DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

The C3 customs form is required to clear each shipment through customs. Customs is very strict about this form, and will only accept original forms with original ink signatures, i.e.; fax copies are not accepted.

•  Customs Form (Import Declaration), two fully completed originals need to be provided to Customs
•  C-3 (Household goods and personal effects for primary residence)
•  C-33 (Household goods and personal effects for secondary residence)
•  C426 (for diplomatic entry)
•  C104A/C104F/C384 (Motor Vehicles)
•  C-5 (Pets)
•  Valid Passport
•  Visa may be required
•  Work Permit
•  Detailed Inventory in English, two copies, valued, dated and signed by Customer
•  Keys for any locked items

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

•  Goods must arrive within twelve months after Customer or up to six months before customers arrival
•  Other regulations vary according to the following:
•  Customer moving principal home or returning to the United Kingdom:
• Used household goods and personal effects including tools of trade, can be duty-free if:
• Items have been in Customer's own use for at least six months before they are imported
• Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom
• Customer declares them on C-3
• Customer entering from outside the EC must have lived at least twelve months abroad and cannot sell, lend or hire out or otherwise dispose of the items in the United Kingdom within twelve months of importation, unless Customer obtains Customs authority first
• Customer who is setting up a secondary home in the United Kingdom
•  Customers living in another EC country used household goods
• Household goods and personal effects can be duty and tax free if:
• Customer either owns a secondary home in the United Kingdom or is renting one for at least twelve months
• Items have been for Customer's own use at least three months prior to importation and will not be sold within twelve months after importation
• Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom
• Customer declares them on C-33
•  Customers living outside the EC
• Used household goods and personal effects can be duty, but not VAT free if:
• Customer has lived for at least twelve months outside the EC
• Customer either owns a secondary home in the United Kingdom or is renting one for at least twenty-four months
• Customer has owned and used the items for at least six months before they are imported
• Customer can not sell, lend, hire out or otherwise dispose of the items in the United Kingdom within twelve months of importation, unless Customs authority is obtained first
• Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom
• Customer declares them on C-33
• Special regulations apply to students, newlyweds, visitors, inheritances, those shortly to marry, to goods originating from EC countries, personal antiques (not for resale), etc. Specific details in these cases must be obtained by Customer directly from Embassy/Consulate.

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

•  New items, if less than six months old (invoice required)
•  Alcohol, tobacco and perfume products dutiable and must be declared on Customs Form
•  (C-3 or C-33); PRESENCE OF THESE ITEMS CAN RESULT IN FULL INSPECTION OF ENTIRE SHIPMENT (SHOULD NOT BE SHIPPED WITH HOUSEHOLD GOODS.)
•  Plants will need a Phytosanitary Certificate

PROHIBITED ITEMS

•  Firearms
•  Valid Firearms Certificate issued by the police authorities
•  All handguns other than certain .22 caliber target pistols are now illegal in the United Kingdom. Importation is strictly prohibited
•  Ammunition, flick knives, explosives and fireworks
•  Drugs and narcotics
•  Counterfeit currency
•  Pornographic material and horror comics
•  Meat, poultry, fish and other animal products
•  Radio transmitters (CB radios, walkie-talkie, cordless telephones, etc.) not approved for use in the United Kingdom
•  Trees, plants, shrubs, seeds, bulbs, soil, potatoes and certain other vegetables and fruits
•  Most animals and all birds, whether alive or dead (i.e. stuffed) and certain articles derived from protected endangered species including fur skins, ivory, reptile leather and goods made from the endangered species
• Subject to many restrictions
• Import Permit obtainable and issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF)
• Proof of ownership
• Registration, certificates and licenses required and vary according to the type of firearm, the immigration status of the owner, the destination and port of entry
• If weapon was originally purchased or owned by Customer in the U.S. , proof of sale and date of sale required
• Animals or plants (e.g. furs, skins, ivory tusks, tortoise shells, wood carvings, etc.) subject to the U.S. Endangered Species Act

MOTOR VEHICLES

•  Automobiles are subject to import duties and taxes
•  Autos previously exported from the U.S. may be imported duty-free provided the customer can supply the export Ocean Bill of Lading and can prove that no modifications have been made to the auto since exporting from the U.S.
•  All automobiles imported must meet both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements--If required conversions are not performed in the country of origin, Customer must post a sizable bond (approximately 50% of the value of the auto) in order to have the necessary conversions performed in the U.S.
•  Information on emission standards can be obtained from the EPA
•  All costs for exam, testing or modifications of auto are payable by the Customer
•  Make, model and year of auto must be provided
•  Documents required:
• EPA Form 3520-1
• Purchase Invoice
• Title
• Copy of Drivers License (if applicable)

PETS

•  There are strict controls, restrictions, and prohibitions on the importation of animals, which is regulated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and U.S. Public Health Service
•  A minimum of seven days notification prior to arrival is required in order to make necessary arrangements
•  Import regulations for pets may include the following, depending on the country of origin:
• Original Certificate of rabies vaccination showing proof that the vaccination was administered more than 30 days prior to the flight, but not more than 180 days
• Health Certificate from a veterinarian must be issued within 15 to 10 days prior to animals departure
• Dogs and cats are not normally quarantined, but birds require 30 days quarantine and an Import Permit