Customs Clearance Procedures
So, your goods have been collected, beautifully packed, loaded into the shipping container and are now on their way to your overseas destination.
So far so good. Now we have to consider exactly what happens when your goods arrive at the port and what you need to do to ensure a smooth transition through customs and avoid delays at the border points.
We will help you through this sometimes-daunting procedure. We have customs clearing agents in every country and they will be able to guide you through the necessary paperwork to ensure your goods comply with local rules and regulations.
We are a UK registered customs broker. When your goods leave the UK, we will electronically file the appropriate customs paperwork to ensure a speedy exit from the UK.
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How do we clear your goods through Overseas Customs?
Before you have left we will have taken an inventory / packing list of all your items. If you have packed any goods yourself you need to tell us what’s in the boxes and we will add this to your inventory. You can print off a packing list here. You will be given a copy of this and our overseas agents will also receive a copy of this inventory along with the appropriate shipping documents which show the vessel name and arrival port.
As the owner of the goods you will still need to complete and sign a declaration form telling Customs exactly what you have shipped and your legal status in your new country. The sooner this can be completed the better to ensure a quick transit through Customs.
If you are moving to Australia, New Zealand, USA or South Africa, you can complete the customs forms before you arrive which can help speed up the process.
In some countries, like the USA you can appoint another person to do this by using a Power of Attorney form.
If you are moving to Canada, you’ll need to wait until you arrive before you can complete the relevant customs forms.
See the links below for further links and information.
What are my responsibilities as the owner and shipper?
In most countries, not all, there are no duty or taxes applicable for personal effects that you have owned for 12 months or more. It is however important that you do not ship items which may be subject to duty or taxes or items which are prohibited. This includes any goods which customs might deem to be for commercial purposes or any items listed below.
If your goods are inspected and fall into any of these categories you may incur further costs for duty, taxes, storage and other fees charged by customs, indeed these items may also be confiscated and fines applied. 1st Move cannot be held responsible for these costs and they will need to be paid by you before customs will release your goods. If in doubt… Leave it out.
Please see our country specific guides to importing personal effects and household goods into your destination country.
- Australia Import Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
- Canada Import Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
- Cayman Islands Import Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
- Dubai Import Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
- Malta Import Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
- New Zealand Import Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
- Saudi Arabia Import Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
- Singapore Import Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
- South Africa Import Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
- USA Import Customs Guide for Personal Belongings
Customs import Information. Prohibited goods List.
Every country has varying rules for what you can and cannot bring into the country as a guideline the items below are prohibited in most countries and should not be shipped with your general household goods.
- Alcoholic beverages
- Animal skins (non-domesticated)
- Aerosols and pressurised vessels, whether full or empty.
- Articles of exceptional value (eg, works of art, antiques, precious stones, gold and silver)
- Corrosives, eg bleach or paint stripper.
- Dangerous goods/Hazardous materials)
- We do not recommend shipping food whether it’s tinned, dried or unopened
- Explosives, eg ammunition or fireworks.
- Firearms
- Furs
- Ivory and ivory products
- Live animals
- Money and negotiable items
- Perishable goods
- Plants
- Poisons, eg weed killer
- Pornographic materials
- Seeds
- Vegetable matter, composts, soil, straw or plants.
- Tobacco and tobacco products
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited goods USA
Prohibited goods for import into Canada
Prohibited imports list Australia
Prohibited imports list New Zealand
UAE (Dubai customs prohibited goods list)
Prohibited imports list Cayman Islands
Prohibited imports list South Africa
Prohibited imports list Singapore
Prohibited imports list Malta
Prohibited imports list Cyprus
Official Customs Websites
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Canada Border Services Agency
Australian Border Force
New Zealand Customs Service
South African Revenue Service
Singapore Customs
Dubai, UAE Customs
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Your life, carefully wrapped, beautifully packed, and protected for the journey ahead.
We are extremely proud of our unique packing process. We are the only international removals company in the UK that uses this tried and tested method to ship your treasured personal possessions overseas.
Visit our Facebook page to find a snapshot of each shipment captured as the final pallet is wrapped.
