The land of afternoon tea, rolling countryside and strict rules regarding the postage of Christmas crackers (they are classed as 'explosive and flammable substances'). The ecommerce industry has been driving much of the retail sales growth in the UK in recent years, with around 80% of the UK population buying online at least once every year. With varied consumer confidence levels, shoppers are increasingly looking outside of the EU for suppliers to fulfil their retail needs.
Secureship Offers Cheap Shipping Rates to the U.K.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Great Britain through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to the United Kingdom. Whether you are a business or sending a personal package, you can
easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to England
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Apr 3, 2023
8:49 am
Bath, GB
Delivered
Apr 2, 2023
7:18 am
Cambridge, GB
In transit
Apr 1, 2023
9:03 pm
Liverpool, GB
International Clearance
Apr 1, 2023
8:14 am
London, GB
In transit
Apr 1, 2023
12:17 am
Memphis, TN, US
In transit
Mar 31, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Great Britain before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Some document types are restricted and should be indicated on the commercial invoice. Duties and taxes are payable if you exceed the restrictions.
Document Type
Restriction
Business cards
Up to 15
Cheques
Must be personalised
Exam papers
Up to 20 kg in weight
Greetings cards and invitations
Must be personalised. Blanks are not permitted.
Passports
The description on the package must clearly state "passports". Customs inspections and delays are likely.
Stationery
Must be personalized
Visa applications
Must be completed. Blank applications are not permitted
See here for a complete list of restrictions on documents.
Shipping Gifts
Gifts that are valued at £39 or less (approximately $65 Canadian Dollars) are exempt from duties and taxes, provided the following conditions
are met:
The words "Gift Shipment" or "Unsolicited Gift" are included on the commercial invoice (see sample)
A detailed description of each item is provided
The value of the gift is declared on the commercial invoice
Shipment must be destined to a residential address (no business)
NOTE: Shipping a gift to an individual to their work address will cause an issue - it'll be seen as a
commercial shipment and will not be exempt from duties and taxes.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Smith Family in Bath James Smith 1 Abbott Street Bath, BA1 0AQ, England
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Sending Multiple Gifts to the United Kingdom (U.K.)
To avoid duties and taxes:
Words "Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package" appear in General Description of Goods as well as the Detailed description of goods
(see sample)
Individually wrap and tag each gift separately
Ensure the names on each tag are different and clearly marked on the commercial invoice
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Smith Family in Portsmouth James Smith 1 Abbott Street Portsmouth, PO1 1HE, England
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Shipping Personal Effects
Most goods can be shipped free from tax and duty if you have owned the items for longer than six months but you may be asked to prove possession.
There are a few documents that can be used to prove this but that's beyond the scope of this article. Examples include: receipts, warranties, insurance documents etc.
Moving Temporarily
Students:
If you are a student travelling to the UK to study for at least twelve months you can ship your personal effects to the UK free of duties and taxes.
Document Checklist:
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate "Personal Effects" and include the Transfer of Residence (ToR) code written under General Description or Remarks section
Proof of Enrolment must be included with your shipment
Non-Students:
If you are not a student, and you are moving your residence to the UK for at least twelve months, you will need to apply for Transfer of Residence relief.
If you are moving your residence to the UK for less than 12 month, you will need to apply for Temporary Admission of Goods.
Document Checklist:
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate "Personal Effects" and include the ToR code written under General Description or Remarks section
Temporary Admission of Goods form must be include with your shipment if you are moving for less than 12 months, including the return date. This information must be written under General Description or Remarks section
Moving Permanently
If you are moving to the UK for 12 months or longer you will need to complete a Transfer of Residence (ToR)
form before your move to claim exemption from duties and taxes.
NOTE: It is possible to apply for ToR relief within twelve months of your arrival in the UK. However, you will need to pay import duties and taxes on the items upon entry. If your ToR is successful, you may be able to claim the import duties and taxes back.
Document Checklist:
Clearly indicate "Personal Effects" and include the ToR code in the "General Description" or "Remarks" section on the commercial invoice
Include with your shipment your Transfer of Residence form
London Community Centre James Smith 1 Abbott Street London, E17 AE, England
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal effects being delivered to my new address. TOR #: NNNNNNN
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
5 Pairs
Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes
IN
$40.00
1 Each
Personal Effects: Arc'terix Winter Jacket
CA
$478.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Personal Effects Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $678.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Food, Chocolate, Candies
Most food, chocolate and candy products can be imported to the UK at a reduced or zero rate duty.
