw toxic substances video senders; equipment capable of transmitting video images videos, sound recordings and printed matter, indecent. In addition, registered items containing valuables such as jewellery, precious metals, precious or semi-precious stones, securities, coins or any form of negotiable financial instrument are not acceptable.
Document Restrictions
The destination country or territory classifies the following items as document shipments. The items must have no commercial value. If criteria are listed, the shipment must meet the criteria to classify as a document shipment. Airline Tickets Validated airline tickets only Annual Reports Must be for shareholders or for intercompany use only. Bids Blueprints Must be for intercompany use or a bid invitation (such as architectural plans to obtain a contract inside the European Union) and have no commercial value. Brochures Must be non-commercial brochures or for intercompany use only. Business Cards Document limit: up to 15 business cards Checks Must be personalized checks Credit Cards Personalized credit cards Diplomas Drivers License Examination Papers Document Limit-20 Kgs Greeting Cards, Invitations Must be personalized to be considered documents. Non-personalized greeting cards and invitations are considered non-documents and require an invoice. Intercompany Data on CD-Rom/Disk Manuals (Technical) The number of manuals must be appropriate for the purpose Negatives Must be negatives, slides, or printing films being sent to press or publishing agencies. If the value includes press or editorial charges, the items are considered non-documents and require an invoice. Newsletters (Company) Document: intercompany shipments for intercompany use with no commercial value Non-document: shipments from a publisher or printing company Newspapers Must be for non-commercial purposes Passports Valid passports can be shipped as documents. The description must clearly state 'passport'. The passports are subject to scrunity by customs. A customs inspection and delays are likely. Stationery Must be personalized stationery and have no commercial value. The amount (number of pieces) must be appropriate for non-commercial use. Traveler's Checks Must be personalized to be considered documents. Visa Applications Completed personalized visa applications only.
Declaration
Certificates of Origin - Certificates of Origin are required for the importation of any Textile products. Exceptions include mutilated samples, luggage made up of textile materials, Canvas bags, Gifts, . Commercial Invoices - Invoices are required for all shipments with a value exceeding 15 pounds Sterling. Invoices should show freight, insurance and similar charges as separate items when applicable, regardless of the INCOTERM used on the transaction. Dangerous Goods Certification - Some goods will in addition to the standard documentation noted above, may require DG certification. IE: perfumes, liquor, chemicals, etc. C3 - This form applies to the importation of qualifying in order that tax relief may be claimed. It is used in the following circumstances: foreign students engaged in a study program in the United Kingdom moving for the purpose of marriage to the United Kingdom private individuals moving home to the United Kingdom. C2 - This form applies to the importation of qualifying in order that tax relief may be claimed. It is used in the following circumstances: foreign military personal temporarily moving home to the United Kingdom on assignment.
Duties & Taxes
Articles up to 15 GBP(£) value, except alcohol and tobacco products, are admitted free of duty and taxes. shipments under 15 GBP can enter duty and Tax (VAT) free. shipments over 15 GBP but under 135 GBP are liable for VAT but can enter duty free shipments over 135 GBP will attract VAT and possible duty, over 2,000 GBP require a commercial invoice and a formal declaration to Customs Gifts above £135 and up to £630, duty rate: 2.5%, but rates are lower for some goods Gifts above £630 and other goods above £135: the rate depends on the type of goods and where they came from VAT VAT is charged on all goods (except for gifts worth £39 or less) sent from: outside the UK to Great Britain outside the UK and the EU to Northern Ireland VAT is not charged on goods that are gifts worth £39 or less. You pay VAT when you buy the goods or to the delivery company before you receive them. If you have to pay VAT to the delivery company, it’s charged on the total package value, including: the value of the goods postage, packaging and insurance any duty you owe VAT is charged at the VAT rate that applies to your goods.
To view more information, please click here: tax and customs for goods sent from abroad