Importing or exporting for the first time?

Posted on 19th February 2024 by Streets Business Support


Image to represent Importing or exporting for the first time?

If you are considering selling or buying to or from companies based outside the UK, you may well be overawed by the plethora of regulation you are required to be familiar.

As a first step, you could make use of the GOV.UK website and access HMRC’s “digital assistant”. You could use this to find out about:

  • getting an EORI number 
  • importing your personal belongings
  • looking up commodity codes, duty and VAT rates
  • trading with Northern Ireland

Take a look at this support page: https://www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline

If the digital assistant cannot help you, you can ask to transfer to a webchat with an HMRC adviser, if they are available.

You can call HMRC for help with questions about:

  • importing
  • exporting
  • customs reliefs

If you think you have been charged too much, find out how to claim a repayment of customs charges in the ‘If you’re charged too much or return your goods’ section of the Tax and customs for goods sent from abroad guide.

Telephone: 0300 322 9434

Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

And if you prefer to have something in writing, you can send a letter for help with questions about importing, exporting and customs relief at:

HM Revenue and Customs — CITEX Written Enquiry Team
Local Compliance S0000
Newcastle
NE98 1ZZ
United Kingdom

Include your VAT registration number and the name and postal address of your business.


No Advice

The content produced and presented by Streets is for general guidance and informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Furthermore, it should not be considered a recommendation or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities or other form of financial asset. The information provided by Streets is of a general nature and is not specific for any individual or entity. Appropriate and tailored advice or independent research should be obtained before making any such decisions. Streets does not accept any liability for any loss or damage which is incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of obtaining Streets' visual or audible content.

Information

The content used by Streets has been obtained from or is based on sources that we believe to be accurate and reliable. Although reasonable care has been taken in gathering the necessary information, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information we publish and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions in material. You should always seek specific advice prior to making any investment, legal or tax decisions.


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