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Quick import compliance check

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Quick import compliance check

8-minute compliance verification for experienced GB importers — spot-check declarations, valuation, and historic exposure

Growing Updated 3 November 2026

For experienced GB importers

You already have imports moving through the Customs Declaration Service. Walk three checkpoints to confirm your set-up holds up, your valuation is right, and any historic errors are put right before HMRC finds them.

Verify your set-up

Confirm your EORI, your Customs Declaration Service subscription, your deferment account and your agent's authority are still live and cover the goods you import.

What to have in place before goods arrive

An EORI number that starts with GB: apply to HMRC online. You usually get it straight away. A commodity code for every line on the shipment: find it in the Trade Tariff tool, which also shows the duty rate and whether you need a licence. If you claim a lower duty rate under a UK trade agreement: valid proof of origin. The Trade Tariff tool shows which types of proof you can use for your goods. A customs value for every line: usually the price paid, plus the costs of transport, insurance, loading and handling to the UK border, selling commission and any assists you supplied to the seller. Someone to make your declarations, or your own access to the Customs Declaration Service: a customs agent, freight forwarder or express operator established in the UK. Agree whether they act as your direct representative, where you alone are liable for the duty, or as your indirect representative, where you are both liable. If you import regularly: a duty deferment account from HMRC. Most traders do not need a financial guarantee for one. If you are VAT-registered: postponed VAT accounting on your declarations. Tell your agent in writing if you want them to use it. If you import live animals, animal products, high-risk food or feed not of animal origin, or medium or high-risk plants: a notification in IPAFFS before the goods arrive. If the goods are controlled: an import licence from the issuing body, such as the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade's import licensing service. Records of commercial invoices and customs paperwork, including your import VAT certificate (C79): keep them yourself.

Spot-check your valuation

Re-check recent declarations against the customs valuation methods reference

Correct any errors

Correct historic errors via the right disclosure route before HMRC finds them

Fix a customs declaration problem

If your spot-check shows a repeated error rather than a one-off, work through the fix step by step.

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