Imports FAQ's
You will need to check the terms contracted with your shipper. If you have paid to arrival UK port only you will be responsible for Customs clearance and delivery charges. In most cases, however, Customs clearance and delivery will have been prepaid at origin and your responsibility therefore will be limited to UK storage (if required) and import duty and Vat, if applicable.
As soon as we are notified of pending arrival by your shipper and receive your shipping documents we will forward our Arrival Notice, customs forms and our Import Instruction Form to your contact address. You can expect to receive these documents 7 to 14 days before the vessel berths.
The Arrival Notice advises the carrying conveyance (vessel name or flight number), estimated time of arrival in the UK and any charges due, such as customs clearance and delivery charges, if you have not prepaid at origin, UK storage (if required) or import duty and Vat, if applicable.
- Customs form C3 if you are bringing personal belongings to the UK from outside the European Union. This is your declaration of belongings to Customs and is used to claim any duty and tax relief that may apply to you.
- Customs form C33 if you are importing normal household furnishings and equipment for setting up a secondary home in the EU.
- Customs form C104A if you are importing a motor vehicle.
- Declaration form C1421 if you wish to claim Inheritance Tax Relief assuming you have goods in your consignment, which are eligible.
The Customs form(s) must be completed in full ensuring that there are no discrepancies with your list of contents. Click on documentation to down load the relevant customs forms. For further information on eligibility to duty and Vat relief please click on Customs Guides .
This is your instruction to Anglo Pacific to arrange customs clearance, storage (if required) and/or delivery on your behalf, without which we cannot act. It also advises us of any problems with access or parking, which helps us plan your delivery.
Please complete and return the appropriate Customs form(s), any receipts for new or unused items and your completed Import Instruction Form. If you are importing a motor vehicle you will also need to provide the vehicle registration documents, proof of purchase and utility bills from your previous address for the past 12 months (to verify the address on the registration documents).
It is imperative that all documents and forms are correctly completed and returned to Anglo Pacific without delay to avoid dock demurrage, quay rent or storage charges, which will otherwise accrue for your account following four days of arrival at the port of importation. Please note that consignments arriving by air are liable to prohibitive airline storage charges after one free day of arrival.
Upon arrival of the vessel we will lodge a bond with Customs to remove a "groupage" container (multiple consignments) to our Customs Approved Depository; this avoids unpacking the container and Customs examination that would otherwise be undertaken at the port of importation. Any uncleared belongings will be stored in our secure customs cage, prior to clearance and/or examination by Customs. Normal customs clearance takes approximately 7 days unless Customs select your goods for examination.
Please note that storage charges will accrue for your account if your consignment remains uncleared following 7 days of its arrival at our depository.
Where a "sole use" container (single consignee) is destined for delivery to a private residence we will lodge a request with Customs for clearance at the port. This generally takes between 3-5 days. Please note that in the event that Customs x-ray the container, you will be liable for the x-ray fee.
Consignments arriving by air are cleared at the airport of arrival.
Please note that we are required by law to report the following circumstances to Customs:
- If the goods have not been collected by or delivered to the importer within one month of clearance and there is no ongoing storage agreement with Anglo Pacific
- If the goods have not been collected by or delivered to the importer within one month of the end of a contracted storage period
Goods arriving from outside the EU for onward delivery to an EU member state will be cleared at our Approved Depository and then transferred to their destination in free circulation.
Where the ultimate destination is outside the EU we will complete a transhipment entry, which permits free passage of goods between EU member states. Goods are customs cleared upon arrival at their destination and any local charges for clearance, duties or taxes will be your responsibility.
Should you require storage prior to delivery please contact us for a quotation. Our facilities in London, Manchester and Glasgow are HM Customs Approved Depositories, fully bonded and protected by 24 hour security. Special facilities are also available for the storage of motor vehicles, antiques and high value items. You should check the terms of your transit cover as it may be necessary to extend cover through your shipper or insurer for the duration of storage. Your policy will become invalid if you transfer your goods to an alternative store.
Once your goods have been cleared by Customs we will advise you of impending delivery. Where we have been instructed to unpack furniture our crew will unpack the specified items upon delivery and remove waste materials immediately following unpacking. If you wish to unpack certain items yourself please notify the foreman upon arrival. It is generally your responsibility to unpack any cartons, subject to the terms of your shipper.
Our service includes one delivery to residence of normal access during weekday working hours, not exceeding first floor level unless accessible by elevator. Our crew will not, under any circumstance, take it upon themselves to undertake work which we are not contracted to do, as additional charges may be involved; eg unpacking of baggage consignments or cartons, positioning furniture above first floor level (unless accessible by elevator), unpacking items originally packed by the owner, assembly of modular furniture, removal of doors or windows for access, delivery to additional addresses. The aforementioned can only be arranged by prior written agreement. If access to your property is difficult or parking restrictions apply please advise us prior to delivery so that necessary arrangements can be made.
Your goods will be checked against the Shipper's Inventory by our Foreman and any loss or damage will be indicated alongside the specific item(s) on the Inventory. The Foreman will require that you sign each page of the Inventory and a copy will be returned to the Shipper for their records. Any claim for loss or damage should be notified in accordance with the terms of your policy.
Following delivery you should check each location with the Foreman to ensure that all goods have been positioned and/or unpacked to your satisfaction. He will ask you to sign our Delivery Note and the Shipper's Inventory to this extent. Motor vehicles may be collected from our depot, following clearance.
To download area maps indicating the location of our London, Manchester and Glasgow depots please click on maps .
