Export, import and customs documents

Read the latest guidance to find out how the new rules from 1 January 2021 affect your business and actions you should take to ensure operations continue smoothly after Brexit. 

Import goods into the UK: step by step guide on GOV.UK

Export goods from the UK: step by step guide on GOV.UK

HMRC Trader Checklist - use this checklist to help you prepare to move goods between Great Britain and Europe

Guidance on Export Health Certificates (EHC)

Northern Ireland Protocol

The Northern Ireland Protocol has come into force and there are changes to the way goods move between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Take action to ensure your business can continue to operate now that these changes have been made. 

UK Government guidance on moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021

Further advice and guidance on Northern Ireland 

Where can I find help with making declarations?

You don’t have to deal with customs on your own. If your business doesn’t have the right resources to make customs declarations, you can hire someone to deal with this for you: 

• Appoint someone to deal with customs on your behalf 
• You can view a list of customs agents and fast parcel operators who can help with submitting customs declarations 
• The British International Freight Association (BIFA) also has a search function to help find the appropriate customs agent
• Find a list of customs training providers which will help you submit customs declarations 
• Find a list of software developers to get help with Customs Declaration Service and Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) declarations 
• Find out more about how to meet customs requirements fast and efficiently after the UK leaves the EU through customs declaration training offered through your local Chamber of Commerce
• Further customs information can be accessed via the following chambers of commerce: Aberdeen and Grampian, Ayrshire, Dundee & Angus, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Renfrewshire 
• Find out more about customs declaration completion requirements when using the CHIEF and Customs Declaration Service (CDS) trade tariffs to import and export goods to and from Great Britain after the end of the transition period
• DHL and the Post Office have both provided a list of prohibited and restricted items on their websites which you can check before sending items to ensure your parcels are delivered without delay

Imports and Exports: general queries 

You can get in touch with HMRC via phone, webchat or contact form for any import and export queries you may have. The phone lines and webchat services are open Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm, and closed bank holidays and weekends.  

HMRC videos

There's lots of useful content on the HMRC YouTube channel, including videos on the below topics:

• Getting someone to deal with customs for you - how freight forwarders can help 
• How can a customs intermediary help me?
• What is customs?
• What do you need to know to bring goods into the UK?
• What do you need to know to send goods out of the UK?
• What are controlled goods?
• What are commodity codes?

Import and export documentation

Making sure you have the correct documentation is an essential part of international trade.

Information on some common types of internal trade documentation can be found on the GOV.UK website.

If you are unsure about which documents you need to provide or how to complete them, you can get advice from your local Chamber of Commerce. Scottish Enterprise is working with the eight Chambers of Commerce in Scotland who are licensed by HM Government and HMRC to issue export and import-related documentation and services. Providing expert advice and support, they can answer your questions on export and customs documentation, changes to documentation systems and associated process changes brought about by Brexit.  
  
This service is available to all companies, not just members of the Chambers. To access this support, just call your nearest Chamber. 

The eight licensed Chambers are: Aberdeen and Grampian, Ayrshire, Dundee , Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, Inverness and Renfrewshire.