UK Import Services Limited is a UK based Freight Forwarder and Customs broker, offering full International shipping services, including both UK Customs clearance and a delivery service to anywhere in the UK. Please click here to see a full list of services on offer.

Whether its personal use or for business purposes, importing goods can be a cheaper and more exciting option of buying any goods, and one that offers endless choice. The purpose of this site is to explain everything you need to know before deciding if its the right choice for you.

Containing up-to-date useful information for everyone, regardless of previous import knowledge, this site offers all the tools essential to ensuring you are aware of all the options available, including eligibility to claim any relief or exemptions, and minimise any surprise costs, when your goods reach the UK. ukimports.org

IMPORTANT - Please note! Out-of-date information could cost you money.

There are many sites offering Customs Clearance / Brokerage services and importing advice... However, make sure you check the dates shown on the websites!... Old sites could mean old information... The European Commissions (EC) and UK's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) rules and regulations are always changing. ukimports.org

So what can you expect to find on this site? Well, all of the following:

- All the latest updates within the Cargo / Freight world to ensure that you are kept aware of any changes in procedures, or new charges etc. or any delays. Also, this site will give you the ability to track your goods, whilst in transit, regardless of whether its by Air Freight, Sea Freight, Road Freight or Courier.

- There are detailed explanations on the various UK Customs procedures, including providing access to all the Customs Forms and Public Notices, relevant to your own goods and circumstances.

- Cost is always important. Here you can find out about Duty / VAT (coming soon, is a duty and VAT calculator) and all other possible charges, whether they come from Shipping Lines, Air Lines, Freight Forwarders, Co-Loaders, Warehouses and even delivery contractors (hauliers).

In fact there's too much to list here, so please see our Sitemap, which lists all of our pages, or why not use the search facility, courtesy of:

ukimports.org

Leading the way with Social Media

With nearly 2,000 tweets and retweets, UK Import Services is doing its best to keep everyone up-to-date with all the freight industry and economic news and opportunities via Twitter. Sign up to Twitter today and follow us to make sure you see the latest news as it happens. (You don't have to tweet anything yourself, join up and follow people like us) Click here to visit our Twitter page or visit our ' What's New' page. ukimports.org

May 1st 2012 Further increases in GRIs

As the downturn in the economy continues, the cost of shipping by Sea rises with all the Shipping Lines implementing further General Rate Increases (GRI's) in May, on top of thoses already brought in during March and April. We are being told that these further increases are to cover the costs of ships moving less cargo, at well under maximum capacity. ukimports.org

April 25th 2012 UK economy falls back in recession

The UK now joins several other global economy's by falling into a 'double dip' recession. As the difficult times continue, we will try our best to help you keep your shipping costs down. Contact our Imports Team to see how we can help you. ukimports.org

March 26th 2012 Changes in Alcohol Duty Rates

In a continued effort to bring you all the up-to-date information, we have updated our site with the revised excise duty rates, which comes into effect on the 26th March 2012. These can be foud on our dedicated page on Importing alcohol: Click here ukimports.org

January 4th 2011 sees the UK VAT rate change

Announced earlier in 2010, the long wait is over. Please ensure that you calculate your costs carefully, ensuring that you use the UK's higher rate of 20.0% for VAT. ukimports.org

January 1st 2011 the use of the EMCS system for REDS is implemented

For those European suppliers who were clinging on to their AAD Forms, they now have no choice but to begin using the EMCS computer system. Please ask about our REDS services for more information. ukimports.org

November 2010 - Changes to the EORI application process

The previously used C220 has been divided into 2 Forms. The C220a is introduced for those of you who are not VAT registered. ukimports.org

January 1st 2010 sees the UK VAT rate change

Following its brief period at the reduced rate of 15.0%, the UK's VAT rate returns to 17.5%, as of the 1st of January. If VAT applies to your goods, then make sure that you make a note of the estimated arrival date of your goods, to ensure that you know which rate you should expect to pay for VAT. ukimports.org

Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) Scheme

When EORI was introduced in the UK on the 1st July 2009, it replaced the existing Trader Unique Reference Number (TURN) system (although a number of the TURN features will still exist within the new EORI system).

All TURN holders should have received notification of their EORI number by mid-May 2009, except for those who have not used their TURN within the last two years. ukimports.org

Import Licences on textiles from China

As announced by BERR (formerly the DTI), back in November 2008, from 1st January 2009 an import licence will not be required for any textiles originating in China regardless of when the goods were shipped from China. ukimports.org

Also from the 1st January 2009... Changes with the GSP

We see the removal, on the 1st January 2009, of GSP rates of duty for certain products originating in certain countries. (see our 'archive news' section, for more details). ukimports.org

Economic downturn / credit crunch

With the current downturn in the global economies, you don't need us to tell you that hard times are here and everyone must watch each and every penny that's spent. Ensure that you are not caught out by unexpected costs when importing any goods into the UK... all the information you need to know is on this site. ukimports.org

Don't forget!! ... Back at the end of 2008 saw changes with the UK VAT rate & 'Low Value' limit.

In his Pre-Budget Report, which was published on 24 November 2008, the Chancellor announced that the UK's Standard VAT rate was going to be reduced to 15% from the 1st December, this is on top of the previous announcement, made on the 13th November, that also as of the 1st December 2008, people will not have to pay customs duty on items they have bought for less than £105, up from £18, from outside the EU. This is all good news to anyone looking to import goods. ukimports.org

As you would expect the team at UK Import Services will keep you updated with any changes / developments on this subject as and when it happens - Keep checking our ' What's New' page. ukimports.org

Keep checking the 'What's New' section

With expansion plans and protests going on surrounding all the major air ports, such as: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, London City, Manston (Kent), East Midlands etc. etc., and not to forget to mention the deep sea container ports, such as: Felixstowe, Thamesport (London Gateway), Southampton etc., its important to ensure that you are aware of changes that may affect your importations. Our What's New section is where this can be found. ukimports.org

HM Revenue and Customs TURN Team

Importers who need to obtain, activate or discuss either a EORI , (previously Pseudo TURN or VAT) number, should note that the address and contact details, for the relevant Customs team, have changed - Click here to read full details. ukimports.org

As always, ensure the exchange rates you are using are up-to date... see our HMRC Exchange rates page for the latest. ukimports.org

 

Lets get started:

Not sure where to start? How about taking a look at our sitemap for a full list of what's on offer:

back to top