Moving to the UK, Shipping Household Goods to the UK

This information is prepared by IntlMOVE for IntlMOVE’s customers moving to UK and Shipping Household Goods or Personal Effects from USA to the UK.

If you are moving to UK  and plan to ship your household goods and  personal effects, there are customs regulations in UK you need to consider .
Below are UK’s rules and regulations regarding the importation of used household goods and personal belongings

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR MOVING TO UK AND SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS TO THE UK

The C3 customs form is required to clear each household goods and personal effects shipment through customs. Customs is very strict about this form, and will only accept original forms with original ink signatures, i.e.; fax copies are not accepted.

• Customs Form (Import Declaration), two fully completed originals need to be provided to Customs
• C-3 (Household goods and personal effects for primary residence)
• C-33 (Household goods and personal effects for secondary residence)
• C426 (for diplomatic entry)
• C104A/C104F/C384 (Motor Vehicles)
• C-5 (Pets)
• Valid Passport
• Visa may be required
• Work Permit
• Detailed Inventory of household goods and personal effects  in English, two copies, valued, dated and signed by Customer
• Keys for any locked items

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR MOVING TO UK AND SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS TO THE UK

• Household Goods and Personal effects must arrive within twelve months after Customer or up to six months before customers arrival
• Other regulations vary according to the following:
• Customer moving principal home or returning to the United Kingdom:
  • Used household goods and personal effects including tools of trade, can be duty-free if:
    • Household Goods Items have been in Customer’s own use for at least six months before they are imported
    • Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom
    • Customer declares them on C-3
  • Customer entering from outside the EC must have lived at least twelve months abroad and cannot sell, lend or hire out or otherwise dispose of the household goods and personal effects items in the United Kingdom within twelve months of importation, unless Customer obtains Customs authority first
  • Customer who is setting up a secondary home in the United Kingdom
• Customers living in another EC country used household goods
  • Household goods and personal effects can be duty and tax free if:
  • Customer either owns a secondary home in the United Kingdom or is renting one for at least twelve months
  • Household goods and persobnal effects Items have been for Customer’s own use at least three months prior to importation and will not be sold within twelve months after importation
  • Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom
  • Customer declares them on C-33
• Customers living outside the EC
  • Used household goods and personal effects can be duty, but not VAT free if:
  • Customer has lived for at least twelve months outside the EC
  • Customer either owns a secondary home in the United Kingdom or is renting one for at least twenty-four months
  • Customer has owned and used the household goods and personal effects items for at least six months before they are imported
  • Customer can not sell, lend, hire out or otherwise dispose of the household goods or personal effects  items in the United Kingdom within twelve months of importation, unless Customs authority is obtained first
  • Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom
  • Customer declares them on C-33
  • Special regulations apply to students, newlyweds, visitors, inheritances, those shortly to marry, to goods originating from EC countries, personal antiques (not for resale), etc. Specific details in these cases must be obtained by Customer directly from Embassy/Consulate.

DUTIABLE AND RESTRICTED HOUSEHOLD GOODS ND PERSONAL EFFECTS ITEMS

• New household goods and personal effects  items, if less than six months old (invoice required)
• Alcohol, tobacco and perfume products dutiable and must be declared on Customs Form
• (C-3 or C-33); PRESENCE OF THESE ITEMS CAN RESULT IN FULL INSPECTION OF ENTIRE SHIPMENT (SHOULD NOT BE SHIPPED WITH HOUSEHOLD GOODS.)
• Plants will need a Phytosanitary Certificate

PROHIBITED HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS ITEMS

• Firearms
• Valid Firearms Certificate issued by the police authorities
• All handguns other than certain .22 caliber target pistols, are now illegal in the United Kingdom. Importation is strictly prohibited
• Ammunition, flick knives, explosives and fireworks
• Drugs and narcotics
• Counterfeit currency
• Pornographic material and horror comics
• Meat, poultry, fish and other animal products
• Radio transmitters (CB radios, walkie-talkie, cordless telephones, etc.) not approved for use in the United Kingdom
• Trees, plants, shrubs, seeds, bulbs, soil, potatoes and certain other vegetables and fruits
• Most animals and all birds, whether alive or dead (i.e. stuffed) and certain articles derived from protected endangered species including furskins, ivory, reptile leather and goods made from the endangered species

MOTOR VEHICLES

(Including trailers, boats, aircraft, etc.)

