Import licenses are government-issued permits or authorisations required for people or companies to import particular items or commodities into the nation. These licenses are part of the UK’s commerce rules and are used to manage and management the influx of sure items, usually for causes associated to public well being, security, nationwide safety, or financial safety.
The method could contain assembly particular standards, offering documentation, and paying charges. Importers usually want to use for these licenses properly prematurely of the supposed importation.
Failure to acquire a required import license can lead to authorized penalties and the rejection or confiscation of imported items on the border.
Do I would like an import licence for the UK?
Deciding whether or not you want an import licence to import items into the UK is dependent upon what commodity you’re importing. Your first step is to determine the customs HS code which ought to be obtainable out of your provider/producer that you’re buying the products from.
Associated: The important information to commodity codes and HS classes
When importing items into the UK, there may be a whole lot of documentation concerned. Though a overwhelming majority of merchandise do not want an import licence, a couple of do.
Merchandise do usually want licenses to “export” them earlier than they’re allowed to depart their nation of origin – however, except you’re shopping for on EXW phrases, the export licence value shouldn’t be your accountability.
Who wants an import licence?
The factor to recollect about import licences is {that a} licence is a approach for the Authorities to cap and monitor imports. Most items can be unaffected, however sure items like firearms and military-use items would require a licence. Items that require a licence are the identical; objects that the Authorities wouldn’t need a limiteless provide of saturating the market.
An instance of some items you want an import licence for are under:
- Army items
- Paramilitary items
- Twin-use know-how
- Art work
- Crops
- Animals
- Excessive threat foodstuffs
- Medicines
- Most chemical substances
- Waste
How do I get an import licence?
You’ll be able to apply for an import licence by way of the Division for Worldwide Commerce right here. Electronic mail enquiries.ilb@commerce.gov.uk for recommendation on the import controls ILB is liable for. Learn “Import items into the UK: step-by-step” on the Authorities web site right here for data on licences and certificates.
>See additionally: The way to import from the EU
What paperwork do I would like for a licence?
In relation to importing, the certification that’s wanted shouldn’t be the identical throughout the board. There are, nevertheless, sure paperwork that every one importers might want to get their items into the nation, no matter what these items truly are, specifically a industrial bill and packing checklist. Thereafter it is best to discover out the HS code of your commodity and your self or your freight forwarder can test the HM Customs & Excise tariff to see if that HS code requires extra documentation equivalent to certificates of origin, take a look at certificates, materials security knowledge sheets and so forth.
Paula Bellamy is managing director of freight specialists OL UK
Additional assets
Import information: three important ideas and all the pieces you want to know
Commerce Tariff: lookup commodity codes, responsibility and VAT charges
