Importing from China to the UK can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. With the right knowledge and information you can import successfully and get your goods into the country with ease. In this blog post we will take a look at important documents, shipping costs, sea freight options, customer clearance, and duty tax in order to make importing less stressful for both parties involved!
Make sure you have an EORI (Economic Operator Registration Identification ) Number!
UK customs uses an EORI number as a means of record keeping for both imported and exported goods. When importing commercial cargo from China, all businesses within the EU are required to have an EORI. This is needed for a commercial invoice if you’re using the Chief system and you have to submit an electronic export declaration. An EORI number is also needed if you’re using freight or courier forwarder. Applying for an EORI number is easy, you can apply it online and will take you approximately three days to receive.
Check if you need a licence and that your goods aren’t banned from importing to the UK
Before you try to import your goods from China, ensure that you have the necessary licence. Certain categories require a licence, and these will be listed along with more information on how to obtain one. After deciding if it is applicable in your situation, examine goods subject to import controls for any of the following three types:
Surveillance-this is where the importation is monitored using licenses.
Bans- this is where no importation from China is allowed.
Quotas- this where there's a restriction in the volume of goods that can be imported into a country (i.e. China)
Find the right commodity code for the goods you’re importing
To find out how much duty and VAT fees you have to pay for importing from China, first read about commodity codes. A commodity code is essential in determining your import tax so that you can check:
The paperwork completed
Necessary declarations to the customs office
Find the right forwarding agent
When exporting goods from China, it’s important to have a forwarding agent. A good moving company will help with the customs clearance process and take care of any paperwork that has to be done at UK customs border control.
The total cost of shipping goods out of china
Once you've collected all the necessary documents mentioned above, you can start to calculate the cost of shipping goods out of China. You should take into consideration:
Sea freight options and prices
Customs clearance charges- this will depend on your commodity code, weight, size and value. Third party services like refrigeration/freezing or packing materials- these are all additional costs you need to add in as well.
The total cost of shipping goods out of China can vary depending on various factors. It’s best to get an estimate by contacting a professional in the industry!
Register with Customs Authorities The process of importing from China to the UK can be complicated and necessitates a variety of obligations. For non-documented goods, you must have both a CR Number and POA in order to clear customs.
It is, therefore, advisable that you get in touch with a good freight forwarding company which can always guide you on the import limits of goods from China to the UK.
Pay the required VAT fee
If importing from China to the UK, you are required to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) as well as the total sum of Import Duty and Customs Value. In this case, customs value equals the total cost of imported products including any import duty fee, developmental costs that you get from your supplier and shipping from China to the UK.
Make sure that you pay any pending VAT fee that is due. Remember that if you are VAT registered, then you must always pay the VAT. However, this tax can be claimed back through your standard return form.
Include full details on all labels and invoices
Details must be contained in all invoices and labels. Other necessary details include the quantity of goods, description of the contents being imported, commodity codes, etc. Ensure that your invoice is typed out- no handwritten changes are allowed!
Labelling requirements
First, the CE mark denotes compliance with all applicable directives from a series of European directives. Products that are not regulated by those directives shall not carry that mark. The label should be affixed both to the individual product unit and its package, and it should be done by whoever supplies the item originally.
However, keep in mind that your supplier may not be aware of all the labelling requirements applicable to the product being imported. When this happens, it is critical that you offer them with affixing position, dimensions and graphical files on the product.
Below are some of the important directives related to CE marking which must be observed:
EN71
A toy safety standard that regulates both toys and other children’s products, EN 71 can be subdivided into 13 different standards. It also specifies requirements for graphics such as age warnings to ensure the safe use of toys.
The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) - This applies to electronics and electrical components that have an input or output of 50 to 1000 volts AC and 75 to 1500 volts DC. The LVD requirement covers a myriad of products, with the exception being battery-powered devices.
The European Union echo-design directive—applicable to both domestic electrical appliances and light bulbs as well as non-electrical products like insulation materials, this idea was intended to decrease the emission of greenhouse gases.
Machinery Directive -The purpose of the Machinery Directive is to ensure that there are enough safety features in place so that children won’t be harmed if a machine malfunctions.
Not all machinery and equipment needs to comply with the MD so make sure you choose wisely.
RoHS 2 (restricted hazardous substances) – This type of restriction limits the amounts of certain substances in electronics such as mercury and lead. Although there are exceptions, this labelling requirement is compulsory for all electrical items that have a CE mark.
Radio Equipment Directive (RED) - Used to regulate radio and telecommunications equipment, such as WiFi receivers and transmitters, Bluetooth devices, and some smartphones.
EMC - This directive was put in place to make sure that electrical appliances do not interfere with others. The guidelines only apply to fixed equipment, such as LED digital displays.
Here's a quick rundown of shipping costs from China to UK:
Transportation + Warehousing Costs - this includes the shipping company's rates, storage and customs brokerage fees, etc.
Planning Costs - all costs associated with getting your goods cleared for export such as customs clearance fee; packing materials that can incur duties or import tax; documentation.
China is located 7,775 kilometres away from the UK. The fastest way to transport this distance over land is via air freight but several factors will affect how much it costs: weather conditions, weight of cargo, nature of goods being transported and agency overseeing the process.
When shipping from China to the UK, you should consider the weight of your shipment before selecting the best method for you. It is usually 4-6 times more expensive by airfreight than seaborne freight and takes longer, but saving on space means it may be a better option if you have limited storage in your home or office.
Carrier services from China to the UK
Services like DHL China to the UK provide all of the services related to importation. Known for high-quality, reliable delivery, and trusted by companies such as FedEx and UPS, this carrier company is a great choice for your shipping needs.
Door to door shipping options
Shipping from China to the UK is often done door-to-door, but most shipping takes a lot of time. Forwarding companies handle everything for you.
We’ve covered a lot and it may seem like importing from China is an overwhelming task, but there are many options for you to choose from.
From shipping costs to the total cost of your shipment, we hope this guide has been helpful in helping you make informed decisions about how best to import products into the UK.
If you have any questions or need more help with anything else related to exporting goods out of China, please contact us today!