Seafreight - UK FCL charges

If you are fortunate enough to have enough goods to fill a whole seafreight container, then (depending upon the 'Inco-terms'), the following charges will apply to you.

Please note. If your goods are 'Less than a Container Load' or 'LCL', then Click here to see what charges you can expect. ukimports.org

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Freight costs / Shipping charges

If your shipper / exporter has not paid for your goods to be shipped to the UK, then the charge for this will be collected by the shipping line when your goods arrive into the UK. Just prior to the vessel / containers arrival, the shipping line used will usually send out a 'Notice of Arrival' to the consignee, and the charges owed to the line, will be shown. As your would expect, the larger the container, the more you would expect to pay. As is the case with specialist container, e.g. refrigerated or 'Refers', Open-top etc. etc. ukimports.org

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Other shipping line charges

An example of other charges that the shipping line will want you to pay could be some of the following:

UK Terminal Handling Charge (THC)
Documentation / Admin. Fee
ISPS (Ships security) Charge
LO-LO (Load-On, Load-Off)
Any Demurrage incurred (Rent / Storage) ukimports.org

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Customs clearance

If your shipping line is charging you for Customs clearance, then ensure that they sound like they know what they are talking about, and that they are not over-charging you for this service.

As with most services, there is a lot of competition and differing extent of companies knowledge, so always ask a couple of companies for an explanation of the process and what you have to pay.

Once you have found a company to Customs clear your goods for you, ensure that you provide all the information and pay their charges quickly, as any delays could mean that your shipment incurs rent / storage at the port. ukimports.org

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Duty and VAT

If your goods are liable for import duty and / or VAT, then this can be paid in 2 ways.

Firstly, direct to Customs from your bank. It is always recommended that you are arranging your own transfer, that it be done by CHAPs (same-day) transfer. Your bank will charge you for this service, and is usually between GB£ 30.00 - GB£ 40.00. This could be cheaper than paying the Customs clearing agent. Ask what they would charge to pay this on your behalf.

Secondly, as mentioned above, the Customs clearing agent can pay this to Customs on your behalf, and you in-turn, pay them. Now, they are guaranteed to charge you for this service, which is known as 'Use of DAN' or UAD (which basically means, you use the agents Customs Deferment Account, which is like a bank account that some big companies hold with Customs). This is usually a percentage of the total amount of Duty and / or VAT payable, or a minimum of about GB£ 30.00. But what you also get with this service, is assurances that your shipment will Customs clear without any problems.

If you choose to pay directly yourself, as many people do, then your clearing agent will supply you with the bank account details of Customs. You MUST ensure that a 'FAS Reference number' and 'FAS TURN' are sent with your money transfer and that a completed form C514 is faxed, emailed or posted to Customs. ukimports.org

Contact us if you require more information. ukimports.org

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Port Security Charge

Each port in the UK will charge a Security Fee against each container arriving at the port. This charge is passed to you via the clearing agent used.

Now, the Customs clearing agent is entitled to, and usually does, add on a small fee for collecting this charge on behalf of the port. The main UK ports and an approximate amount that your should expect to pay, is shown below.

Please note: The figures below is to be used a guideline only.

Felixstowe GB£ 11.00
Liverpool GB£ 7.50
Southampton GB£ 7.50
Thamesport GB£ 8.00
Tilbury (London) GB£ 8.00 ukimports.org

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Other Charges

The port of Felixstowe is currently in the process of a huge expansion plan. Unfortunately for anyone with any cargo arriving into the port during this period, you will have to subsidise this expansion, due to the introduction of a port 'Infrastructure Fee' of GB£ 5.50 per container.

If you get asked to pay any other charges which you feel should not be applicable, then feel free to contact us for and we'll try our best to help. ukimports.org

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Customs X-Ray / Scanner Charge

Finally, Customs randomly select containers for X-ray examination (also known as a 'Scanner' hold). This does not necessarily mean that Customs suspect that there is specifically something in your container that has aroused suspicion, Its just randomly selected by the Customs computer system. Unfortunately, you have to pay for their time and efforts in checking your container, which is usually about GB£ 55.00. ukimports.org