Guide
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.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
Consequences of arriving unprepared
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.