Import academy? - Tariff Codes

I'm contacted a lot by the eport academy and I'm not currently exporting as it is so difficult import the goods I need for my products andthe time it takes to do this removes any time for developing new products. I've come across a problem with on import from Italy, which was late and delivery had to be chased. More documents added as the italian side didn't like the information I had given. The shipment turned up missing several parts and now I have been charged import Duty of 25% on parts I haven't received, even though the parts are from the EU. Looking at the tariff page it clearly states 0%. Why have i been charged this and how do resolve this. There is nothing on the 12 stages about this.

You would be best to start by asking the carrier and customs clearance agent about the fees charges and late delivery? Although we have a trade agreement with the EU it is not sufficient for the goods to simply be transported from the EU to enter the UK duty free. To benefit the goods must meet the product specific origin rules. The origin needs to be self certified by the exporter and show their registered exporter number REX . On arrival into the UK the reduced import duty needs to be claimed when the declaration is made. If you have been charged 25% this is likely to be import VAT and import duty . Again you need to check with your customs agent what the charges consist of . With the info given HMRC are unlikely to be able to provide the answers you are looking for.

Hi,

You can contact the Customs and International trade team with your query.

Imports and exports: general enquiries

You can also email cds.operations@hmrc.gov.uk with any Movement Referance Number of declarations.

Thank you.

Many thanks Customs oldtimer. I'm aware of REX, but its not something any of the Italian suppliers are doing. It appears that I was charged 25% import duty has been charged as the UK has imposed a tariff! But when you check the tariff code it shows 0%, but there is an additional tariff section way down at the bottom of the page, so it would appear the HMRC has adopted a quantum basis for tariffs, such that it can be two things at once. I've only used this tariff because it fitted the description of my goods, but looking at why the 25% tariff has been charged it clearly is the right tariff. I've contacted HMRC about tariffs before and they came to same result. Unless you want to wait 6 months and pay for the privilege of of obtaining a legally binding tariff classification your are just going to struggle and loose business. So it now boils down to using a tariff checker just before you import, thereby wasting more time imputing the same information by hand three times. If I were able to use something like Customs Clear, I could input the information once and it would flag up an incorrect code. This would save time and costs if I could get a duty deferment number, but as a very small business there no hope of that ever happening. It would be simpler if could just pay any import duty then at the time. HMRC dont do answers, they just direct you back to their website. I come to understand Customs doesn't want you to know. Their webinars are often inaccurate or leave out important information.

I am not sure where you are getting your information from. HMRC do not charge for a binding tariff ruling nor is there any restrictions on a small business getting a deferment account. HMRC have already provided the link to apply for a deferment account. If you don’t need to defer more than £10,000 a month it’s pretty straight forward. You can also pay duty various ways at import including by debit or credit card on line. You haven’t provided the HS code you are using but the only codes I am aware of with a 25% duty rate are steel ,subject to safeguard measures. There is however a duty free quota that could potentially be claimed to bring the duty back to 0%. You do have to tell your customs agent this though. Hs codes and duty rates can be checked at any time it’s not something you have to do just before you import. A system however cannot tell you whether or not you have determined the correct codes for your goods.