UK Customs Clearance

Submitting UK Customs Clearances, particularly import and special procedures can be very complex. Our agents are highly skilled and undergo intense training to be able to submit clearances to our high standards.

A customs clearance consists of a large form with 76 boxes (or data elements). For each entry, our agents must navigate these elements and, based on the information provided, input the correct data.

Beyond the entry into CDS (customs system), our agents must engage with HMRC, Border Force and the Port Authority on your behalf.

The two main reasons you would enlist the support of a customs agent are:

1. Customs Brokers or rather, agents are highly skilled individuals that have the experience and expertise to navigate HMRC’s systems. Thus mitigating the risk of common errors and helping manage challenging situations.
2. In order to submit a customs entry, you need systems, port badges and internal conversion documents, templates and models.

Large enterprise’s with internal international trade resources as well as small sole traders outsource this part of international trade shipping to an agent as it allows them to focus more on their business, knowing their clearances are being taken care of by experts.

• Price: Competitively priced.
• Experience and Knowledge.
• Speed: 4-hour SLA
• Systems: We use state of the art document and data systems to improve accuracy.

Our team have been completing customs declarations since the 1970’s and our principles and ethos of our service remain the same – We aim to clear goods accurately, first time, every time. 

Yes. We can submit IPAFFS Notifications for you for plant, animal/animal-by-product or composite goods. We pre-approve traders for this service to manage risk. Please plan ahead if you require IPAFFS notification services.

Yes. Typically a haulier will issue a GMR however we have the facilities to issue them for you.

Yes. We can issue Transit Declarations (T1) in as little as 1 hour for existing customers and 24 hours for new customers.

Read more about our transit declaration service.

• By truck, using GVMS: Pre-lodge declaration minimum of 4 hours before arrival. 
• By sea, shipping Containers: Typically containers are inventory linked and so you’ll need a customs agent to clear and release them.
• By air: Preferably on or before arrival as costs quickly mount up for uncleared air freight.

We have partners in Germany, Poland and France that can facilitate customs clearance however, your trade partner in the EU will require an EU EORI and must be willing to sign a document to provide authorisation.

This depends on volume and processes (if you are leveraging IPR or OPR) Rates are significantly lower for freight forwarding customers. Get in touch for a quick, no-obligation quote.

In order for us to submit a UK Customs Clearance on your behalf, you must have a GB EORI number and sign a Letter of Authorisation. This is taken care of in the onboarding process.

Our service level is 4 hours. We’ll try to do it quicker, if we can.

Yes. Containers tend to be “inventory linked”. This means that the container requires “claiming”. A processes of linking a declaration to the container (unit). This does not require anything more from you, nor any additional costs however, we tend to issue the customs documents just before or on arrival.

Our home port is Grangemouth Port. Dundee, Montrose and Perth however we mostly clear goods at Felixstowe, Harwich and Dover these days. We cover all UK ports.

Yes. In order for us to do so, please authorise Kinnes Shipping to use your deferment account by logging into the Government Gateway.

Yes. For new clients, we ask that you enquire at least 7 days before your first Inward Processing shipment is due in. If you are authorised for IP, you must provide your IPO number and authorise Kinnes to use your deferment account.

Yes. Goods from the EU and EEA make up a large chunk of our existing clearances

Yes. We regularly clear goods from India. 

Yes. We regularly clear goods from China.