For UK businesses moving goods across borders, the paperwork has never been light. Since Brexit, the volume of customs-related processes that UK businesses have to manage has increased substantially. For anyone shipping internationally on a regular basis, that is not news, but it is worth understanding where the real friction points are.
The British Chambers of Commerce surveyed over 1,300 businesses and found customs procedures and documentation was cited as the number one barrier to exporting by 45% of UK companies. That level has held steady for several years. The procedures themselves are not going away, and in some areas, they are getting more complex, not less.
Errors have a habit of surfacing at the worst possible moment – at the border, under time pressure and with a customer waiting. A duty charge that was not anticipated, a declaration that does not stack up, a shipment that cannot clear… getting ahead of those scenarios is what this comes down to.
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The documents and processes you need to get right
Every cross-border movement is built on paperwork. Customs authorities need to know what is being shipped, where it started, what it is worth, and whether it is permitted to enter. Miss something, or get something wrong, and the shipment stops.
The customs declaration is the central document. It is submitted electronically before the goods move and has to reflect the actual contents, declared value and origin accurately. This is not a document to complete in a hurry.
Commodity codes, or HS codes, sit at the heart of how goods are classified internationally. They determine the duty rate, flag any licensing requirements, and dictate how goods are handled at the border. An incorrect code is one of the most common causes of delays.
Import duties and VAT are calculated on the basis of the commodity code, the declared value and the country of origin. Knowing what those figures are likely to be before a shipment leaves is important, not something to work out on arrival.
An EORI number is a registration requirement for any UK business moving goods across international borders. It is a basic prerequisite, but shipments do get held because it has been overlooked.
Finally, commercial invoices and packing lists are where a lot of shipments quietly come unstuck. The two documents need to be consistent with each other. Different weights, mismatched descriptions or values that do not add up – any of these are likely to get flagged.
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Common mistakes that cause delays
Most customs delays are avoidable. The issues that cause the most disruption tend to come down to the same handful of problems, repeated across businesses of all sizes.
Incomplete documentation is a recurring issue, and all of the documents just mentioned have the potential to hold up shipments. While uncomplicated, they need to be completed properly every time.
Away from documentation, incorrect commodity codes are perhaps the most frequent causes of delays. When a commodity code is wrong, the knock-on effects can be significant. Duties may be applied at the wrong rate, licences that are required may not be sought, and clearance can be refused entirely. Having codes reviewed and confirmed before shipping should be routine practice.
Businesses also run into difficulty when requirements change and they are not aware of it. The UK’s Border Target Operating Model introduced new controls on food, plant and animal products, and many businesses were caught out. Keeping track of what is changing, and when, is something experienced transport logistics providers in the UK can manage on your behalf.
Meanwhile, leaving customs arrangements until the last minute creates unnecessary risk. Declarations need to be prepared and submitted in advance. Waiting until the point of loading, or relying on incomplete information from suppliers, is where problems begin.
How the right transport partner keeps things moving
Efficient and fault-free customs management requires the right knowledge and systems to keep goods moving without disruption.
Transport management companies in the UK that handle international freight need to understand customs compliance as well as they understand the road network. That means knowing what documentation is required for each lane and commodity, being able to resolve exceptions quickly, and having the systems in place to flag issues before they become delays.
Customs management is a core part of our service. We take care of declarations, work through commodity code classification with our customers, and keep a close eye on regulatory changes so that shipments are not caught out by something that could have been anticipated.
Our road transport services in the UK extend into European freight, which means we are managing both sides of the movement. One point of contact, one accountable partner… from collection through to cross-border clearance and onward delivery.
For businesses looking for transport partners in the UK who can take customs off their plate, the value is straightforward. Less time managing compliance, fewer delays and greater confidence that shipments will arrive where they need to, when they need to.
If customs management is adding friction to your international freight, speak to the team at bwd.