So what does a day in the life of the removals officer worker at a European mover like ?

There are many , many tasks involved in running and operating a European mover , now in a bigger company many of the role and task I do , would be done by several people 

But I thought I would discuss some of the tasks I do in the ERS office to ensure that your moves go smoothly and the other tasks I get up to you might not realise (some of these task are not of course done daily )

Tasks including :
Marketing 
Running the companies Social media accounts 
Networking 
Running the companies website 
Route planning Accounts and record keeping 
Dealing with Emails and phone calls that aren't from customers / general emails 
General Admin tasks 
Covid related admin tasks : EG Passenger locator forms when the vans on route to the UK (until this is dropped anyway )

Planning/arranging maintenance of the van and equipment : including the vans regular services , arranging/sorting any maintenance needed that is not planned/scheduled , for example replacement of tyres and likes. And of course keeping the required records of all planned and unplanned maintenance, and ensuring the van stays in a safe legal roadworthy condition.   
Planning moves: including ensuring the right equipment and likes is on the move and the van team know everything they need to in advance .A further example would be to ensure the can has sufficient removal blankets for said move , any packing materials is on the van , and if more is needed brought and got before the due move 

Dealing with customer enquiries 

Helping / advising customers 

Communicating /working with van team when they are on the road (including knowing where they are , when they expect to arrive at x or y (for example the customs depot or Ferry port )(and referring to when reaching the customs Depot , I also need to then let the Spanish customs broker know the Eta to the Spanish Depot )

Booking the Ferry/s: (which also then includes uploading/entering details onto the Ferry companies booking system with the customs clearance references etc)

Customs: Sorting / arranging customs , and working with our Customs brokers to ensure clearance is sorted and arranged in a timely manner to ensure that the move can carry on in a timely manner, as this side of the customs process can not be completed until the van is loaded and on the road 
This of course includes , putting your inventory and all the needed information onto a Spreadsheet for the brokers: (with information you as the customer couldn't in advance know , including what vehicle the loads on its weight ,value (the value is the value you advise us of (used 2nd hand value of your items ) a confirmed number of items , the sailing route and departure time (plus the Transit customs , customs post code ) and the receiving customs post ) 
(this needs doing twice once for the export customs and once for the import customs )
Some tasks in the customs process only need doing in one direction for example the French Envelope needs doing from Spain to UK when transiting via France (right now our Spanish agent does this (but using as an example , as we transit the return ,leg via T1 when don't need a French envelope on the return leg 
The Van team thou do need to complete the T1 , the UK broker sends us an LRN (local reference number) the van team then need to present that on the outbound leg to UK border force for a T1 to be generated 
(when discharged the T1 officially becomes a T2)
Sorting the GVMS (for both entry and exit from the UK (when loaded or unloaded ) The GVMS when completed becomes a GMR I then need to send that to the van team and monitor to see if the UK Government wants to do an import/ or export inspection and advise the team 
Then there is ensuring that the customer has sent all the required documents we need for the customs brokers (this task is of course done early as soon as a customer books we advice them the list of documents we need and work with them to ensure we get them , and in a format that the brokers can work with )
Don't worry this task/tasks may sound tricky when explained like that but , we take care of all that for you 

This is just an overview and no two days are quite the same and some tasks we do , I haven't included as they either are only done a few times a month/year eg submitting the accounts to company house etc 

There is quite a bit that goes into running a European mover , or any mover for that matter and as said the above is an overview 
​Yes I have gone into more detail for some tasks, than others 

Thanks for reading 
Fell free to ask any questions as would love to discuss /share an insight into the world of removals a bit more 

So your looking to move to Spain from the UK , and noticed all the new Customs rules (new in 2021 and new ones this year in 2022 including the GVMS and more come the first of July) and though gulp blimey they look hard , tricky and complex , well relax , your better letting a mover (removals company ) handle this for you (in 2021 here at ERS we did 86 customs process ) (and handle the sorting the customs process for our customer ) , we have here at ERS toi sort this customs brokers in place in the UK , Spain and France, 
We have the experience to know what needs doing (yes you could learn it but it takes time to get your head around why bother with that hassle when a mover covering European routes already has the experience and knowledge ) (and we as I said have 3 sets of Customs brokers in place so can check with them if we are not 100% sure on something)

Reason 1 : They handle the customs process (explained above)
Reason 1A : We have the required accounts for the GVMS and Ens (both parts of the required customs systems and not covered by the customs brokers )

Reason 2 : An Eori number is needed : They will have the required Eori (but check they have them) we have an EU Eori in the shape of a French Eori and UK on here at ERS 

Reason 3 : We have Ferry accounts (you might be like so but we can book on the ferry and a get the fair cheaper (if with the operators we use_) and the freight booking systems also allow the required data to be up loaded to the Ferry company as required by law (yes they need the customs details to (they have a legal obligation to ensure only customs cleared units ship with them)

