INCOTERMS EXPLAINED

An Economic Operators Registration and Identification number, or EORI as its commonly known, is a unique number assigned to a company that imports or exports goods. It is required to complete your customs entry and if you operate in more than one country you will need to apply for an EORI for each country your business is registered in.

A Customs Procedure Code (CPC) is completed at export as well as import. The CPC is based on a 2 digit community code which identifies a customs procedure, eg removal from warehouse, entry to free zone, and export under Outward Processing Relief (OPR). The CPC is built up into a 7 digit code from this.

Nett weight refers to the weight of the product itself, excluding the packaging. Gross weight is the total weight of the shipment including any packaging.

The country of origin of goods imported and exported are vital to help identify those goods which are eligible for lower or nil customs duty.

Postponed VAT Accounting is a way for UK VAT registered businesses to account for import VAT after Brexit. It allows businesses to record the import VAT on their VAT return rather than at the time the goods enter the UK.

Inventory linking ensures no goods can leave the port until the customs process is completed. At an inventory linked port you can access the port record and present customs entries against it. At a non-inventory linked port you cannot access the port record; you simply submit entries to customs and advise the driver/port of the details.

A commodity code is a sequence of numbers that determines the customs duties and other levies on goods that are moved internationally. The commodity code is required to complete a customs entry.

These are internationally recognised shipping terms which lay out the responsibilities and liabilities (such as duties, taxes and insurance) of both the seller and buyer at any point of the logistical process.

Licences are required to import and export goods of certain categories, such as goods of animal origin, controlled or hazardous goods or agricultural goods. You can find more details about export licence here or import licences here.

A T1 is a transport document used for when transported goods pass through other European countries on the way to the destination country. It prevents the seller or buyer (depending on the incoterms – see above) from having to pay duties and taxes in each country the goods pass through, only in the destination country.

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status is a globally recognised accreditation that demonstrates a business adheres to the highest standards of practice in the global supply chain, in relation to customs and/or security practices. It is assessed and granted by HMRC in the UK, and using an AEO approved supplier for your customs entries can offer the following benefits:

• Increased Access to Priority Clearance
• A Reduction in Administration
• Reductions/Waivers of Deferment and Comprehensive Guarantees
• Fewer Delays
• Improved Security in your Supply Chain
• Faster Access to Other Customs Authorisations

Duty deferment is a method of allowing businesses to control their cash flow by paying for customs duties and import VAT by monthly direct debit instead of all in one go when the goods enter the UK. A business may choose to open a deferment account themselves, or may choose to use their forwarder’s/agent’s deferment account (which usually comes at a minimum cost or % rate of the total duty costs incurred).