Whether you have a full shipping container or a single pallet via LCL (less than container load) arriving into Southampton, you will need to arrange for Southampton customs clearance.
Southampton customs clearance will typically be completed by a UK based freight forwarder, such as Mercator. We have direct links with the major ports, and complete our own customs clearance declarations at Southampton for our clients on a direct basis. Our direct links and inhouse processing means that we can provide our clients with a seamless and speedy service when it comes to Southampton customs clearance.
In 2024 Mercator was appointed as an HMRC approved Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) agent. This accreditation emphasises our commitment to compliance and accuracy when it comes to customs clearance. Being an AEO agent requires us to uphold high standards in tax and customs compliance, follow internal processes and procedures, maintain accurate records, and ensure accuracy. When you work with an AEO accredited company, you can be safe in the knowledge that you are working with an entity which is committed to high standards and has been thoroughly inspected and approved by HMRC.
Once you appoint Mercator to complete your Southampton customs clearance, we will require you to complete some simple onboarding paperwork to set you up on our system, alongside sharing the commercial documents for the import shipment: bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin (if applicable), commodity codes and your EORI/VAT number for your company.
Import VAT and duty might be payable depending upon the commodity code for the goods. You can look the commodity code up on HMRC’s trade tariff, which will give you an indication of levels of VAT and duty depending on the origin of the goods. Import VAT can either be paid up front to HMRC (either directly, or via Mercator if preferred) or accounted for on your company’s periodic VAT return (PVA – postponed VAT accounting). Unless you have your own duty deferment account, import duty will need to be paid for upfront, again either directly or via Mercator.
In cases where you have an incoterm which does not include delivery to door, Mercator’s import team can handle delivery to your door by calling on our preferred hauliers based in Southampton. If you have incoterm DAP agreed, Mercator can act as the customs clearance agent.
Get in touch with our team to request a quote for Southampton customs clearance, either with or without delivery to door. You can get in touch by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and someone will be in touch.
The incoterm that you agree with your supplier in India (otherwise known as “the shipper”) will depend upon whether you are importing tiles from India in a full shipping container (FCL) or are planning to ship a less than container load (LCL) for shipping from India.
For LCL it is recommended that you agree either a FOB or EXW term. If you are shipping FCL then you could utilise EXW, FOB, DAP or anything in between.
FOB (free on board) means that the shipper is responsible for the risk and arranging the goods to be delivered to a pre-agreed ship at a particular port. For FOB, the shipper also takes care of the export customs at origin. As the UK importer, you will be able to appoint your UK based freight forwarder to handle the sea freight, UK customs clearance and delivery to your door in the UK.
EXW (ex works) means you, as the UK importer, are responsible for the entire journey from the shipper’s door in India (plus export declaration in India) to your own door in the UK (plus UK import customs clearance).
DAP (delivered at place) means the shipper in India is responsible for getting the shipment to an agreed destination in the UK, and you (the UK importer) will arrange the customs clearance and cover any UK import taxes and duties.
There are weekly direct sea freight sailings from the major ports in India to the major ports in the UK. The exact transit times port to port will vary, but typically sea freight shipping from India to the UK takes between 17 to 21 days (providing there are no unusual circumstances affecting world trade).
Due to weight limits for inland haulage, importing tiles from India will typically be arranged in 20’ shipping containers. Maximum weight limits on roads differs across the globe, so ensure the shipper is aware of restrictions on the UK roads and goods are loaded at origin accordingly.
Once your import consignment of tiles from India has arrived in the UK, it will need to be cleared through customs using a customs broker. Mercator has direct links to the major UK sea freight ports allowing us to complete timely customs clearances. This, teamed with our recently awarded AEO status, makes us a great partner to ensure your customs controls are compliant and streamlined.
India is named in the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) which allows the ability to claim preferential tariff rates on certain goods. More details can be found on the UK trade tariff by selecting the commodity code that is applicable to your goods. If your goods qualify for preferential duty rates, our team will ensure that your documentation provided to us is compliant and up to date with current HMRC requirements.
If you are looking for a reputable freight forwarder to handle your imports from India, whether you have a full or part container load, please get in touch with our import team who will be able to assist you with a quote. You can contact our team by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and someone will be in touch.
The amount of import VAT and duty payable upon clearance into the UK is dependent on three factors. Firstly the percentage of import VAT and/or duty is dictated by the commodity code (sometimes also known as a tariff code) that the goods are being declared to UK Customs as.
