So how does the customs process relating to my house move to Europe from the UK work?

So despite what you may have seen on the news and on facebook and the likes since Brexit, yes there has been a drop in volumes though the ports but that doesn't mean moving to Europe is not possible here at ERS Removal services Ltd (European relocation services ) have managed 2 fully successful runs 

So I thought I would discuss with you the customs process involved for your move to the likes of Spain
  
A few common questions 

So is there more paperwork involved in the customs process now than before Brexit ? yes there is as prior to Brexit there was no customs process per say where as there is now, in regards to the additional customs paperwork required we as your movers will sort the extra paperwork out. 
Will we need more information from you ? Yes we will and I can advise you what extra is needed when discussing your move with you prior to booking stages 
Will you need a more detailed inventory ?  Yes we will (more advice can be found here by clicking the link )but feel free to ask questions 
www.europeanrelocationservices.co.uk/ourblog/updated-infomation-on-inventorys-re-brexit-2021

What is the customs process ?
(UK to Spain) 
A you book your move with us 
B you send the requested documents and inventory 
C we send said documents to our customs agents in Spain and the UK 
D We then advise the UK agent (export ) when loaded that the van is loaded and they finalise the customs documents 
E We present the van to the UK boarder force /HMRC at the port to complete the paperwork side for the UK
F The van checks in with the ferry 
G the van ships on the ferry to Europe 
H the van disembarks the ferry and stops at French passport control 
I the van transit France heading towards the Spanish boarder 
J the van presents to the Spanish customs station (at this stage our Spanish agents check the paperwork and send it to the Spanish government (so it is not until now we will know if any Iva and the likes will be generated for sure)
k at this stage the Spanish customs may request to inspect the van 
L the van gets the discharge papers (discharging the T1 form that is used to transit France ) and we receive the Iva bill (if applicable ) and we pay it as received (if there is no Iva Bill or in rare cases a Tariff bill the holding fee we hold for you will be refunded)
M the van transit though Spain to your delivery 

Spain to UK 
Is as above expect we also have to present outbound to a customs clearance station to be cleared for the load to leave Spain where as in the UK it is usual done remotely 

So the above is just a summary some stages are more involved than others but you don't need to worry as we win handle the customs processes as part of the move 

*And of course until either Covid ends or France change entry requirements for Freight drivers the team/crew on the van will have a PCR after loaded and before heading to the port 

Well the simple answer is well 
Two trips booked and two trips done successfully 

The detailed version for those who want to know 

So as you may have seen that since the 1st January 2021 we have here at European relocation services (ERS Removal Services ltd) have completed 2 fully successful Trips between Spain and the UK 
(that works out to 2 imports into the UK (Trip one (Trip two was empty to the UK) and 5 imports into Spain (Trip one had 4 customers , trip two had one customer as it was full van load )

And on trip two when the van checked in at Newhaven port with DFDS he was told he would be one of only a few freight units (in our case van) on the ferry as out of the 50 booked only us and 11 others had the correct customs paperwork (and sorting the customs paperwork is something we do as part of your move)  and from what he could work out we where the only removals vehicle on board 
(As the Ferry companies can not let you on the ferry without the right paperwork by law)


​

*Updated 21/01/2021
Please be advised that as of the 1st January 2021 due to new rules regarding customs , to ensure the smooth administration of your move, we will need a much more detailed Inventory than we currently do (did if reading in 2021) 
This is as we will need the information to firstly submit to our customs clearance agent 
And for a few customs related tasks we are also required to do 

(see our advice on how to write an inventory here ) 

*Please be advised what is declared on your inventory is what will be submitted to the customs broker and what will be cleared so it most be accurate as what is declared is what can be transported and it is very possible that , it will be checked at some point by some relevant customs or legal authority 

Furniture 
Sofas/Seatte 
How many seater is it ? eg 2 , 3 or 4 etc (is it a corner sofa (colour and material  is it assembled or disassembled (if dissembled how many pieces ) (eg 3 seater leather (disassembled ) 
And with sofa suites how many chairs 
And also list if the chairs or sofa is a recliner if a recliner please listed if electric or manual 

Beds and mattresses 
Please indicate the bed style eg Devan, frame , bunk and the likes (and as applicable if a child's/toddlers bed )   
Bed size eg King or queen etc and the same for the mattress (please thou list the mattress separately )
Also indicate if it comes apart and if it will be assembled or dissembled (if disassembled how many parts it will be )(label all parts as to which bed they belong to (this is as much for ease of reassembly )
(Eg king size Devan (disassembled in 3 parts (no need in this case to list the head board sepaertely ) plus king size mattress 

Boxes 
We will need : 
Number of boxes (so for example 5 large 4 small ) plus the size in cm or mm as well 
Contents of the boxes so for example boxes 1 - 5 kitchen contents consisting of pans , plates cutlery (and likes ) (please ensure you label the boxes with your Full name )(and for yours and our ease as well as numbering write the room on it ) 
Also please indicate if cardboard boxes or plastic tub boxes 
(and until advised otherwise we can not transport any food or drink of any sort during your house move ) 

