If you are relocating to the UK, you will need to go online to apply for a “Transfer of Residence” which if approved will grant duty/tax free entry for your household effects (and vehicle(s) if applicable) into the UK. This will be applicable for all your used household effects except certain commodities such as alcohol and tobacco.
GB Liners recommends that you start the customs clearance process as soon as you have confirmed your move. This is because HMRC (UK Customs) are frequently overwhelmed with a backlog of applications, which means instead of waiting the stipulated 14 days for a reply – you can be left waiting for up to 6 weeks during peak moving season (June-September) for a reply.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
90% of people moving will qualify for duty and tax free clearance via TOR (Transfer of Residence).
If you are importing household effects to the UK and you are not going to be residing in the UK at the same time, it is most likely that your consignment would be subject to duty/taxes. To obtain an estimate, please send us an itemised list of what you are importing with second hand values. With this information, we will be able to obtain an estimate for the likely duties and taxes that UK Customs will charge.
HOW DO YOU START YOUR TOR APPLICATION?
Please follow the link below to start your ToR application.
By clicking on the above link, it will take you straight to the Customs webpage. You can now apply directly online and upload any supporting documents you need. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of the application.
YOU WILL REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION:
- So that HRMC can contact you regarding the application – you should cite a phone number and email address on your application. It is also important to regularly check your email (including SPAM folders) for approval.
- If you are moving for work or study – you must state the establishment’s address and name on your application.
- You must state your new UK address – if this is not possible and you need to get your application submitted – we recommend using a temporary address or the address of a friend or relative where you might be contacted along with a covering letter stating this.
- You will need to state the address and provide proof of your residency outside of the UK.
- You must provide details of any vehicles or pets that you are wishing to import as part of this move. VERY IMPORTANT – failure to state these in your application could cause difficulties later including possible tax/duties being imposed.
In addition, you will need to include several documents as evidence, these are as follows:
- Passport copy
- Visa copy (if applicable to you)
- A signed list of items you are importing (you can use the survey inventory or your valuation form for this – excluding the values, or make your own list)
- Evidence of your move to the UK – such as a rental contract or job offer, all documents must be signed copies.
IMPORTANT
Please make sure the total of the attachments do not exceed 6mb as customs emailing system will not accept anything bigger and will result in a failed application. Once you have sent the application to customs, you should get an automated response to say it has been received, if you do not receive the automated email within 24 hours of sending, please call the TOR helpline – 0300 322 9434 (option 3 and then option 4), to check and confirm they have received your application.
I’VE SUBMITTED MY APPLICATION – WHAT NEXT?
Once approval is granted, HMRC will provide a Unique Reference Number (URN) which will need to be passed onto us, along with the second hand value for the entire shipment, so we can obtain customs clearance upon arrival into the UK. The second hand value is for Government statistical purposes only and not for anything sinister!
It is essential that you send us your unique reference number as soon as this has been received & if you have not received your URN and your packing date is approaching, please keep notifying your removal consultant to arrange a contingency plan.