Reason 4 : route knowledge : we for example cover big chunks of the same route between the UK and Spain no matter where the load is going meaning we have learned from experience many things including : where the bottle necks/likely deals will be, when to avoid certain places/areas eg due to Rush hour.
Fuel stations on route that have fair prices (without having to hunt or detour )
And talking of Detours we also know various alternative routes in the event of issues on the main route. 
We also know were good and safe places to rest are> 
And we can as a rule put that knowledge to use to, do the trip or stage quicker than some who have never done it 
(and while we have extensive knowledge on the Spain -Uk  route we have a wide knowledge of the geography of routes and driving in western Europe)

Reason 5 : got the networks in place if need additional support eg need extra help or porters 

There are many more advantages but most of them relate to the normal reasons to pick a mover over self moving 

• Insured for the job 
  
• Got the correct equipment 
• Experience of how to handle and move items safely and correctly 
• and more 

So we are getting closer to 2022, as I write this it is a few days away , so starting on the 1st January the UK government is applying at import to the UK full customs controls 
But what does that mean for me ?
Firstly it does not mean that moving to Spain is impossible or returning to the UK from Spain is impossible 
But what it does mean is: 
Full customs controls means there now is a possibility of any vehicle entering the UK with goods on board been sent to an Inland border facility (IBF) where the vehicle can have enhanced and more detailed customs checks and controls applied 
This means that the inventory must be correct , for example , if your load is Tors approved (Transfer of Residency that the items on the vehicle must be the same as declared when you submitted the Tors application )
This is also true of any import to the UK the inventory of goods declared must be the same as what the vehicle is carrying 

And a quick note if for example your one of our customers and the inventory we load is different to what you have already sent the office ?
Well if your Tors approved to the UK We can only load the approved inventory 

None Tors the van team will update the inventory and advise the office who will adjust it , and submit an updated inventory to the relevant customs brokers (please note thou if this is the case addition charges will apply for the extra items/volume ) (if moving to Spain Tors doesn't apply it is a UK systems thou the inventory needs to be accurate, but if not additional charges will apply if more than the volume quoted was loaded )

There are a few other aspects to the full customs controls and related systems that I could go into but they are not something our customers will need to worry about as they will just be added to the list of the customs process we cover as part of dealing with the customs clearance processes for our customers 
An example of this been the Goods Vehicle movement system (GVMS) ​

Please be advised that the systems from the UK to the EU so for example Spain have not changed as the EU applied Full customs controls during 2021 

So we are all but 9 months into Brexit, and in that time here at ERS we have carried on making peoples dream moves to Spain come true 

And yes while things have changed since Brexit it has not made that dream move to Spain (or France or other EU countries ) impossible or out of your reach. Yes it has made that same move more expensive than Pre Brexit 

So I thought I would go though in a bit more detail on how things have changed (We have in other blogs on this website covered various aspects of this like the Customs process ) 

Firstly yes you will have likely heard and know that there is now various customs process and rules that are now in place that, firstly yes there is now more paperwork needed for the customs process to export and import your goods to and From Spain (and costs of Customs brokers) here at ERS we have as part of our service this extra customs process and paper work covered , all you need to do is send the requested documents we ask for: 
Yes there might be customs duties and Iva/vat (depending on which country Vat in the UK / Iva in Spain / Vat in France ) at import and to be on the safe side we treat it as there is (which we explain in more detail when in the quote stage of a move )  
And there is Customs broker fees , which we tell you what they are but that is in our case paid as part of your overall moving cost 
So yes it now is a tad more expensive to move to Spain/France since Brexit 

And yes there are also new rules about living there as well (best on that to speak to an expert on relevant immigration law) 

But let me reassure you off the following:
Yes the customs process is more involved but ERS has you covered we handle all the customs processes involved in your move 

and no it has not become impossible to relocate to Spain from Britain since Brexit we have this year successfully completed numerous trips moving people to Spain from the UK
so no Brexit has not made your dream move to Spain impossible 
Moving to Spain is still achievable 

when it comes to moving house/home there is no denying it can be stressful , so why would you want to increase that stress and self move ? 
Are there any advantages of self moving ?
Well in my professional opinion no there are not and your better off letting a professional mover do your move for you ,but i hear you saying , oh but as a removals company your bound to say that , which is true but it does not change the fact, we think your better off letting a professional mover do it for you , lets explore why that is the case 
​ 
1 experience 
A good removals team do house moves all the time (and yes while no two properties are the same) and that experience builds up , a mover , will for example though that experience know how to lift and handle more awkward or heavy items , safely and effectively,
And have the experience and knowledge how to get things though tricky spots 
Plus ever noticed a removals person walking backwards while carrying large items ? Well when carrying many 2 person objects a person will need to be walking backwards and that is a skill in its own right , one thing you may have also noticed when watching movers at work is how often they can do a two person lift and carry the item straight to the removals vehicle when you would/might have had to put it down several times yes some time movers also need to do that  )

I could go on about Experience for hours but I think you get the point , the fact a professional mover is doing this all the time is one of the key benefits,
Experience breeds expertise


(I will discuss the others in follow on pieces so that I can explore them in detail without this becoming to long)

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 *
​