FAQs & Resources

Inward Processing Relief (IPR) is a customs regime which allows goods to be imported into the UK for processing without paying Customs Duty and VAT on the initial movement.

Generally, personal effects and vehicles are exempt if not being moved under transport contract. You do not need an ENS declaration for goods moved under an ATA or CPD Carnet unless they are being moved under a transport contract.

A transport contract, or contract of carriage, is an agreement between a carrier and shipper or passenger, setting out each party’s duties and rights. This can be a verbal or written agreement.

Yes, you can. ChannelPorts have extensive experience in building an automatic data exchange between CustomsPro and our clients’ ERP, WM, or other management systems. Our consultants will help you to set up a plan to ensure the best possible result. Our experience shows that automation becomes highly beneficial from about 100 declarations per month. If you’d like to find out more about automation, call us on 01304 203105 or send an e-mail to enquiries@channelports.co.uk

The ENS requirements apply to both accompanied and unaccompanied goods, but the responsibility for submission may differ (e.g., hauliers for accompanied vehicles, ferry operators for unaccompanied trailers).

While there are various platforms available, CustomsPro ENS is a recommended solution that simplifies the ENS submission process, ensuring fast, accurate, and compliant declarations.

Yes, ChannelPorts provides on-site assistance during inspection at Stop24. When checks are carried out Sevinton BCP (Border Control Post) we will be on-hand to provide 24/7 telephone support. When validating the IPAFFS pre-notification, we will be informed whether any control is required and thus anticipate any necessary assistance.

Outward Processing allows traders to temporarily export goods from the UK for processing or repair in an EU country or any other country in the rest of the world. The process enables the trader to claim full OR partial duty relief when the goods are re-imported to the United Kingdom.

CustomsPro covers all UK Ro/Ro ports. For other requirements we are able to support these via ChannelPorts Bureau Service.

PVA allows businesses to declare and recover import VAT on their VAT returns rather than having to pay at the time of import.

Guidance on Postponed VAT Accounting

The words “provenance” and “origin” of goods are often used interchangeably. Nevertheless, they have different meanings. Particularly in the world of customs matters. “Provenance” relates to the customs status of the goods. Are they Union goods (goods that are produced in the EU, or that have already been imported from a non-EU country) or non-Union goods (goods from non-EU countries)? “Origin” refers to where a product is manufactured, produced or grown.

“RoRo” “is an abbreviation of Roll On – Roll Off, a type of ship adapted to transport cargo on wheels.
The cargo enters (rolls on) onto the ship and leaves it (rolls off) on wheels, and is not loaded using e.g. cranes or terminal equipment. In the context of customs clearance, this means that although goods enter the UK on board a ship, they are treated as road transport in “RoRo” ports.

A T2L is a document that is used to prove the status of goods going to special territories of the EU such as Canary Islands.

Please use our contact form if you have any questions and we will contact you at your preferred time.

The requirement to submit S&S security declarations from the EU is waived for all goods until 31 January 2025. No application is required.

From 31 January certain goods will not require an entry summary declaration. See the below links for the list of goods:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-an-entry-summary-declaration#goods-that-do-notneed-an-entry-summary-declaration:~:text=Vatican%20City%20State-
Goods%20that%20do%20not%20need%20an%20entry%20summary%20declaration-
You%20do%20not

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2015/2446/article/104

PVA (Postponed VAT Accounting) is the default method of paying for VAT on CustomsPro.  Alternatively, you can select to use your own Duty Deferment Account. If you do not hold a Duty Deferment Account, ChannelPorts can offer a duty deposit facility whereby you lodge a deposit to cover the anticipated amount of debt due and we will draw down from this deposit in order to settle the duty on your or your client’s behalf, utilising ChannelPorts’ Duty Deferment Account.  As a CustomsPro customer you will have full visibility of your duty deposit via the Accounting facility on CustomsPro.

Commodity codes can be found in the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, in short, Harmonized System – HS. They specify exactly the type of goods being transported. Using the appropriate code makes it easier to assign the correct Customs tariff to the goods. You can check the codes on the UK government website.

Incoterms are the terms and conditions of delivery of goods between buyer and seller. They describe all obligations, risks and costs involved in a transaction. Incoterms are known and accepted worldwide. They reduce the risk of misunderstandings between all who are involved in the logistics process, because it is clear in advance who is responsible for what. It’s no coincidence Incoterms have to be included on your commercial invoice. The most common Incoterms are : EXW (Ex-Works), DAP (Delivered at Place) and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid).