Customs charges on non-eu goods A simple guide

When you are sent goods from outside the European Union (EU), you may be charged customs duty and/or VAT. To cover our costs when we present your goods to the customs authorities – and pay any customs duty or VAT due on your behalf – Parcelforce Worldwide charges a clearance or handling fee.

Border Force controls all goods entering or leaving the EU. It imposes customs and VAT duty on behalf of HMRC.

Parcelforce Worldwide is legally obliged to present all non-EU parcels for commercial items and for gifts above £36 between private individuals to Border Force at our International Hub. Please note that for gifts posted outside of the EU, the minimum value excludes postage costs.

We will pay any customs duty or VAT due on your behalf and pass this charge on to you when your parcel is collected.

what are customs and clearance fees?

who imposes customs charges?

how does the process work?

We charge a handling fee of £8 for Standard parcels and £13.50 for Express items. These fees have remained fixed for the last five years – your payment purely covers our costs. We believe that a flat clearance fee structure rather than one based on a percentage of value (as used by many of our competitors) is fairer for our customers.

why does parcelforce worldwide

charge a clearance or handling fee?

The clearance fee covers our costs for:•PresentingyourparcelstoBorderForce,openingthemfor

inspectionifrequiredandstoringthemifBorderForcewishestoinvestigatefurther

•Repackagingyouritemsoncetheyarereturnedtous•PayingcustomsdutyorVATdueonyourbehalf•Writingtoyoutoadviseyouofyouroutstandingpayment•Storingyouritemssecurelyuntilyoucanmakepayment.

Theblackandwhitelabelattachedtoyourparcelgivesabreakdownofthecustomsandclearancecharges.

If you have any questions about customs duty or VAT, visit Border Force at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs /post/paying-tax.htm

The Parcelforce Worldwide clearance fee is completely separate and queries can be directed to our Resolutions Team by telephone on 01924 294226 or in writing to our Clearance Fee Enquiry Team, PO BOX 486, Wakefield, WF1 9AG.

Customs rules and regulations are independent to all carriers across the world and set by national governments and bodies including the European Union and the World Customs Organisation. As a carrier, we and our competitors are bound by these rules. For full details on Export Customs information, Exporting Worldwide, Moving goods into the EU and Exporting to the EU, see the Customs and Export guidelines at parcelforce.com

Customdelaysareoutsideourcontrolasrulesaresetbythedestinationcountry.

How to pay your customs chargesYoucanpayonline,bypost,byphoneorinpersonattherelevantParcelforceWorldwidedepot.Weareunabletoreleasegoodsfromthedepotuntilcustomschargesandclearancefeeshavebeenpaidinfull.

Allpaymentsmadebypost,byphoneorinpersonshouldonlybeprocessedviatheAutomatedPaymentSystem(APS),asthisadvisesWorldPaythatpaymenthasbeenmade.PleasenotethatwecanonlyacceptpaymentbyBusinessChequeforamountsupto£250.

how to query customs charges

international customs rules and regulations

seized parcels

Customs declaration CP72/ CN23Non-EU export items must have a Customs declaration CP72 completed by the sending customer. Please ensure you include the sender and the recipient’s telephone numbers as well as an itemised description of the items sent. If you hold an account with Parcelforce Worldwide, you will need to complete a CN23 form instead.

Commercial and Proforma Invoices When sending goods, other than samples, gifts and possessions to destinations outside the EU, 3 copies of a commercial invoice must accompany each package. For specific details visit the Customs section at parcelforce.com

Export licences Certain goods being exported to some countries may require an export licence from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Attach it to the package in an envelope marked ‘Export Licence’ and tick the relevant box on the Despatch Pack. A licence is usually valid for a single shipment, even if the value of the goods being sent is less than the amount specified on the licence. Exporters are required to stick a CE83a label on to all parcels with a licence attached. Different government departments have different export licence requirements. Customers are advised to check with the relevant one for their goods. Details of these departments can be found on our website under Customs Help.

Export forms A series of proforma documents that are required in some export instances can be found at parcelforce.com

For further details on export documentation requirements please visit www.hmrc.gov.uk All prices are correct at time of going to print, May 2013.Parcelforce Worldwide, Parcelforce and the Parcelforce Worldwide globe logo are registered trade marks of Royal Mail Group Ltd. Parcelforce Worldwide and Parce lforce are trading names of Royal Mail Group Ltd. Registered number 4138203. Registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0HQ. © Royal Mail Group Ltd 2013. All rights reserved. Parcelforce Worldwide is a GLS network partner.

useful information for importing & eXporting

Import licences Certain goods being imported into some countries may require an import licence, imposed by the overseas government for a range of reasons including health and safety, import quotas and so on. We recommend that you check with the importer that the appropriate licences have been obtained from the relevant government department before shipping any goods. Be aware that rules and regulations change all the time and it is your responsibility to check with your overseas customer that relevant licences have been granted. This information can also be found at parcelforce.com under Customs Help.

Harmonised system (HS) tariff codes We advise including the World Customs Organisation 10 digit HS tariff number (also known as commodity codes, tariff headings, tariff codes, or classification codes) for each type of goods, along with details of the country of origin. This will aid customs authorities assess and charge appropriate duties and taxes.

For assistance, The Tariff Classification Helpline gives verbal (non-legally binding) advice on 01702 366077 or for more information, visit www.gov.uk/trade-tariff

Further support for exporters We recognise that exporting can be a daunting topic – which is why we have brought together a range of expert partners with special offers for Parcelforce Worldwide account customers to help customers develop their export business. Full details can be found at parcelforce.com under Support for Exporters.

It is the importers responsibility to ensure the import is carried out correctly. See parcelforce.com/countries for more information and guidance. Ensure you have the correct form for the destination country.

For further information on customs charges

Please contact our Resolutions Team by telephone on

01924 294226 or write to the Clearance Fee Enquiry Team,

PO BOX 486, Wakefield, WF1 9AG

Calls may be recorded, monitored and used for training and compliance purposes.

Express delivery from next dayWhen speed is essential, our fastest delivery service offers delivery from next working day by 10.30am to the USA, 12 noon to Canada and close of business to Europe. Delivery times vary according to destination and sending postcode, see parcelforce.com/countries

Overnight from Northern Ireland to the Republic of IrelandSend your parcels to the UK’s biggest export market and drive up customer satisfaction with delivery on the next working day.

Express worldwide delivery outside Europe from 3 daysThe perfect balance of speed and price, with day-specific delivery dates available to Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and the USA. Includes tracking and proof of delivery.

Cost effective delivery from 4 days When it’s important but isn’t required tomorrow, globalvalue will take you to the world’s major destinations including the USA, Australia and Asia in a matter of days – at a price that’s well worth waiting for.

When time is on your sideOffering a low-cost solution for non-urgent deliveries outside Europe. There is no compensation or tracking with this service.

Cost effective European deliveryWe partner with home delivery experts across Europe to cater for local customs and conditions. The result is a value for money, road-based solution that ensures your customers are satisfied.

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account only services

eXpress services

standard services