Customs Duty Relief Schemes Available to UK Importers
Overview of UK Customs Duty Relief Schemes The United Kingdom offers a range of customs duty relief schemes designed to reduce or eliminate duty payments for businesses that meet specific criteria. These schemes can significantly lower the cost of importing goods, making UK businesses more competitive in global markets. Understanding which reliefs are available and […]
Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS): Lower Tariffs for UK Importers
Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) Lower Tariffs for UK Importers — Rules of Origin Updated July 2025 If your business imports goods from developing countries, you may be entitled to significantly lower — or even zero — tariffs under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). Since July 2025, important updates to the Rules of […]
Outward Processing Relief (OPR): How to Save Duty When Exporting for Repair
Outward Processing Relief (OPR) How to Save Duty When Exporting Goods for Repair or Processing If your business regularly exports goods abroad for repair, maintenance, or processing before reimporting them to the UK, you could be paying far more customs duty than you need to. Outward Processing Relief (OPR) is a HMRC-authorised procedure that can […]
VAT on Services Between UK and EU: Reverse Charge Rules
How VAT on Cross-Border Services Works Post-Brexit Since the UK left the EU VAT area on 1 January 2021, the rules governing VAT on services traded between the UK and EU have shifted significantly. The general principle remains broadly similar — the place of supply determines where VAT is charged — but the mechanisms and […]
Understanding Customs Value: Methods, Delivery Costs and Common Mistakes
Why Customs Value Matters The customs value of imported goods determines how much duty and import VAT you pay. Get it wrong and you either overpay — eating into your margins — or underpay and face retrospective demands, penalties and interest from HMRC. GOV.UK’s valuation guidance requires the customs value to reflect the true economic […]
Anti-Dumping Duties: When They Apply and How to Check
What Are Anti-Dumping Duties? Anti-dumping duties are additional charges imposed on imported goods when a foreign manufacturer sells those goods at below their normal market value — a practice known as “dumping.” The purpose of these duties is to protect domestic producers from unfair price competition. In the UK, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) investigates […]
UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): What Importers Must Know Before 2027
UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): What Importers Must Know Before 2027 The UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is one of the most significant trade policy developments since Brexit. Starting 1 January 2027, it will impose a carbon cost on imports of carbon-intensive goods — reshaping supply chains and compliance obligations for thousands of […]
How to Reclaim Import VAT on Goods Brought into the UK
What Is Import VAT and Who Pays It? When goods enter the United Kingdom from outside the country, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) levies import VAT at the point of entry. This charge — usually 20% of the customs value plus any duty — applies to most commercial shipments and is separate from customs duty […]
Preferential Tariff Rates and Rules of Origin: How to Save on UK Customs Duties
Preferential Tariff Rates & Rules of Origin How to Reduce UK Customs Duties Using Free Trade Agreements The UK has built an extensive network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) since leaving the EU. Businesses that understand how to use preferential tariff rates and meet rules of origin requirements can make substantial savings on customs duties. […]
Customs Warehousing in the UK: How to Suspend Duty and VAT Payments
UK Customs Warehousing Suspend Customs Duty, Import VAT and Excise on Stored Goods Customs warehousing is a powerful duty deferral mechanism available to UK businesses that import goods and wish to delay the payment of customs duty, import VAT, anti-dumping duties and excise duties. Goods stored in an HMRC-authorised customs warehouse can remain there indefinitely […]
