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Customs England: calculation, regulations and restrictions

How do you calculate customs fees in England?

The amount of duty you will have to pay to ship goods from France to the UK depends on two factors: the value of the shipment and the type of product. To find out how much duty and tax you will pay, you can use a duty and tax calculator.

If the value of the shipment is more than €150, or if the goods are not from the UK or the EU, you will have to pay duty in addition to the fee. The amount of duty will depend on the type of product you are sending.

For imports that are not of a commercial nature, a flat rate duty of 2.5% ad valorem will be charged on the total value of the goods. This applies in particular to travellers' personal luggage. However, if you are importing goods for commercial purposes, you will have to pay additional customs duties, the rate of which varies according to the type of product imported. It is therefore important to find out the applicable rates before making a shipment from France to England

Customs UK: Can I send a parcel to the UK without paying customs duties?

When sending a parcel from a non-EU country to the UK, there may be a customs charge. These charges are usually related to the value of the parcel and the type of goods it contains. Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to avoid these charges altogether, but there are a few tricks to minimise them.

The first tip is to declare the value of the package correctly. It is important not to undervalue the package as this could be considered fraud. However, it is also important not to overvalue the parcel as this would increase the costs. It is therefore advisable to find out the value of the goods in the parcel before declaring it.

A second tip is to choose the most suitable shipping method. Some carriers may offer lower rates or specific options to reduce costs. It is therefore advisable to find out about the different carriers and the options they offer before sending a package.

Finally, it is possible to reduce customs fees by choosing goods originating in the UK or the EU. Indeed, for these products, fees are generally not applied. It is therefore important to check the origin of the goods before sending them.
 

Customs fines and seizures in England

The Brexit came into effect on 1 January 2021 and the UK has left the European Union. Borders have been re-established, which will have an impact on your business and travel. Brexit-related customs formalities have been reinstated for businesses following the transition period.

 If you have any questions, the customs service is at your disposal by telephone: contact Infos douane service 0 800 94 40 40 (free service and call) or +33 1 72 40 78 50 (outside mainland France and abroad)
 

Is origin marking mandatory in England?

Origin marking can play an important role in international trade, as it provides information on the origin of imported and exported goods. Although origin marking is not mandatory for all goods in England, it may be required for certain specific products. The rules and regulations relating to origin marking may vary from country to country and may depend on the nature of the goods themselves. For example, textiles imported into the European Union (EU) must be labelled with their country of origin to comply with EU textile labelling rules. Similarly, food often needs to be labelled with the country of origin to comply with food safety rules. Origin marking can also be used for tariff or non-tariff purposes. The rules on origin marking can be complex and it is therefore important for businesses to be aware of the specific regulatory requirements for each product before exporting or importing them into England.
 

Foodstuffs at customs in England

When you travel to England or import food from abroad, you must comply with UK customs rules on food products. UK Customs has strict restrictions in place to protect public health and animals from potential food hazards and diseases. Prohibited foods include those containing meat, dairy products, eggs, fish and certain fruits and vegetables. Travellers and importers should therefore be aware of these restrictions and check the rules before travelling or importing food into England. Penalties for not complying with these rules can include fines, imprisonment and confiscation of goods. It is therefore important to comply with UK customs rules on food to avoid problems when travelling or importing.
 

Products allowed at customs in England

If you are considering importing goods into the UK, it is important to be aware of customs rules and restrictions. The UK customs authorities have strict requirements for importing certain goods, which can vary depending on the nature of the goods, their origin and their final destination.

Some goods are prohibited from being imported into England, such as firearms, illegal drugs, counterfeit goods and hazardous materials. Other products may be subject to specific restrictions, such as import quotas or labelling requirements.

However, there are also many products that can be freely imported into England, such as food, textiles, electronics and toys. However, it is advisable to check with the UK customs authorities whether your product is allowed to be imported before you send your shipment.

 

Products banned from customs in England

When travelling or shipping goods to England, it is important to know that there is a list of prohibited products. These are considered illegal or dangerous and possession of them can lead to fines or even criminal prosecution.

Some of the prohibited goods include firearms, explosives, illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, unlicensed food, protected species, unlicensed tobacco products and unlicensed medicines. In addition, some products require a special licence or permit to be imported, such as live animals, plants, military equipment and electronic or chemical products.

It is important to find out about customs rules and regulations before travelling or shipping goods to England to avoid any potential problems. If in doubt about the legality of a product, it is advisable to contact the local customs authorities for further advice and information.

 

Tobacco at customs in England

The importation of tobacco products is strictly regulated by the UK customs authorities. Travellers are allowed to carry a limited amount of tobacco for personal use without paying import duty. However, the quantities allowed vary depending on the traveller's destination.

For travellers from the European Union, the quantity allowed is 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars or 1 kg of smoking tobacco. For travellers from outside the EU, the quantity allowed is reduced to half of these quantities.

It is important to note that if you exceed the permitted quantities, you will have to pay import duty and VAT on the excess, and you may even be prosecuted for smuggling. In addition, selling tobacco without a licence is illegal in England and is punishable by a fine and criminal prosecution.
 

Customs UK: How do I know if my parcel is stuck in customs in England?

If you think your parcel is stuck at UK customs, here are some steps you can take to find out more:

Check your tracking number: If you have a tracking number for your parcel, you can check it on your carrier's website to see if there are any updates on the location and status of the parcel. If the package is stuck, it should show up in the tracking information.

Contact your carrier: If you can't find tracking information, you can contact your carrier directly to ask them where your package is. They may be able to tell you if it is stuck and why.

Contact UK Customs: If you have reason to believe your parcel is blocked, you can contact customs directly to find out more. You can find contact information for UK Customs on their website. Make sure you have your tracking number and all relevant parcel information ready when you make contact.

Wait and be patient: UK Customs may hold a parcel for a variety of reasons, including documentation issues or the need to carry out security checks. In some cases, it may take some time before the package is released. It is therefore important to be patient and wait for the situation to be resolved.

 

What do I do if my parcel is stuck in customs in England?

Steps to unblock your parcel at UK Customs

If your parcel is stuck at UK customs, here are the steps you can take to unblock your parcel:

1. Check the condition of your parcel

Before contacting customs, you should check the condition of your parcel online. Most shipping companies offer online tracking of their packages. You can therefore check the status of your parcel online to see if it is blocked.

2. Contact customs

If your parcel is blocked at UK customs, you should contact customs for information on why it is blocked. You can contact them by phone or email. In your message, you should provide the tracking number of your parcel and any relevant information.

3. Provide the necessary documents

If your parcel is blocked at customs due to a lack of documentation, you must provide the necessary documents. The documents required will vary depending on the nature of your package and its contents. You should contact customs to find out what documents are required.

4. Pay the customs fees

If your parcel is blocked due to unpaid fees, you must pay these fees to unblock your parcel. You can pay the fee online or by phone. Once the fee is paid, your parcel will be released.