Step by Step Guide on How to Export Goods From the UK

The United Kingdom is one of the world's most connected countries regarding global trade. The country exported over £340 billion ($391 billion) in goods in 2021. In recent years, exporters have geared up export volumes. For instance, the UK recorded a 1.7% increase in its export records from 2020 to 2021. Essentially, the UK export market is consistently growing, and new opportunities are emerging. However, many prospective exporters are often confused about how to go about exporting goods from the UK to foreign markets. This article will shed light on this. Read more...

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in a Commercial Invoice

The commercial invoice is one of the most critical documents in the export process. Due to this, it is crucial to fill the document accurately. Also, errors in the commercial invoice could lead to the seizure of your goods or unnecessary clearance delays. This article will discuss the top mistakes to avoid while filling the commercial invoice and what to do when there are errors in your invoice. Read more...

Freight forwarder or customs broker: What's the difference?

The value of international trade has continued to increase in recent years. In 2021, global trade peaked at over $28 trillion . However, traders must undergo millions of import and export processes to arrive at this value. To make these processes easier, traders outsource to freight forwarders and customs brokers. Read more...

How to choose the right customs broker?

Every importer desires a stress-free shipment. This desire is unsurprising, as the payments and paperwork involved in the import process can be daunting. Customs brokers work to help importers achieve the hassle-free importation that they desire. The number of customs and freight forwarding businesses in the UK alone has peaked at over 6,000 in 2022. Yet, finding the right customs broker is challenging for most importers.

This article discusses the factors importers should look for while hiring a customs broker. Read more...

Should you hire a customs broker for clearance? Pros and Cons

It is often tiresome and lengthy to import or export goods. Many times, inexperienced importers are caught in a deadlock due to confusion. Hence, it is unsurprising that importers always look for ways to shorten their import process. To achieve this, many importers engage the services of customs brokers. Read more...

How to Fill Form C88 for Customs?

Import declaration is one of the most critical steps in the importation process. As a security measure, every country requires that importers declare what products enter the country. Generally, a failure to declare your goods can lead to a seizure by the UK Customs Authority (the HMRC). Importers make these declarations by filling out a designated form. In the UK, this Form is called Form C88. Read more...

Import Restrictions in the UK

Since exiting the European Union, the UK has increased efforts to strengthen trade relations with many countries. However, despite these trade goals, the UK has maintained its position on not entertaining the importation of certain goods into its borders. Like every other nation in the world, the UK’s primary priority is the safety of its people and the promotion of its commercial strength. These priorities are safeguarded by enforcing import restrictions. Read more...

Import Taxes from Japan to the UK

Japan is the United Kingdom's 11th largest trading partner. The total trade between the countries peaked at over £31 billion . Essentially, large volumes of goods are shipped from Japan to the UK annually. However, the UK Customs Authority still requires Japanese importers to pay import taxes before the goods are released. Since the UK has a wide range of import taxes for different products, it might be challenging to know what to expect with the import process. This article discusses the import taxes the UK government requires from Japanese importers. Read more...

Import from China to the UK

The trade relations between China and the UK are strong. In 2021 alone, the UK imported goods worth over £63 billion from China. These Chinese imports accounted for about 13% of the UK's total imports in the same year. Based on these figures, it is safe to say that there is great demand for Chinese products in the UK. Thus, it is unsurprising that China has recently become the UK's largest import market. However, as lucrative as Chinese imports seem, importing goods from China to the UK can be complex. This article will discuss the necessary points you need to… Read more...

What to Import to the UK

The United Kingdom is a lucrative market for many importers. Besides the country's position as an economic superpower, UK residents generally have a strong purchasing power compared with residents in other countries. The UK's per capita income was over $47,000 in 2019, and the country's total imports peaked at over £542 billion ($658 billion). These figures show that the UK holds immense opportunities for importers.

This article will provide importers with some insight on the kind of products to import into the UK. Read more...

How to Calculate Import Duty in the UK

The United Kingdom is one of the world's largest hubs of international trade. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ranks the UK as the 12th top trading country globally. In 2021 alone, UK residents imported goods worth over £505 billion into the country. Like other countries, the UK charges a specific rate on all goods imported into its territory. These rates are called import duties or import tariffs. The UK got a total of £4.79 billion in 2021 from customs duty tax on all import and export goods that crossed its borders. As an importer, it is… Read more...

Top 5 Incoterms

Incoterms is an acronym for International Commercial Terms. They are a set of 11 rules that define who is responsible for a shipment throughout the shipping process. Naturally, there are some preferred choices from either the buyer's or seller's point of view. The top five incoterms (ExWorks, FOB, DPU, DAP, DDP) have pros and cons for each party, let's examine them. Read more...

Trade between the UK and the EU

There has been a great deal of change in the UK-EU trade, whether it is because of Brexit or new regulations, it has become more confusing and difficult. On January 1, 2021, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) went into effect. Under the UK-EU TCA, Great Britain's imports from the EU have permanently changed, Let’s see how? Read more...

Commodity code changes 2022

The concept of commodity codes has been agreed on between over 200 economies globally, it is essential in creating a consistent and easier way for goods to be traded internationally. The codes are a series of numbers which are needed to be assigned to any goods flowing in and out of a country. The number is unique to detect the type, style, material, and colour of the product. Not only that but other uses of a commodity code are to detect whether the good needs an import license, if its eligible to apply for preferential duty ratings, all the duty… Read more...

Custom changes and declaration, UK 2022

Full Custom Controls will be the dominating feature of the new Post-Brexit Custom Changes. Declarations became effective on 1st January, 2022. Britain's exit from the European Union has fostered quite a number of new Post-Brexit regulations. These changes are a result of UK leaving the single market at the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020, which meant that the EU and the UK no longer observe the same Custom rules. Companies and business owners were advised to adequately prepare for a new wave of changes in Custom and Declarations that took immediate effect on the 1st January… Read more...

The importance of supply chain visibility

In an increasingly globalised world, most products travel a long way before reaching the end consumer. While the final product itself needs to be transported from where it is manufactured to its retail or wholesale destination, the several components which make up that product are likely to have already travelled far and long before that. Read more...

E-commerce and its environmental affects

E-commerce has taken over the world and become our new normality. Encouraged by the globalisation of today’s economies, the ability to find, buy and try new products has become one of the easiest processes for consumers. It is a process that is fundamental for a large majority of business around the world. Its variety and efficiency are unbeatable with products available 24/7 and arriving at your door the next day. Not only does e-commerce have benefits for the consumer but also firms. By using e-commerce, firms may lower costs and wider product ranges. It also is increasingly easier to promote… Read more...