If you are moving to the United Kingdom, whether it's England, Wales, North Ireland or Scotland, it takes a lot of proper planning and research. The last thing you need is to be rushing around gathering all of your documents last minute - you'll need to be prepared for overseas relocation.
Read on for more information on what to expect when clearing customs and moving to the United Kingdom.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY
In order to enter the United Kingdom from another country, you will need a number of documents ready. These
important documents should be received in advance of the arrival of your shipment to avoid any additional charges of demurrage. It is best to hire a customs brokering service for assistance in preparing these documents by their particular deadline.
When moving to the United Kingdom, you will need:
- Valid passport
- Visa (may be required)
- Work permit (if necessary)
- Customs Form (Import Declaration)
- Two fully completed originals need to be provided to customs agent
- C-3 Form (household goods and personal effects for primary residence)
- Required to clear household goods and only original forms with original ink signatures will be accepted
- C-33 Form (household goods and personal effects for secondary residence)
- Detailed Inventory of household goods and personal effects in English
- Two copies, valued, dated and signed by customer
- C426 Form (for diplomatic entry)
SHIPPING REGULATIONS
Upon moving to the United Kingdom, you will be faced with various regulations you must abide by in order to successfully clear customs with your shipment.
Things to keep in mind:
- All household goods and personal effects must arrive within 12 months after your arrival in the UK or up to six months before your arrival in order to clear customs
- These items should come accompanied with a C-3 or C-33 Form
- Detailed inventory of goods and household effects must also be included
- Special regulations are given to the following and therefore specific information must be obtained by you from the Embassy or Consulate
- Students
- Newlyweds and those who plan to marry shortly
- Visitors
- Goods coming from EU countries
- Personal antiques or inheritances not meant for resale
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Most countries have a list of items that are not allowed in the country whatsoever. In the United Kingdom, you cannot import the following items under any circumstance:
- Illegal drugs
- Flick knives/switchbladesand gravity knives
- All handguns other than certain .22-caliber target pistols
- Pornographic material
- Horror comics
- Drugs and other narcotics
- Counterfeit currency
- Meat, poultry, fish and other animal products (if traveling from a country not in the EU)
- Trees, plants, shrubs, seeds, bulbs, soil, potatoes and other vegetables and fruits (if traveling from a country not in the EU)
- Products created from remains of protected/endangered animal and plant species
- Fur, skins, ivory, reptile leather, caviar, shells or products made from these items
RESTRICTED ITEMS
When shipping your household goods and personal effects to the United Kingdom, you should also be aware of the numerous items that are subject to duty fees, need special permission, or have limits on quantity. Some of these items include, but may not be limited to:
- Firearms
- Ammunition and explosives
- New household goods and personal effects if they are less than six months old (invoice required)
- Alcohol, tobacco and perfume products are dutiable and must be declared on your Customs Form (C-3 or C-33)
- Do not ship these items along with your household goods
- Importation of these items can result in a full inspection of your entire shipment
- Plants require a Phytosanitary Certificate
- Certain radio transmitters
- CB radios, walkie-talkie, cordless telephones, etc.
MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
If you're relocating to the United Kingdom for work, or any other reason that requires daily travel, you'll probably want to consider taking your vehicle with you. If you plan on
shipping your vehicle, you will need:
- The owner is moving their primary residence to the UK
- If you are living outside the European Union (EU), you must have been abroad for at least 12 months
- You have owned and used your vehicle abroad for at least six months
- It was not purchased duty free or tax free
- The vehicle is for personal use only and will not be sold within a year of being imported
- A Declaration to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise must specify:
- Manufacture date, make, model name, serial number, chassis number and engine number
- Cubic engine capacity and number of cylinders
- Whether it is petrol or diesel and left or right hand drive
- Description of the body, the price and the odometer reading
- Any extra or special features
- Such as automatic transmission
- Any defects in the vehicle that would affect its price
- Your presence at customs clearance may be required
You will need the following documents:
- Registration papers and title
- Police certificate or registration
- Insurance policy
- Original purchase invoice
- Log book
- Customs Form C104A (Importing vehicle in connection with moving main residence to the United Kingdom)
- Customs Form C104F (Importing vehicle for a 6-12 month period)
- Customs Form C384 (Importing vehicle when duty is applicable)
- Community Transit Document T2 (can be found in the country your vehicle is being exported from
PETS AND ANIMAL REGULATIONS
If you own a pet, you probably wouldn't want to leave it behind in your overseas trek. To be sure your animal companion makes it through customs in the United Kingdom without any trouble, you will need:
- A microchip
- Proof of rabies vaccination
- Pet passport or third country official veterinary certificate
- Proof of tapeworm treatment (for dogs only)
- Use of an authorized carrier by an approved route
- A blood test taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination
- Only if you are traveling from an unlisted country
- Must wait three months from the date of the blood sample before traveling
- Vet must be given copy of test results
- Blood test must show that the vaccination was successful
- Customs Form C-5
- Six months in quarantine in a government approved facility for all dogs and cats
- Due to limited space in the quarantine kennel, this time must be booked before you import your pet
- Import license (not granted until other requirements have been met and six months in quarantine have been scheduled)
- There are no restrictions on pet rodents, rabbits, birds, decorative fish, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles when arriving from EU countries
- Rabbits and rodents from countries outside the EU must spend four months in quarantine and have a rabies import license
INTERNATIONAL MOVES
International moves are much more complex than a local or long distance move, as they come with numerous expenses and plenty of paperwork. The most important part of your move will be finding full-service international movers and freight forwarders that have proper licensure and insurance.
Need help finding international moving companies in your area for your Move to the United Kingdom? You can get started here at Movers.com by submitting our
free international moving quote form, which will connect you with up to seven qualified movers in your area.
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