Getting Goods Across the Channel Without the Headaches
A single missing commodity code can hold a shipment at Calais for days. That's the reality of post-Brexit trade: the UK and EU are separate customs territories now, which means paperwork that used to be optional is suddenly essential, and shortcuts that worked in 2019 simply don't exist anymore. This guide exists to make that transition less painful.
What Actually Changes at the Border
Every consignment moving between Britain and the EU now needs a customs declaration, proof of origin if you want preferential tariffs, and correct classification under the Harmonised System. Get any of these wrong and you either pay duty you shouldn't, or face delays that cost more than the tariff ever would.
- Rules of origin determine whether your goods qualify for zero tariffs under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement
- VAT is now collected at import, not at point of sale, for many goods entering the UK
- Export health certificates apply to most animal and plant products crossing either direction
- Economic Operator Registration (EORI) numbers are required before you can move anything commercially
Where to Start
If you're shipping regularly, the smartest move is mapping your supply chain against current origin rules before problems appear, not after a pallet gets stuck in Rotterdam. Our deeper guides on customs procedures and tariff schedules break each step down further.