• CUSTOMER’S PRESENCE AT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE MAY BE REQUIRED
• Importation for most private vehicles is duty-free if:
  • Owner moving primary residence to the United Kingdom (Customer living outside the EC must have been abroad for more than twelve months) and vehicle has been owned and used abroad by Customer for at least six months
  • Was not purchased under duty/tax-free scheme, is for personal use and is not to be resold within one year of importation
• Declaration to HM Customs – must specify year of manufacture, make, model name, serial number, chassis number, engine number, cubic engine capacity, number of cylinders, whether petrol or diesel, whether left or right hand drive, description of the body, price, the odometer reading, any extra or special features (e.g. automatic transmission) and any defects in the auto that would bring the price down
• Documents Required:
  • 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) obtained from Customs office in the country of exportation
  • Registration papers/Title
  • Police Certificate or Registration
  • Insurance Policy
  • Original Purchase Invoice
  • Log Book

PETS

• Very strict restrictions apply
• Health Certificate and proof of inoculation required
• Customs Form C-5 required
• Dogs and cats: six months quarantine required in government approved facility
• Quarantine kennel space limited, must be booked prior to importation
• Import License – not granted until other requirements have been met, and quarantine (six months) in licensed facility has been arranged

NOTE – customs regulations in the UK are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to the UK and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, IntlMove cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Richard: Just got your quote and I like it!

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From: Richard H.
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 2:17 PM
To: flannery@intlmove.com
Subject: Re: Door to Door Quote for your Move Overseas

David, just got your quote and I like it!!!

I will keep in contact with you and within the next 30 days I will be calling you and sending you a deposit to take care of this move. You have totally put me at ease. I have a few things to take care of first hence the 30 days but you will be taking care of my move. I need to contact my wife as she is bouncing around Europe right now so I can coordinate every aspect of the shipment. I understand that it could increase in price when you do you final packing but trust that you are honest and true.

Once again thank you for the great customer care and I will also be referring your company to others and I will be using you again as I move constantly back and forth.  I am also doing a detailed inventory of the contents of each box for customs and both our records.

Kind regards, Richard Hersey

Anne: a tremendous job was done by all

Moving to UK, Moving to United Kingdom, Shipping Household goods to the UK, Shipping to UK, Shipping to United Kingdom

From: Anne R.
To: Gloria@intlmove.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 8:31 AM
Subject: furniture

Hi Gloria, Just wanted to let you know I took delivery of my stuff on Friday and the guys from Euro USA were great. It only took them around 3.5 hrs to deliver, unpack and remove, themselves and the packing material. It was the hottest day of the year and they had to do 2 flights of stairs so a tremendous job was done by all.

I also want to thank you Gloria, it’s been a traumatic time for me and you were enormously helpful and supportive and I truly do appreciate it. Please accept my thanks and I’ll be more than willing to put my name to an endorsement of your company. may I say they are very lucky to have you as an employee.  Anne R.

Angela: I am very pleased with your company

Moving to UK, Moving to United Kingdom, Shipping to UK, Shipping to United Kingdom

From: <angelammalik>
To: jtovy
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 9:53 AM
Subject: Thanks a bunch!

Hello there, I had my shipment picked up on Tuesday May 16th. ref # 1145014 and I live in  WI, 53207. I’m just writing to let you know that the gentlemen who came to pick up my cargo were very sweet and professional. I am very pleased with your company and thank you. Take care.
Kind Regards, Angela

Mark And Samia: Thank you again for your help

Moving to UK, Moving to United Kingdom, Shipping to UK, Shipping to United Kingdom

From: Sam S.
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 11:03 AM
To: gloria@intlmove.com
Subject: RE: FW: FW: 06-06-022-23 A155 To Customer- $BD Aditional.doc

Hi Gloria, Thank you again for your help, it has been a pleasure dealing with you. Take care

Kindest regards,  Mark And Samia

Minella P. moving from California USA to UK

Moving to UK, Moving to United Kingdom, Shipping to UK, Shipping to United Kingdom

From: Minella P.
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2007 4:14 AM
To: admn@intlmove.com
Subject: RE: 07-01-016-23

To Whom It May Concern:

We have recently received our goods which were shipped from the USA to the UK in PERFECT CONDITION.  We would like to compliment your staff involved in all facets of our move.

The service we received from the moment we were quoted to the time our goods were delivered was second to none.  We have moved internationally 4 times in the past 10 years & your company is by far the most professional, organized, friendly & efficient.

A huge thanks & well done, Minella P. & Brad B.