Importing goods and customs clearance in the United Kingdom

If you want to ship your goods to the United Kingdom then you have to get them through customs and formally import them. This article describes a number of important aspects.

Please note that if you need help, there are various parties available to support you.

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Our consultants typically charge between 3.000 and 15.000 Euro on fees for market research or a partner search, depending on the complexity and country. There is always an initial payment and they don't work on a commission basis.

Shipping your products

If you sell physical products, you need to get them delivered into the United Kingdom. Depending on the country you are in, this may be a challenge.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.

There may also be non-financial bariers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

Convince potential distributors

A local consultant can find possible business partners, or you have identified them yourself. But how to convince them to market and sell your products or services?

For this you need an export plan with a clear strategy and sufficient financial details.

Importing goods into the United Kingdom

The UK operates its customs system through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which manages import declarations, duties, and compliance. The UK is no longer part of the EU Customs Union, so goods entering the country must comply with the UK-specific customs rules. Visit UK Government – Importing for detailed guidance.

General Import Process

Customs Declaration
- Submit an import declaration through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) or use a customs agent.
- Required documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and any necessary certificates or licenses.
Import Duties and VAT
- Duties are based on the product’s HS code. Use the UK Global Tariff database (UK Tariff Lookup) to calculate applicable rates.
- VAT (Value-Added Tax):
  - Standard rate: 20%.
  - Reduced rate: 5% for some energy products and medical equipment.
  - Zero-rated: Basic food items, children’s clothing, and books.
Additional Non-Financial Requirements
- Goods may require additional certifications or compliance with UK-specific standards, such as the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking for certain products.
- Access non-financial requirements per product using the Access2Markets Portal.
Inspection and Clearance
- Customs inspections may occur. Processing typically takes 1-3 business days if all documents are in order.
Release of Goods
- Cleared goods are free for delivery to their UK destination or stored in bonded warehouses.

Service Providers for Assistance

DHL Supply Chain UK – dhl.com
Kuehne+Nagel UK – kuehne-nagel.com
Palletways UK – palletways.com
Freightline Carriers – freightlinecarriers.co.uk
Simarco Logistics – simarco.com

Importing Small Parcels

For small parcels, major couriers like DHL, FedEx, UPS, Royal Mail, and Parcelforce handle shipments efficiently. Shipping costs for a 2kg parcel:

From the USA: £20-£40 for economy services.
From China: £18-£35 for economy services.

Express shipping options (2-5 days) are available at higher costs. Pricing varies based on service provider, urgency, and destination within the UK. Check directly with couriers for precise rates.

Get funding from banks & investors

Entering a new market is an investment. Finding partners, contracts, translations and marketing costs money and you may need additional working capital.

Only with a good plan with enough financial data you can convince banks and investors to fund you. We help you with the complete business case and documentation.

Frequently asked questions

How to find an importer in the United Kingdom for your product?

The best way to find an importer in the United Kingdom is to understand the sales channel for your product, and what parties are involved. Then find the right importers or wholesalers at the beginning of that chain. Before starting to push your product, approach a number of them to ask what they need. This way you can position your product better before you reach out to a broader group.

How to find a web shop for your product in the United Kingdom?

First check whether your product normally is sold through web shops in the United Kingdom or that other distribution structures are more common. Then determine the characteristics of your ideal web shop, and find a number of these, or outsource this search. When you approach the first few, you will learn what they find important and who your competitors are.

How to convince an importer in the United Kingdom to work with you?

As in any country, convincing an importer or wholesaler to put your product in his assortment is difficult. Importers in the United Kingdom look at the rotation of the product, how easy and often they can sell it, and multiply this with the margin they can make on it. The result should be higher than they earn now from any competing product. Only if you have proper sales data, for example from other countries, they will engage in a discussion with you.