Frequently Asked Questions

My family has sent me a gift from Africa. Will I have to pay any taxes? -->>

I am a new importer. Can I still bring imports into the UK? -->>

I think I have an EORI number. How can I check it is valid? -->>

Why do I have to contact the airline every time my shipment comes to inform them of who my agent is? -->>

I have personal effects coming into the UK. How do I get my goods cleared through customs? -->>

I want to send some goods abroad by air what do I have to do? -->>

I want to know what the duty rate is for my goods? -->>

How can I find out the handling agent to contact from my Airway Bill number? -->>

Answers

My family has sent me a gift from Africa. Will I have to pay any taxes?

As long as the value of the gift is under £35 then there will no duty or VAT liability. To undertake the clearance of gifts we would require a letter stating what the gift is and the value. If the value is over £35 but under £290 then there is a flat duty rate of 3%.

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I am a new importer. Can I still bring imports into the UK?

If you have never imported into the UK or do not have a valid EORI, you must apply for an Economic Operator Registrations and Identification (EORI) number.

There a two ways to receive your EORI number from HMRC:

• Complete the appropriate C220 form (MS Word form from HMRC)
  use this C220 if you have a VAT number: C220 for VAT registered companies
  use this C220 if you are not VAT registered: C220 for non-VAT registered clients
  
  Then email your completed C220 form to turn@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.
  
  Remember if you are not VAT registered you will need to send a scanned copy of your airway bill, supplier invoice and a copy of your passport's identification page.
  
  
• Alternatively contact us and we can apply for the EORI number on your behalf for a small fee.

The process normally takes 48 hours and you should be contacting by the team once your application is processed.

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I think I have an EORI number. How can I check it is valid?

It is important to have a valid EORI number from HMRC in order to expite any imports. Use this online tool to check that your EORI is valid.

If it is not then you can apply for an Economic Operator Registrations and Identification (EORI) number using the C220 forms here.

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Why do I have to contact the airline every time my shipment comes to inform them of who my agent is?

If you wish to avoid having to fax the handling agents who act on behalf of the airline then you need to ensure your exporter puts our details on the airway bill in the consignee box.

After your company name they should write C/O Airport Cargo Ltd, Badge Code DRA.

In this way the handling agents know who your agents are and should automatically notify us of the consignment thus reducing delay in clearing the cargo.

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I have personal effects coming into the UK. How do I get my goods cleared through customs?

Firstly you need to complete a C3 form which you can download from www.hmrc.gov.uk.

This is your declaration to customs that the goods are for your own personal use.

Once completed forward onto us and we will arrange clearance on your behalf.

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I want to send some goods abroad by air what do I have to do?

Firstly you need to decide what service you want.

Door to Door (i.e. we pick up from an address in UK and deliver to an address in the country of your choice). If this option is used we would need to know the full address including postcode, where applicable, of the address in UK and the one abroad.

Airport to Airport - you deliver to us and the person you are sending the goods to arranges clearance at their local airport. We would need to know which airport you prefer.

Or a mix of the above Door to Airport or Airport to Door.

We would also need the following information to work out the cost:

• weight of the packaged item
  
  
• the dimensions (length, width and height in centimetres)
  
  
• how many boxes you want to send
  
  

Once this is given we can confirm a quote and then you can decide if it is of any use.
Please send your request to quote@airportcargoltd.co.uk

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I want to know what the duty rate is for my goods?

Firstly you need to classify your goods by going onto the following link
www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/tariff

If you scroll down and enter a description of your goods you should get a search result which lists chapter, heading and commodity descriptions.

Click the commodity description that fits with the goods you are bringing in and it should show you the duty rate.

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How can I find out the handling agent to contact from my Airway Bill number?

If you are using one of our Heathrow based agents, you can find out their contact details using our simple lookup page.

Find your AWB number - the first 3 numbers relate to the handling agent.

Visit the online lookup page.

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