Pre-import compliance checklist: are you ready to import into GB?

Use this audit checklist before your goods arrive at the GB frontier. Work through each item and confirm you can answer "yes" with documentary evidence. If you answer "no" to any item, fix it before shipment leaves the exporter.

UK-wide
Guide summary

Use this checklist before importing goods into Great Britain. Check you have an EORI number, correct commodity codes, and the right licences. Fix any issues before shipment to avoid delays and penalties.

  • Get a GB EORI number before importing
  • Use 10-digit commodity codes from the UK Trade Tariff
  • Check if your goods need a licence or certificate
  • Decide how to pay duty and VAT (deferment or at border)
  • Use Postponed VAT Accounting if VAT-registered
  • Keep all records for at least 4 years
  • Check Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) requirements
  • Ensure your customs agent is authorised
  • Verify the customs value method (usually transaction value)
  • Confirm correct tariff rate (standard or preferential)
On this page
UK-wide

Related guides in International Trade

Use this checklist before goods arrive at the GB frontier. Each item is a yes/no audit point. If you cannot answer "yes" with evidence, fix it before the shipment leaves the exporter — declaration delays cause storage charges, demurrage, and potential penalties.

How to use this checklist

Work through items 1 to 10 in order. Items 1 to 4 establish your declaration data. Items 5 to 7 set up duty and VAT payment. Items 8 to 10 confirm record-keeping, border controls, and licensing.

Pre-import audit items

  1. 1

    1. GB EORI number held

    Verify your business has an active EORI number with a GB prefix registered against your VAT or business identity in HMRC records. EORIs issued to other UK customs territories will not clear GB declarations.

  2. 2

    2. Commodity code determined

    Confirm a 10-digit commodity code from the UK Trade Tariff for every line item on the shipment. Keep the classification rationale on file. Wrong codes cause duty arrears and delay clearance.

  3. 3

    3. Tariff rate identified

    Identify the applicable UK Global Tariff rate, or the preferential rate under a free trade agreement if claiming preference. If claiming preference, hold the proof of origin (statement on origin, EUR1, or importer's knowledge evidence) before the declaration is lodged.

  4. 4

    4. Valuation method chosen

    Confirm the customs value calculation. Most imports use the transaction value (method 1). Identify any regulation 130 additions you must add to the price paid: royalties, commissions (other than buying commission), freight and insurance to the GB frontier, and "assists" (materials or tooling supplied free or at reduced cost to the seller).

  5. 5

    5. Customs intermediary appointed

    Decide whether you appoint a customs broker or freight forwarder under direct or indirect representation, or whether you have in-house Customs Declaration Service (CDS) access. If using an intermediary, the written authorisation must be in place before they file on your behalf.

  6. 6

    6. Deferment account or pay-on-declaration decided

    Either set up a duty deferment account (with the required customs comprehensive guarantee or guarantee waiver), or accept that duty and import VAT must be paid before goods are released. Most regular importers use a deferment account.

  7. 7

    7. Import VAT plan in place

    If you are VAT-registered, elect for postponed VAT accounting (PVA) on the declaration so import VAT goes onto your VAT return instead of being paid at the border. If not VAT-registered, plan to pay import VAT at the border and treat it as a cost.

  8. 8

    8. Record-keeping system meets four-year retention

    Confirm you can store declaration data, commercial invoices, transport documents, valuation evidence, and proof of origin for at least four years from the end of the calendar year of import, as required by regulation 18 of the Customs (Import Duty) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018.

  9. 9

    9. Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) requirements checked

    Check whether the goods need a sanitary or phytosanitary (SPS) health certificate, pre-notification on IPAFFS, or safety and security declarations. Requirements vary by product category and country of origin. Confirm the BTOM phase status for your commodity before shipment.

  10. 10

    10. Controlled goods licence held

    If the goods are controlled — including food and feed of animal origin, medicines, dual-use items, firearms, wildlife (CITES), or cultural property — confirm you hold the relevant import licence, authorisation, or permit and that it is valid on the date of import.

Supporting data

REGISTRATION STATUS VAT-registered

VAT-registered importers should use postponed VAT accounting

If you are VAT-registered, elect for postponed VAT accounting (PVA) on each import declaration. Import VAT is then declared and recovered on the same VAT return — there is no cash outflow at the border. Non-VAT-registered importers must pay import VAT at the border and cannot reclaim it.

Penalty risk

Consequences of arriving unprepared

Penalty:
<p>An importer without these items in place faces clearance delays and storage charges while the declaration is fixed, civil penalties under Schedule 1 of the Customs (Import Duty) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 of up to £2,500 per breach for inaccurate or late declarations, and duty arrears plus interest if the wrong commodity code, value, or origin claim is used. Repeated failures can lead to loss of deferment privileges.</p>

If you answered "no" to any item

Stop and resolve the gap before goods leave the exporter. Declarations cannot be corrected at the frontier without delay and cost. Contact your customs intermediary or HMRC's imports and exports helpline for support.

Apply for an EORI number (opens in a new tab)
Look up commodity codes on the UK Trade Tariff (opens in a new tab)

Official guidance

Authoritative GOV.UK sources for pre-import compliance.