Bikes 
Please indicate if it is an adults or child's bike and if a road bike or mountain bike and of course the numbers 

Additional information 
We have been advised that the inventory will also need the following information
Apx Weight of overall goods (estimate )
And an estimated Value 
(Please note that the value of your goods for customs purposes is A based on their current Second hand value and not the price it would cost to replace them
And B therefor will be different to the insurance value )
*Also please include the UK address and Spanish address on the spread sheet 
*And where possible please use Excel (thou not to crucial as if need I can transfer to a spread sheet)

For entry into the UK for your belongings*
you will need a Tor (Transfer of Residence (legal term )(and required if you where a resident in Spain/France etc )(lived outside the UK for more than 12 months as well)
(you can either do the Tor your self and send us the code when approved (or we can do it for you with a letter of authority from you to act as an agent in regards the Tor)
(if we do the Tor on your behalf we will require all the relevant documents which we will advise you on if you request us to do it on your behalf ) 
*The Tor is for people who are legal residents in the country they are relocating from (or lived in the country your relocating from for at least 12 months ) 
(If your moving from a holiday home a different form may be required) (more advice/info to follow on this) 
(Tor 1 guidance can be got from Hmrc by ringing 0300 322 9434 option 4)(and we would strongly Recommend you have a chat with them yourselves) (as there may be tax relief schemes and the likes that apply to you and they are in the best position to advise )
Please also read the HMRC/ UK government website on this here is the Link 
​
Documents need for Spanish customs 
We are also advised that for Spain we require a photocopy of your Padron (from the Town hall of  the area / town you live in ) (into Spain only)
*Nie Number / Certificate (for both into and out of Spain )
copy of Picture page of your passport (for both into and out of Spain )
If you do have Spanish Resdencia (Please send a copy of the resdencia /tie Card)
We also require various other documents to enable us to submit the required documents which we can advise you of (as well as the above list Documents ) 

(we will act as the middle person in regards arranging your customs clearance and laisse and work with the agents you just need to send us the required documents 
And a signed Customs Authorisation form is required a copy can be downloaded here 
(need by the Spanish agent for both into and out of Spain)

*Please be advised that Custom clearance is needed for into or out of the UK and Spain * 
​
*Please be advised that there is also a chance of your items been handled additional times during various stages of the customs process *

Hopefully this gives you a good idea of the additional information need on your inventory , but if you need more advise please feel free to ask and we will advise you as applicable 


The UK Vat rate is 20%
Spanish Iva Rate 21% (Iva is the Spanish name for _vat) 

Some information on the customs process 
(And also please note that the customs broker fee/s are also separate to the vat import bill (if vat import bill is applicable)(the custom broker fees are the custom broker charges to provide their legally required services in relation to the customs process (this applies to both the British and Spanish agent ) 
(Please not the process is as follows Items are exported from country A (the country goods leave ) and imported into country B (the country the goods arrive to/go to ) (Transit countries for these purposes don't count as import/export ) 

Hopefully this gives you a good idea of the additional information need on your inventory , but if you need more advise please feel free to ask and we will advise you as applicable

Please note that Duty/Tariffs are not the Same as Vat/IVA, Vat/Iva are separate entries 

*will be updated as needed *

*All information is subject to change and correct at time of publication *
​

Moving your items into long or short term storage ? 
Here are a few tips 

1. ensure you know the storage places rules regarding what can and can not be stored 
2. no storage place will for example allow any type of gas to be stored 
3. ​Remember to ensure anything with any liquid in it is drained ( Eg Washing machine (will need to ensure it is drained for the mover who brings it to storage anyway )
4. ensure nothing is moist or damp eg your fridge /and/or Freezer (and that the freezer is defrosted ) (and don't leave any food in either ) as to avoid mold or the likes growing developing 
5. Got a mattress you need to store ? Don't store it stood up right as after a while it will start to flop or bend Store it in a way that it can bend or sag so if possible against a wall and with a hard board at the front to stop that ​Or store then on their sides 
6. As when moving please ensure all boxes have either a lid or are seal-able to avoid the risk of contents spilling from them (especially if the storage unit is the 7 cubic metre wooden box type as they are moved around on folk lifts
7. Remember that black bags are not suitable for long term storage as they can and do after a while start to weaken and disintegrate making them harder to handle        
8. Find our main tips for moving section here   as the tips for packing boxes and glass items and the likes are the same for weather moving to a new house straight away or into Storage
9. 
   More tips will be added yet 
   But got any tips or tricks you discovered and want to share them please feel free to do so in the comment section below 
   
   

Important moving tip always be sure to check the movers Feedback 

It is also a good idea to check the movers Terms and conditions