Brexit Preparation Checklist

Shipping from the UK to EU countries has changed and there are some important things you need to know. 

Please read the following information carefully before booking your European pallet delivery. 

Do you have a valid EORI number? 

You will need an EORI number if you move pallets into the EU (to clear the goods through UK Customs). Your booking will not be accepted if you do not have a valid EORI number. 

Does your EU Customer have an EORI Number? 

Please note your EU buyer will also need an EU EORI number to clear the goods at the port of import. 

Have you submitted the correct Commodity Codes (also referred to as Tariff or HS Codes)? 

Your goods will need to be declared at customs ahead of export/import, and in order to complete the necessary declarations, your goods will need to be classified using the correct Commodity Codes. 

The Commodity Codes let Customs know what type of goods are being moved, and if any duty or VAT is applicable, or if they qualify for relief.

It’s important to ensure that you have classified your goods correctly to ensure the correct charges are levied against your goods. 

Incorrect classification of goods may result in additional charges to the party paying to clear the goods at the port of import.

For help classifying your goods or checking the duty or VAT applicable, please check GOV.UK.

Have you provided the correct CPC code? 

All goods must be correctly declared when exiting the UK.

The correct CPC will determine the type of goods and their movement (reason for export). For example, temporary export or permanent export. 

This code, (entered in box 37 of the export declaration), helps to determine how the shipment is processed and how, when and from who duties and taxes are collected.

Knowing any Customs formalities or control requirements and the purpose of the movement of goods before shipping will help you declare the correct CPC code and avoid any extra or unnecessary charges to you or your buyer.

The GOV.UK website has an excellent guide on helping you select the correct CPC code.

Are your goods subject to licencing or controls? 

You must know if your items are subject to licensing or controls before shipping them. 

If they are, you will need to liaise with the buyer (or seller) to avoid Customs entry delays.

If the goods do not have the correct accompanying paperwork to clear the goods, they may be returned at your cost or destroyed depending on the nature of the goods.

Do you know the origin of your items? 

To ship goods outside the UK, HM Customs needs to know their Country of Origin to rule out restrictions. For example, extra Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD) is applicable on ceramics manufactured at specific Chinese factories entering the EU. 

Knowing and declaring the Country of origin accurately on your paperwork helps you get ahead of charges and ensure that you have the correct paperwork to accompany the goods and help with clearance at the destination port.

Remember, your Commercial Invoice must state the country of origin of all items.

Do you know what additional documents or proofs are needed to accompany your goods?

Depending on the type of products and the country you are shipping to, you will need additional paperwork or proofs to accompany the goods and assist with customs clearance or claim relief on duties. 

Be sure to check for any Free Trade Agreements, controls or restrictions on your products at the destination country before shipping the goods. 

That will be the first step to establishing any additional documentation or proofs required. 

What are the packing material requirements? 

The materials used to ship your items should be carefully considered. This includes; pallets, cartons, boxes, crates etc. 

Wood Packaging Material (WPM) can introduce harmful tree and forestry pests and diseases. Therefore, you must ship your goods using these ISPM15 approved materials. This is the international standard as of January 2021.

Further information can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Have you got your Commercial Invoice and packing list? 

Commercial Invoices are mandatory for all goods leaving the UK and must state the correct details for us to complete Customs entries on your behalf. 

We cannot express enough that this information MUST be correct! 

The seller should also provide a packing list for Customs Clearance to avoid any delays if the information is not already available on the invoice (our Europe help page covers packing lists). 

Have you nominated a Customs broker? 

When sending a pallet outside of the UK with us, you must nominate PalletOnline as your direct representative so that we can handle Customs declarations on your behalf.

This will allow us to declare and amend export entries for you.

Have you applied for a Duty Deferment account? 

Applying for a Duty Deferment account will help ease the Duty payment process when exporting or importing goods outside the UK. 

The benefit of this DDA is that you won’t have to worry about paying necessary duties every time you ship goods, but rather the payment will be withdrawn once a month from your account. 

Remember to declare your goods correctly to ensure you are charged correctly.

Understanding Customs and delays

For time-sensitive shipments, please plan well in advance. 

Please make sure you have provided the correct information the first time around, as this will help speed the Customs clearance process up as much as possible, but there may still be delays.

Due to the new Customs clearance procedures, the accuracy of paperwork and collaboration with the buyer, we cannot guarantee delivery dates or times. 

We can only give a rough guide as to when delivery can be expected. The speed at which the goods clear Customs for delivery is unfortunately beyond our control.

For help booking your European pallet delivery, contact us on Live Chat, and we’ll be more than happy to help you.