Regardless of who you are, when shipping food to the UK you must make sure to follow the important regulations shown below:
Food must have a shelf life of six months or longer
Food must be in the original manufacturer's packaging or wrapping
Food labels must list all ingredients including the expiry date
Packaging should be sealed and not show any signs of tampering
The Personal Import Rules Database
provides detailed information about what can be sent. Generally, you can send 1-2 kg of food for personal consumption. Above that,
you may be charged duties and taxes. The same rules apply for businesses.
Only businesses can send the following items:
Any meat or meat products
Any milk or dairy products
Potatoes
NOTE: Permits and licences may be required to export these food items to the UK.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency provides a
checklist to help businesses export food internationally.
The UK Food Standards Agency also provides useful information for non-EU businesses exporting food to the UK. More information can be found
here.
Food, Chocolate, and Candies Checklist
Ensure that your food products comply with the checklist above
Clearly indicate "Food" on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section
Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
In the UK, a commercial sample is an item that can only be used for demonstration purposes, with the aim of encouraging people to buy or to place orders.
The benefit of having your goods cleared as samples is that paying duties and taxes can be avoided if the receiver has a valid EORI number.
In order to qualify for duty-free exemption, the following conditions must be met:
The Consignee (aka. recipient) is an established commercial entity within the UK
A government agency or department, or public institution or public establishment is recognised and approved by our National Import Relief Unit (NIRU)
The Consignee (aka. recipient) has a valid EORI number (details below)
The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as "commercial sample"
The items are declared as "Commercial Sample" on the commercial invoice (example below)
HMRC may insist that you:
Limit the quantities of items (for example, single shoes, single sizes)
Limit the number of times the items are imported in a twelve-month period
EORI Number
It is quite a quick process and you can have a valid EORI number within three working days of applying for one.
To ship samples to the UK tax free, the receiver (individual or business) first needs to have an EORI number. If they don't already have one, they can visit
https://www.gov.uk/eori for details of how to get one.
NOTE: If you already have an EU EORI number, you must register for a UK EORI number starting Jan 1st, 2021.
Blackrock Book Store Jamie Abbott 35 Southend Avenue Blackrock, NP7 5DS, ENGLAND
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Commercial Sample Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Advertising Material
Advertising material includes items which are handed out to promote products or services. They can enter the UK duties and tax free providing that certain conditions are met:
In order to qualify for duty and tax free exemption:
The package must weigh less than 1kg
The commercial invoice clearly indicates "Promotional material" or "Advertising material" in the General Description or Remarks section (example below)
The shipper can only send advertising material to a single receiver. If they are sent to multiple receivers, duties and taxes will apply.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
York Tradeshow James Smith 1 Abbott St York, Y016FA, England
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Shipping goods to the UK for repairs is a simple process as long as you follow the checklist below. It is important that the shipper and receiver indicate the correct information on the commercial invoice in order to avoid paying additional duties or VAT.
All you need to do is write the necessary information on the commercial invoice according to the document checklist below.
Repair Checklist
Commercial Invoice must clearly state under the General Description or Remarks section the following: "REPAIR & RETURN" and include the estimated time of return
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs must be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documentation or tracking number information from when the item was first exported from the UK to you
NOTE: If you don't have the original tracking information or documentation then your shipment may be delayed by Customs, and taxes may be charged on the shipment.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Warranty Repair
Ship To
Invoice
Liverpool Repair Shop James Smith 1 Abbott St Liverpool, L1 1DP, England
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
UK
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
If goods are to be temporarily imported for use in the UK, there are ways to avoid having to pay import duties or VAT, provided the goods will remain in the same condition as they were imported. Anything that isn't prohibited can be temporarily imported into the UK. Temporary imports must be re-exported within two years.
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into England, you can pick from 1 of the 3 Temporary Import Methods listed below.
Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a Commercial Invoice (CI).
More details below.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying Duties and taxes
1
Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided)
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice
+
Temporary Admission (TA)
Very Low
3
Commercial Invoice
+
ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
You should be aware that shipping using this method doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax free. Not all brokers will clear
goods as temporary imports (i.e. UPS, Fedex, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any duties and taxes.
2. Apply for a Temporary Admission (TA)
This option is great for one-time shipments such as a trade show booth or specialized equipment. For more information, please visit this
link.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary import (see example below), you must also apply for
Temporary Admission (TA).