The percentage for import duty is applied to the amount for freight, insurance (if any) and the value of the goods. The percentage for import VAT is applied to the CIF value, plus the duty amount, and a minimal amount added as an adjustment (known as a VAT adjustment charge). This calculation is dictated by HMRC. If you are feeling lost, do not worry, your customs clearance agent will do all the sums for you.
Generally, your supplier overseas will provide you with the tariff code for your import goods. If it is not on the commercial invoice, then you can ask them to provide it. Alternatively you can classify the goods using HMRC’s tariff.
This can also be checked on HMRC’s online tariff, simply enter the commodity code and the country that you are importing from. If there are special tariffs applicable due to a trade deal with that country (such as the UK-Australia and New Zealand trade deal), then the online tariff will reflect this.
If you are looking for a UK based customs clearance agent to handle a one-off clearance, or regular customs clearances for your company, then contact our import department. We will be glad to provide you with a quote for customs clearance, and onward delivery if required. Mercator has been in business for over 30 years, we have badges at the major ports which means we handle the clearances in house. Our import department are furnished with the latest software, up to date knowledge and relevant experience to handle customs clearances efficiently and accurately on behalf of our customers.
You can contact our import department by emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk, calling (+44) 02392 756 575 (we are here 9-5 Monday-Friday), or complete the form below and someone will be in touch.
Freight forwarder Mercator has an experienced and professional team with the ability to complete the UK customs clearance of most cargoes at the majority of UK sea freight ports and airports.
Our team has many years of experience of handling UK imports and completing customs clearance entries. Our import team will be able to assist with VAT and duty calculations and guide you with any documents that may be required for import into the UK.
UK import customs clearance will generally be the responsibility of the consignee in the UK. There are a few situations where the shipper at origin will be responsible, this is all dependant upon which Incoterm you have agreed with the shipper (the company you are purchasing the goods from). You can read more about INCOTERMS here.
As a UK importer, you will need an EORI number, which usually links to your VAT number (if you have one). Apply for an EORI number here.
Our team work closely with shipping companies, dock operators, warehouses and hauliers on a daily basis, so we have strong connections to handle customs clearance and the onward journey to door in an efficient manner.
We have direct links with HMRC at Felixstowe, Southampton, Liverpool and London Gateway to name a few. This gives us the ability to efficiently customs clear part and full loads arriving via sea freight into the UK.
We handle HMRC VAT and duty payments on a daily basis for our customers. We manage the payments highly effectively in order to ensure a fast turnaround and therefore swift release by UK Customs.
UK customs clearance is an important part of the shipping process. Make sure you choose a reputable customs clearance expert such as Mercator who will be able to handle the process efficiently for you. To discuss your UK customs clearance requirements, contact our team by calling +44 2392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk, or by filling in the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
Mercator is a UK based customs clearance agent. We deal with clearing goods through UK customs on a daily basis. Our clearance services cover all UK ports, air and sea, including customs clearance at Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway, and airport customs clearance at Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester.
Our Import Team specialise in all aspects of UK import shipping. We can handle all shipping services you require. For example, if you need an agent to handle the pick-up of your goods in the USA, sea freight to the UK, customs clearance at the UK port and onward delivery to your door, we can help. Likewise if you just need clearance at the UK port because the freight aspect is covered with a buying term you have agreed with your supplier, we can help.
Ideally, it is best to talk to a UK customs clearance agent even before you have bought your goods, as sometimes there are certain restrictions, or particularly heavy duty charges on some types of goods. An example is ceramic tiles from China, there is a very steep ‘anti-dumping’ duty designed to “allow the EC to take action against goods that are sold at less than their normal value”. So it’s a good idea to check you know there will be no nasty surprises.
Our import customs clearance team can help you calculate any VAT & duty that is payable upon arrival in the UK. The amount of import VAT & duty depends on the nature of the goods and their value on the commercial invoice. Most of our customers appoint us to handle their VAT & duty payments to HMRC, to allow swift clearance through customs, avoiding any high charges associated with delays.
In short, we can hold your hand through the whole process of UK importing and UK customs clearance, advising all costs and when they are payable so that you know what to pay and when.
Whether your shipment is yet to leave its destination, it is on the water, or has already arrived in the UK, our team are ready to get your customs clearance assignment started when you are. So give us a call to discuss your customs clearance requirements +44 2392 756 575 or email us on sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk, or please feel free to complete the form below and we’ll be in touch.
10, St George’s Business Centre,
St Georges Square,
Portsmouth, PO1 3EZ, UK
Mercator is a family-run, UK based independent freight forwarder, offering highly effective sea, road and air freight services around the world.
