News · Tips
What's moving in importing.
Shipping and freight rates, factories in China, trade fairs, UK import rules and the pound against the dollar. Short, sourced, and written for businesses bringing in full containers from China.
Fixing a mistake on an import declaration
Errors on declarations happen. HMRC has separate routes for reporting underpaid duty and for claiming back overpayments, with a three-year limit for most repayment claims.
Paying in dollars: reference rates and your provider's margin
If you pay suppliers in US dollars, two exchange rates matter: the one your provider charges you, and the one used for customs value. Each needs watching for a different reason.
Product safety: your duties when you import consumer goods
If you import goods for sale in Great Britain, you take on legal duties for their safety. That includes putting your details on the product and keeping records of your suppliers.
Using a customs agent: what to agree and what stays with you
Most importers use an agent to make customs declarations. You still carry responsibility for what is declared, so set the terms in writing and check who you are appointing.
Import records: what HMRC expects you to keep, and for how long
HMRC can ask to see import records years after the goods arrived. Keeping declarations, invoices, transport documents and VAT statements for at least six years covers every period HMRC sets.
Deposits and balances: protecting payments to new suppliers
Paying a new overseas supplier carries fraud risk. Check who you are paying, choose a payment method that fits the order, and verify any change to bank details independently.
Paid for moulds or tooling? It may belong in your customs value
If you pay for moulds, tools or design work used to make your goods, HMRC treats them as assists. Their value must be added to the price when working out customs value.
Customs value: which freight and port charges to include
Duty is charged on the cost of the goods delivered to the UK port, not just the supplier's price. Knowing which charges go in, and which stay out, stops you paying duty on UK costs.
Postponed VAT accounting: using your monthly statement
Postponed VAT accounting lets VAT-registered importers account for import VAT on the VAT return instead of paying it at the border. You need the monthly statement, and each one is only online for six months.
Getting the commodity code right, and when to ask HMRC for a ruling
Your commodity code sets the duty rate, import VAT and any anti-dumping duty. If the right code is unclear, an Advance Tariff Ruling gives you a legally binding answer.
FOB, EXW or CIF: choosing Incoterms for China imports
Incoterms set where costs and risk pass from your supplier to you. The term you choose also changes what you add to the price when working out customs value.
Bill of lading or sea waybill: why the document type matters
A bill of lading is a document of title. A sea waybill is not. Knowing which one your supplier will issue helps you plan payment and the release of your container.
You're not on your own. We chase it for you.
Portside chases your factory, forwarder and the port, and shows every container move through eight clear stages. If you're planning your first container, we're happy to talk it through.