It is more time-consuming than option 1 however, it should ensure that your shipment does not incur any duties and taxes.
Please keep in mind that not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports so make sure you check with them prior to shipping.
3. Apply for an ATA Carnet
This option is great for items that frequently travel in and out of the country. It's also great because once you have an ATA Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of the article. You can however contact your local chamber of commerce and will be able to guide you along.
In addition to 1 of the 3 items above, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for duty-free exemption:
The goods must be exported within 2 years
The goods may NOT be sold, mortgaged, hired, disposed of, loaned or altered in any fashion without permission of the authorities
The words "Temporary Import/Not for Resale" are stated on the commercial invoice under General Description.
The words "Temporary Import" and the anticipated return date are stated on the commercial invoice under the Detail Description of Goods (for all applicable items)
Ensure the Customs Broker selected can clear goods of temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically cannot)
include the original tracking number and the import date if the product is returning
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
Exporting sold goods to the UK is a straightforward process. However, we recommend you consult a licensed UK customs broker if you are considering exporting goods on a regular basis.
NOTE: If you already have an EU EORI number, you must register for a UK EORI number starting Jan 1st, 2021.
The UK government requires CE (Conformité Européene) markings on certain products upon entry - generally for electronic equipment or medical equipment.
For the full list of products that need CE Marking see
here.
Do I need a CE marking in addition to my commercial invoice and other standard export documents?
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Lachlan Macquarie 35 Auburn St. Bristol, BS1 1DL England
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with England. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into England, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
Import duty and taxes are calculated based on the sum of the Customs Value, Insurance Amount, and Freight costs (shipping costs). This is known as CIF. In the UK, an additional 20% VAT is added to the CIF.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
Tax (VAT) is payable on all shipments and duty is payable on shipments with a value of £135 or more. However, certain goods attract other taxes which will be payable before the package can be delivered.
The UK provides detailed guidance on how to value imports for customs duty
here.
Thresholds
Some countries provide a Duty & Tax Threshold (i.e. de minimis) which means that below a certain amount, no Duties or no Taxes are charged on the import of that shipment.
Currency
Pound Sterling (£/GBP)
TAX (VAT / GST)
20%
Duty Exemption
(De minimis Value)
£135 *
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
£0
Threshold Method
CIF
Tax & Duty Calc Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Mobiles 0%
Tablets 7.2%
Computers & Laptops 0%
Cameras 0-15%
Beauty Products & Cosmetics 3.7%
Shirts & Pants 12%
Coats 12%
Watches 11-23%
Jewellery 0-4%
Home Appliances 0-3%
Toys 0%
Sports Equipment1-15%
Documents 0%
Spirits and Wines 50%
Accessories for Electronics 0-2.7%
Video Games & Consoles 0%
Books 0%
Chocolate 8-10%
Candy 9%
Tobacco 50%
NOTE:
The numbers above are based on the item's Country of Origin (manufacture) being a part of the Most-Favored Nation (MFN). If the Country of Origin is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), then it is part of the MFN and hence gets the above Duty rates. Please also note that there is an additional 20% VAT payable on the aggregate total on all imports.
Please keep in mind that we do make an effort to keep the numbers above updated but if exact numbers are needed, please contact a customs broker at the destination company.
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Yes they do. Unfortunately, USPS is not currently available through Secureship at this time. For more information on rates and delivery times with USPS, please visit
https://postcalc.usps.com/
What is the cheapest way to ship internationally to Great Britain from Canada?
The cheapest way to ship to Great Britain is to use a multi-carrier rate shopping platform like Secureship. Not only will you see a comparison of prices
for all the major carriers, by shipping through
Secureship,
you'll save up to 50% off the list price of the carrier because of their group buying power. Find the cheapest way to ship to Great Britain here.
What is the best way to ship to the UK?
Shipping internationally can be complex so the best way to ship to the United Kingdom is to use a platform like
Secureship that is designed to help shipper's of all levels.
The Secureship platform will guide you through best practices around shipping to various countries, including England. It will also help you find the best way to ship there
in order to ensure a safe and efficient delivery of your boxes.
How long does it take to ship from Canada to the UK?
Delivery times will vary by carrier and service level chosen. You can normally have your package picked up and delivered as early as 2 business days through a courier network.
Other slower but more economical services such as the
post office can take as long as 1-2
months to deliver. See delivery times for shipments from Canada to England here.
