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Moving To or From the United Kingdom

Moving home? We’ve all done it and we understand it’s one of the most stressful things a person can do. If you add the dimension of moving between two completely different countries the stress multiplies still more! We understand that too, especially as some of us at Harbour Shipping have moved countries in the past.

Retired people, military personnel, professionals, students, diplomats, even celebrities… men and women from every country and every walk of life. Of course moving can be a hopeful step in life but we’re also sensitive to more sorrowful times when people are shipping belongings they’ve inherited after a bereavement.

Swift and Accurate

At Harbour Shipping we work closely with some of the largest international moving companies. Over 40 years we’ve assisted many thousands of people to move home by processing their customs paperwork as smoothly and flawlessly as possible. We know how critical it is to be swift and accurate for the relevant custom authorities, for the removal transporters and – almost most of all - for the peace of mind of the person who’s moving.

Pitfalls for the Unwary

Household removals and moving personal effects internationally can be straightforward but there are pitfalls for the unwary. Rules change, and the exceptions to the rules change. You can’t assume they’re the same as you remember, or even what you read online. If you satisfy the criteria for moving personal belongings to the United Kingdom you can be exempt from customs duty and VAT on your property. If you don’t qualify, it’s important you pay HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) the correct amount.

HMRC TOR Relief

HMRC offers Transfer of Residence relief for people who:

are transferring your normal place of residence (not a holiday home). It allows you to import your goods, including pet animals and means of transport, with relief from import duties and charges like VAT.
are a student coming for full-time study
are moving to get married or to enter into a civil partnership
are moving following your marriage or having entered into a civil partnership

(Scroll down for the link to this HMRC guide)

Customs Documentation Required

Of course you still need customs paperwork:

Export documentation such as transit documents (T1) and Export Accompanying Documents (EADs) for people moving belongings abroad.
Import documentation such as Import Documents on the Customs Declaration Service, even if you have a Transfer of Residence approval letter from HMRC.
Understanding how commodity codes work to categorise everything being moved.

We can help with all of the above.

Memorable Moves

Harbour Shipping Account Manager Gary Goldfinch said,

“Of course we often work with the removal companies but we can frequently have direct dealings with the people moving and those can be some of the most memorable parts of our work. They can be using multiple vehicles due to a full house move or travelling light to start a university course. All my colleagues have memories of celebrities or sportsmen and women, who we’re discrete about as you’d expect. But I think the most satisfying is helping an anxious pensioner and reassuring him or her that all is well and their move is in safe hands.”

Get in Touch

Our track record of 40 years of skill and experience means Harbour Shipping can navigate this complexity more easily, quickly and accurately than most. So whatever reason you’re moving for, and no matter whether you’re moving to or from the UK it makes sense to get in touch with us.

Use the contact form here

Phone +44 (0) 1304 211919

Email: [email protected]

We also recommend you read the HMRC guide here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transfer-of-residence-to-great-britain