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Essential documents for UK export customs and worldwide import requirements. Avoid costly delays with our verified checklist used by BAR certified movers.
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UK export customs rarely charges duties on personal effects, but incomplete documentation causes shipment holds at Southampton, Felixstowe and London Gateway ports. These delays cascade: missed vessel sailings, storage fees, and arrival after your new home is ready.
This checklist covers both UK export requirements AND destination import rules. We've verified every item with BAR Overseas members who handle 400+ UK international moves monthly. Follow this exactly and your shipment clears customs without delays.
Important: Your international mover provides customs brokerage as part of their service. You prepare the personal documents (passport, inventory, residency proof). They handle the commercial paperwork (export declarations, bills of lading).
UK export customs focuses on verifying you lived in the UK and owned items before shipment. Unlike imports, UK exports rarely charge duties on personal effects. But incomplete paperwork causes port holds.
While UK export is straightforward, destination import rules vary significantly. Your mover handles submission, but you must provide these documents 10 days before shipment arrival.
Key requirement: Proof you lived outside EU for 12+ months OR are EU citizen returning home.
Customs timeline: Same day clearance if documents complete. No duties/VAT on used personal effects.
Critical tip: Post-Brexit, UK is treated as third country. You MUST prove 12+ months UK residence to qualify for duty-free import.
Key requirement: Valid US visa/residence permit issued within last 6 months.
Customs timeline: 3 to 5 business days at US port (New York, Los Angeles, Houston).
Critical tip: Alcohol and tobacco have strict limits (1 litre alcohol, 200 cigarettes). Declare everything honestly - US Customs inspects 15% of shipments.
Key requirement: Valid Canadian work permit, study permit or PR confirmation.
Customs timeline: 2 to 4 business days at Canadian port (Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto).
Critical tip: Canada requires separate declaration for firearms, plants, and food items. Declare nothing in these categories unless you have permits.
Key requirement: Valid Australian visa with minimum 12 month validity.
Customs timeline: 7 to 10 business days including biosecurity inspection.
Critical tip: Australia has strict biosecurity rules. Declare ALL food, plant material, wooden items. Undeclared items result in shipment rejection and £2,000+ penalties.
Key requirement: Valid UAE residence visa.
Customs timeline: 2 to 4 business days at Jebel Ali port.
Critical tip: UAE prohibits all alcohol, pork products, and religious materials contrary to Islamic principles. Do not pack these items - detection results in shipment rejection.
Key requirement: Valid work visa/permit for destination country.
Customs timeline: Singapore 2-3 days, Japan 5-7 days, Hong Kong 1-2 days.
Critical tip: Singapore charges 9% GST unless you qualify for exemption (valid work pass + items owned 3+ months). Japan requires detailed electronics declaration. Hong Kong is most straightforward.
These items cause 78% of customs rejections. Pack them separately or dispose of them before your move.
These timelines assume COMPLETE documentation. Incomplete paperwork adds 5 to 15 business days.
| Destination Region | UK Export Clearance | Sea Freight Transit | Destination Import Clearance | Total Door-to-Door |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | 1-2 days | 3-6 days | Same day | 5-9 days |
| USA East Coast | 2-3 days | 14-18 days | 3-5 days | 21-28 days |
| USA West Coast | 2-3 days | 30-35 days | 3-5 days | 37-45 days |
| Canada | 2-3 days | 16-22 days | 2-4 days | 22-30 days |
| Australia | 2-3 days | 35-42 days | 7-10 days | 46-57 days |
| UAE | 2-3 days | 28-35 days | 2-4 days | 34-44 days |
| Singapore | 2-3 days | 32-40 days | 2-3 days | 38-48 days |
The mistake: Writing "kitchen items" or "bedroom stuff" instead of specific counts.
The consequence: UK customs holds shipment for clarification. Average delay: 4 business days. Storage fees: £75-150/day at port.
The fix: List every category with counts and values. Example: "12 dinner plates £60", "8 wine glasses £40", "cutlery set £35".
The mistake: Providing only 6 months of UK bills when destination requires 12 months proof.
The consequence: Destination customs denies duty-free entry. You pay 15-25% duties on total shipment value.
The fix: Gather 15 months of bills (council tax, utilities, bank statements) before contacting movers. Keep digital copies.
The mistake: Waiting until shipment departure to provide passport copies and inventory.
The consequence: Mover cannot submit export declaration on time. Shipment misses vessel sailing. Next sailing: 7-14 days later.
The fix: Provide all personal documents to your mover 10 business days before pack date.
The mistake: Packing alcohol, medications, or food without declaration.
The consequence: Destination customs seizes items. Shipment held until items destroyed. Average delay: 8 business days.
The fix: Declare EVERYTHING on your inventory list. Better to pay small duty than face seizure and delays.
The mistake: Thinking your mover prepares your personal documents (passport copies, bills, inventory).
The consequence: Mover waits for your documents, misses export declaration deadline, shipment delayed.
The fix: You prepare personal documents. Mover handles commercial paperwork. Know your responsibilities upfront.
For UK export customs you need a detailed inventory list with values, proof of UK residency (12+ months of utility bills or council tax statements), passport copy, destination address confirmation, and bill of lading from your mover. Unlike imports, UK exports rarely require duties on personal effects but proper documentation prevents shipment holds at UK ports like Southampton and Felixstowe.
Begin preparing customs documents 6 to 8 weeks before your move date. Allow 2 to 3 business days for UK export customs processing after your mover submits the declaration. Destination country import clearance takes additional time: EU (same day), USA (3-5 days), Australia (7-10 days including biosecurity), UAE (2-4 days). Starting early prevents last-minute delays that could cause missed vessel sailings.
Yes, but your international mover should include licensed customs brokerage as part of their service. You should not need to hire a separate broker. Reputable movers hold BAR Overseas membership which requires proper customs brokerage arrangements. Your mover's broker handles UK export declaration and destination import clearance. You only need to provide personal documents (passport, inventory, residency proof).
Most countries offer duty-free entry for used household goods if you meet three conditions: (1) hold valid residence visa/permit for destination country, (2) owned items for minimum 6-12 months before shipment, and (3) ship goods within 6 months of visa issuance or arrival date. Requirements vary by country – USA requires 12 months ownership, EU requires 12 months UK residence proof, Australia requires 12 month visa validity. Your mover verifies eligibility during consultation.
Incomplete documents cause shipment holds at ports. UK export holds cost £75-150 per day in storage fees. Missed vessel sailings add 7-14 days transit time. Destination import holds can trigger duty charges even if you qualified for exemption. Most delays resolve within 3-5 business days once documents are corrected, but peak season (June-August) extends resolution to 7-10 days due to port congestion.
We match you with BAR Overseas certified movers who specialise in customs documentation for your destination country.