Laura Parry

Ahh I'm stumped then. As I applied for the temporary admissions and they categorically asked for a Comp Customs Guarantee number as part of the application. I therefore couldn't progress any further into the application without one. I cannot find a definite answer anywhere as to how businesses import items from overseas just to look at, before returning and avoiding import duty in the process. Is this even possible?

Thank you both, In that case, can I potentially return anything and claim the import duty back on ANYTHING if I don't want to keep it? For example, I order a piece of jewellery from overseas and I pay the import duty for it to arrive in the UK. However, the quality isn't up to standard so I want to return it. To claim the import duty back do I just use a C285 (or equivalent) form? If so, are there any stipulations to be aware of? Eg, item value, time limits etc? Thank you.

Thank you. The reason we are applying for the comp guarantee is because we couldn't apply to temporarily allow goods in to the country without one. It asked for a CCG number while we were applying. The CCG has been approved but struggling to complete the next step, guarantor. In your experience, what would be the best method to avoid paying import tax on pieces we are only going to quality check or photograph, then return? I believe photography is a reason to allow temporary imports. Are you saying, other than this, our best bet is 'to pay duties on deposit when claiming TA and reclaim when the goods are reexported.' All help appreciated. Many thanks.

I have a small online fine jewellery business. We have contacts from various countries that will regularly send us goods. These vary from loose diamonds to completed jewellery pieces. Some of these suppliers are able to send us goods on a 'sale or return basis' meaning we return anything we don't sell. Occasionally, we may order pieces where we are not happy with the quality and may want to send back. In these example circumstances, it won't make sense to pay the import duty or customs payments, as we won't be keeping the items. Are we right in thinking, that to allow goods temporarily into the country, we need to apply for https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-import-goods-temporarily-to-the-uk-or-eu Or would we be looking for another scheme? In anticipation of this being the correct scheme to apply for, we requested a Customs Comprehensive Guarantee number. HMRC have approved this but have requested we ask our bank to agree to be a guarantor. Unfortunately our current bank isn't on the approved PRA list of financial institutions. In order to be granted the Customs Comp Guarantee number, we are willing to find an approved bank account immediately, however I am still uncertain as to why a bank would be willing to be a guarantor for us. I don't want to go ahead and find a new approved bank account, only to be told they are not willing to guarantee this. Any advice on how to proceed? We can't be the only new business that needs to import goods temporarily to check stock quality, inspect goods, return if not sold etc.