Import jargon, explained

The shipping document for your goods: a receipt from the carrier, the contract of carriage and, as an original, the document that controls who can collect the goods.

You will usually see two: a house B/L and a master B/L. Your supplier normally holds on to the original (or delays the telex release) until you have paid the balance.

The bill of lading your freight forwarder issues for your goods. It names your supplier as shipper and you (or your agent) as the party to be told on arrival.

The bill of lading the shipping line issues to the freight forwarder for the whole container. The line releases the container against it; your forwarder then releases your goods against the house B/L.

A release without paper originals: the original bill of lading is handed back at origin and the carrier tells its UK office to release the goods. Suppliers usually arrange it once they have been paid.

The supplier's invoice (what you bought and what you paid) and the list of what is in each carton. Customs uses them for the declaration, so they must match the goods.

Estimated time of departure: when the ship is expected to sail from the port of loading. It can move if the ship is late or the booking is changed.

Estimated time of arrival: when the ship is expected at the UK port. It is an estimate and often moves by a few days; we update it as we hear more.

Full container load: you pay for a whole container and only your goods are in it. It is sealed at loading and opened when it reaches you.

Less than container load: your goods share a container with other people's. Good for smaller orders, but there are extra handling steps at each end.

The common sizes are 20ft and 40ft. A 40ft high cube (HC) is about a foot taller than a standard 40ft, so it takes more bulky, light goods. Heavy goods can hit the weight limit before the container is full.

The number on the one-use seal fitted to the container doors after loading. If the seal is intact and matches the paperwork on arrival, the container has not been opened on the way.

The name of the ship and the voyage number the shipping line gives that particular sailing. Together they identify exactly which sailing your container is on.

When your container is moved from one ship to another at a hub port on the way. It is normal on many routes, and it can add time if the connecting ship is late.

When a container is moved to a later sailing than planned, for example because the ship is full. Common, and it does not mean anything is wrong with your goods.

When a container is handed in at a port terminal: the full container at the port of loading, or the empty container when it is returned after delivery.

When a container leaves the terminal, for example when the haulier collects your full container at the UK port. At that point demurrage stops and detention starts.

Standard three-letter trade terms, published by the International Chamber of Commerce, that say which costs, tasks and risks sit with the seller and which with the buyer.

The term goes on your purchase order and invoice with a named place, for example "FOB Ningbo". Customs value is based on costs up to the UK port whatever term you buy on (customs value (opens in a new tab)). You will also see FCA and CIP, which the ICC suggests for goods handed over in containers.

The supplier makes the goods available at their premises. You arrange and pay for everything else, including loading, export clearance in China and the sea freight.

The supplier clears the goods for export and gets them on board the ship at the named port in China. You arrange and pay for the sea freight and everything after that.

The supplier pays the sea freight and minimum insurance to the named UK port, but the risk passes to you once the goods are on board in China. UK port charges, customs, duty, VAT and delivery are usually yours.

The supplier delivers to your named place in the UK, cleared through customs with duty and VAT paid. Simple on paper, but costs are hidden in the price and you should check who is the importer.

The number of days the shipping line lets you keep its container, at the port and then with you, before daily charges start. It depends on the line, the port and your contract.

A daily charge from the shipping line when a full container stays at the port longer than the free time allows after it is unloaded. The clock stops when the container is collected.

Try the numbers with the free demurrage & detention calculator.

A daily charge from the shipping line when you keep its container outside the port longer than the free time allows. The clock stops when the empty container is returned.

What the terminal charges for lifting your container off the ship and moving it around the port. Usually passed on to you by the forwarder on arrival.

The formal statement to HMRC of what you are importing, its commodity code, value and origin. It works out the duty and import VAT due. Most importers have a customs broker make it for them.

See Get UK customs clearance when importing goods (opens in a new tab) on GOV.UK.

A business that makes customs declarations for you. You give them written instructions and accurate information; you stay responsible for the declaration being right.

See Get someone to deal with customs for you (opens in a new tab) on GOV.UK.

Your business's customs ID. You need one starting with GB to import into England, Wales or Scotland. It goes on every customs declaration.

Apply on GOV.UK: Get an EORI number (opens in a new tab).

The number that classifies your product for customs (up to 10 digits for UK imports; the first 6 are the international HS code). It sets the duty rate and whether you need a licence.

Look codes up in the UK Trade Tariff (opens in a new tab).

Tax on imported goods, usually a percentage of the customs value. The rate depends on the commodity code and where the goods come from; some goods have none.

The value duty is worked out on: usually what you paid for the goods plus the cost of getting them to the UK port, such as freight and insurance.

See Delivery costs to include in the customs value (opens in a new tab) on GOV.UK.

VAT charged on imported goods, normally at the same rate as if they were sold in the UK. It is worked out on the customs value plus duty and transport costs to the first UK destination.

VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim it. See VAT on goods from abroad (imports) (opens in a new tab).

Lets a VAT-registered business account for import VAT on its VAT return instead of paying it at the border, declaring and reclaiming it on the same return.

See Check when you can account for import VAT on your VAT Return (opens in a new tab). Download your monthly postponed import VAT statement: it is only available online for 6 months.

The monthly import VAT certificate from HMRC showing import VAT you paid at the border. You need it as evidence to reclaim that VAT.

An HMRC account that lets duty and import VAT be paid monthly by direct debit instead of on each import. Many importers use their customs broker's account instead of having their own.