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Customs and Excise regulations for the importation of household and personal goods into the UK are strictly maintained and involve a good deal of original paperwork, as copies or faxed documents are not accepted. The C3/C33 customs form for clearance of household effects and personal goods must be presented as two original copies, both signed.

In addition, the owner’s valid passport is required, together with a work permit, if issued, and sight of the owner’s visa may be requested. Two copies of a detailed inventory giving the value of the goods in English, signed and dated by the owner, must be submitted, as must keys for any locked items.

The goods must arrive not more than 12 months after their owner, or six months before the owner arrives, and for duty-free entry to the UK from non-EU countries must have been owned for at least six months before importation, with provable duty and tax paid on them in the home country. The C3 form is used.

Arrivals from outside the EU/EEA area cannot sell, lend, hire or dispose of their possessions until after 12 months without gaining permission from Customs and Excise. For former EU residents setting up home in the UK, duty-free entry is granted on duty and tax-paid goods owned for at least three months and not sold within 12 months of arrival. The C33 form should be used.

Restricted goods include tobacco products, goods newer than three or six months complete with relevant invoices, alcohol and perfume, and if found in the shipment, a full inspection will be carried out. Prohibited good include firearms, fireworks, explosives, flick knives, drugs, pornography, counterfeit currency, fish, meat, poultry, animal goods, especially from endangered species, plants, seeds, bulbs, soil and other flora.

Importation for most cars is also duty-free, provided the owner has used the vehicle in the home country for more than six months and is being imported for personal use. Resale within a year of importation is forbidden. The customs declaration must give all details and a full description of the vehicle including the engine, chassis and serial number as well as its price and a list of special features, if any.

Documents required include Customs form C104A, the vehicle’s registration document, the original purchase invoice, the log book and insurance certificate, a police registration certificate and the Community Transit Document T2 from customs in the country of exportation.