Country Shipping Guide
Shipping to United Kingdom: Customs, Documents & Ports
The United Kingdom, now outside the EU, has its own customs regime requiring import declarations for goods arriving from the EU and elsewhere.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- GBP
- Major ports
- GBFXT, GBLGP, GBSOU
- Time zone
- Europe/London
The United Kingdom, now outside the EU, has its own customs regime requiring import declarations for goods arriving from the EU and elsewhere. Major container ports include Felixstowe (largest), London Gateway, and Southampton. Post-Brexit changes mean additional documentation requirements compared to EU countries.
Customs in United Kingdom
Since Brexit, all imports require customs declarations through the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) or Customs Declaration Service (CDS). UK Global Tariff applies to imports outside trade agreements. VAT is 20%. Rules of origin must be verified for preferential tariffs under trade deals.
Documents required for United Kingdom
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
- Customs Declaration (CDS)
- Import license (if required)
- Certificate of Origin for preferential rates
- Safety and Security Declaration
Tips for shipping to United Kingdom
- Felixstowe handles most container traffic
- Post-Brexit: prepare for customs formalities even from EU
- HMRC provides guidance on import procedures
- Consider bonded warehousing for duty deferment
Popular routes to United Kingdom
- shanghai-rotterdam
More in this directory
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to ship to United Kingdom?
Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, Customs Declaration (CDS), Import license (if required), Certificate of Origin for preferential rates, Safety and Security Declaration
How does customs work in United Kingdom?
Since Brexit, all imports require customs declarations through the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) or Customs Declaration Service (CDS).