Customs Clearance

Importing or Exporting? We make sure your imports/exports are not delayed through careless customs dealings.

Unrivalled experience in importing & exporting

We take care of all the documentation on your behalf

We liaise with customs officials so you can concentrate on your business

Full understanding of customs procedures helping ensure there are no delays

We can arrange onward transfer using experienced perishable freight specialists

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Get in touch today

Contact our specialist team right away for expert advice and professional support

SAVE MONEY

Getting everything right first time is vital for anyone whose business involves importing. Customs problems have to be avoided because delays can be disastrous.

SAVE TIME

You can totally rely on the industry’s leading freight agents to ensure your valuable products speed their way through customs and reach your markets without delay.

SAVE HASSLE

In other words you can trust us to take care of everything so that imports arrives safely and on time and you don’t have to worry.

Customs Clearance for Importers – UK Business FAQs

1. Do I need a customs broker to import goods into the UK?

No, but most UK businesses use a customs broker to avoid costly errors.

Customs declarations are complex. Mistakes can cause delays, storage charges, penalties or audits. A professional customs broker, like Aerona Custom Clearance ensures accurate, compliant clearance.

2. How do I clear goods through UK customs?

You must submit an import declaration through HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS).

You will need:

UK EORI number

Commercial invoice

Correct commodity code

Customs value

Payment of duty and VAT

Aerona submits declarations electronically for fast release.

3. Why is my shipment stuck in UK customs?

Goods are usually delayed due to:

Incorrect commodity codes

Missing invoices

Unpaid duty or VAT

Missing licences

Border inspections

Until the issue is resolved, customs will not release the shipment.

4. How long does UK import customs clearance take?

Low-risk goods: same day

Air freight: 24–48 hours

Sea freight: 2–4 days

Regulated goods: longer due to inspections

Pre-filed declarations reduce delays significantly.

5. How much customs duty will I pay on imports?

Duty depends on:

Commodity code

Country of origin

Trade agreement eligibility

Customs value (cost + freight + insurance)

Incorrect classification often leads to unexpected charges.

6. Who is legally responsible for import duty and VAT?

The importer of record is legally responsible, even if a customs agent submits the declaration.

If goods are shipped DDP, the seller pays.

If shipped DDU, the buyer pays.

7. What documents are required for UK import clearance?

Most imports require:

Commercial invoice

Packing list

Bill of Lading / Air Waybill

EORI number

Import licence (if applicable)

Health certificates (for regulated goods)

Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delay.

8. What is an EORI number and do I need one?

Yes. An EORI number is mandatory to import into the UK.

Without an EORI, customs cannot process your declaration.

9. What is Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA)?

PVA allows VAT-registered businesses to account for import VAT on their VAT return instead of paying at the border.

It improves cash flow and is widely used for UK imports.

10. What happens if I use the wrong commodity code?

HMRC may:

Delay the shipment

Issue fines

Demand backdated duty

Trigger audits

The importer is legally responsible for correct classification.

11. Can customs seize my goods?

Yes. Goods may be seized if:

They are prohibited or restricted

Documents are falsified

Duty is unpaid

Undervaluation is suspected

Compliance prevents seizure risk.

12. Do I pay customs duty on goods from the EU?

Yes, declarations are required.

However, duty may be zero if goods qualify under the UK-EU Trade Agreement and proper origin documentation is provided.

13. What happens if I don’t pay import VAT?

Customs will not release the goods.

Storage fees increase daily, and the shipment may be returned or seized if payment is not made.

14. What is included in a UK import customs declaration?

A CDS declaration includes:

Commodity code

Customs Procedure Code (CPC)

Importer details

Country of origin

Value of goods

Duty and VAT calculation

Accuracy is critical.

15. How do I avoid customs clearance delays?

You avoid delays by:

Using correct HS codes

Ensuring invoices match declarations

Pre-filing before goods arrive

Paying duty promptly

Using an experienced customs broker

Most delays are preventable.

Our worldwide customs clearance services incorporate forwarding, logistics, Air and Sea freight to and from virtually all the major nations, including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, plus countries throughout the Middle East and Africa.

TESTIMONIALS

What others are saying

"Aerona handled my high-value gemstone import over a weekend when other agents were unavailable. They completed the import entry in advance, guided me step-by-step at the airport, and ensured my goods cleared UK customs without delay. Their professionalism gave me complete peace of mindr"

See The Case Study

Our worldwide customs clearance services incorporate forwarding, logistics, Air and Sea freight to and from virtually all the major nations, including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, plus countries throughout the Middle East and Africa.

Social, Financial &
Environmental Responsibility

SOCIAL

As a company we believe that everyone should be respected. This includes our staff, our customers, all our business associates around the world, plus the wider community within which we live and work.

FINANCIAL

We also believe that we should be a financially responsible organisation. That means, whilst operating in a businesslike way, we should always conduct ourselves in a fair, honest and trustworthy manner. As a company we are also committed to supporting a number of charities and worthwhile causes.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Our corporate responsibility also applies to the way we view and treat our environment and we do our utmost to minimise waste and pollution and try to be at all times ecologically aware. Whenever possible we also encourage our fellow business colleagues to adopt a similar environmental agenda.