Moving to the United Kingdom

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE PROCESS THROUGH THE ToR1 (TRANSER OF RESIDENCE) FORM

Customs clearance for the UK (Transfer of Residence (ToR), form ToR01) must now be completed on-line through this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-transfer-of-residence-tor-relief-tor01

Please fill out the on-line form then follow the instructions to scan and send it (with supporting documents) by e-mail to HM Revenue & Customs at nch.tor@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk . This is the preferred method – ensure your name is in the subject line and all attached files are in .PDF format.

Following your submission, you will receive a unique reference number – please be sure to send this to Obit by e-mail.

You must complete the on-line application prior to your shipment leaving Canada.

Contact details of the National Clearance Hub which processes ToR1 applications: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-clearance-hub-for-goods-entering-leaving-or-transiting-the-eu

• Valid Passport
• Visa may be required
• Work Permit may be required
• Detailed Inventory in English, dated and signed by Customer
• Keys for any locked items

More information available at https://www.gov.uk/moving-to-uk

FORMS FOR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES

• C426 (for diplomatic entry – C426 consists of 3 copies and is available from the National Advice Service – 0845 010 9000),
• C384 (Private Motor Vehicle – Application for release on payment of Customs Duty and VAT as applicable )
• C179B (RE-importation of an unaccompanied private motor vehicle into the UK from outside the European community – EC)
• C1421 for inherited goods – must also provide a passport copy of the beneficiary, copy of the will and copy of the death certificate

• Goods must arrive within twelve months after Customer or up to six months before customers arrival
• Other regulations vary according to the following:
• Customer moving principal home or returning to the United Kingdom:
• Used household goods and personal effects including tools of trade, can be duty-free if:
• Items have been in Customer’s own use for at least six months before they are imported
• Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom
• Customer entering from outside the EC must have lived at least twelve months abroad and cannot sell, lend or hire out or otherwise dispose of the items in the United Kingdom within twelve months of importation, unless Customer obtains Customs authority first
• Customer who is setting up a secondary home in the United Kingdom

Customers living in another EC country used household goods

• Household goods and personal effects can be duty and tax free if:
• Customer either owns a secondary home in the United Kingdom or is renting one for at least twelve months
• Items have been for Customer’s own use at least three months prior to importation and will not be sold within twelve months after importation
• Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom

Customers living outside the EC

• Used household goods and personal effects can be duty, but not VAT free if:
• Customer has lived for at least twelve months outside the EC
• Customer either owns a secondary home in the United Kingdom or is renting one for at least twenty-four months
• Customer has owned and used the items for at least six months before they are imported
• Customer canot sell, lend, hire out or otherwise dispose of the items in the United Kingdom within twelve months of importation, unless Customs authority is obtained first
• Customer can prove that duty and tax have been paid on them prior to arrival in the United Kingdom

Special regulations apply to students, newlyweds, visitors, inheritances, those shortly to marry, to goods originating from EC countries, personal antiques (not for resale), etc. Specific details in these cases must be obtained by Customer directly from Embassy/Consulate.

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• New items, if less than six months old (invoice required)
• Alcohol, tobacco and perfume products dutiable and must be declared separately
• Plants will need a Phytosanitary Certificate

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Firearms
• Valid Firearms Certificate issued by the police authorities
• All handguns other than certain .22 caliber target pistols, are now illegal in the United Kingdom. Importation is strictly prohibited
• Ammunition, flick knives, explosives and fireworks
• Drugs and narcotics
• Counterfeit currency
• Pornographic material and horror comics
• Meat, poultry, fish and other animal products
• Radio transmitters (CB radios, walkie-talkie, cordless telephones, etc.) not approved for use in the United Kingdom
• Trees, plants, shrubs, seeds, bulbs, soil, potatoes and certain other vegetables and fruits
• Most animals and all birds, whether alive or dead (i.e. stuffed) and certain articles derived from protected endangered species including
• furskins, ivory, reptile leather and goods made from the endangered species

For more information on prohibited items: https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/banned-and-restricted-goods

MOTOR VEHICLES (Including trailers, boats, aircraft, etc.)

• CUSTOMER’S PRESENCE AT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE MAY BE REQUIRED
• Importation for most private vehicles is duty-free if:
• Owner moving primary residence to the United Kingdom (Customer living outside the EC must have been abroad for more than twelve months) and vehicle has been owned and used abroad by Customer for at least six months
• Was not purchased under duty/tax-free scheme, is for personal use and is not to be resold within one year of importation
• Declaration to HM Customs – must specify year of manufacture, make, model name, serial number, chassis number, engine number, cubic engine capacity, number of cylinders, whether petrol or diesel, whether left or right hand drive, description of the body, price, the odometer reading, any extra or special features (e.g. automatic transmission) and any defects in the auto that would bring the price down
• Documents Required:
• Log in to use the Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (NOVA) service at https://www.gov.uk/nova-log-in
• Customs Form C384 (Importing vehicle when duty is applicable) may be required
• Custom Form C179B (RE-importation of an unaccompanied private motor vehicle into the UK from outside the European community – EC) may be required
• Community Transit Document (T2) obtained from Customs office in the country of exportation
• Registration papers / Title
• Police Certificate or Registration
• Insurance Policy
• Original Purchase Invoice
• Log Book

For more information on importing motor vehicles: https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

PETS

• Very strict restrictions apply
• Health Certificate and proof of inoculation required
• Dogs and cats: six months quarantine required in government approved facility
• Quarantine kennel space limited, must be booked prior to importation
• Import License – not granted until other requirements have been met, and quarantine (six months) in licensed facility has been arranged.

Important: This information is intended for general guidance. Orbit International Logistics LTD. cannot however take responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use. As such it is advisable to contact the nearest United Kingdom customs office for full and current information prior to importation.

More information regarding importing food, animals and plants into the UK: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-animals-plants-into-uk
How to complete the C-3 form

List of British Consulates in Canada

British High Commission in Ottawa, Canada
80 Elgin Street
Ottawa K1P 5K7
City: Ottawa
Phone: (1) (613) 237 1530/(1) (613) 237 1530
Fax: (1) (613) 237 7980
Email: generalenquiries@BritaininCanada.org
Office Hours: GMT: Mon-Fri: 1330-2130
8:30am – 5:00pm

British Consulate-General in Montreal, Canada
Suite 4200
1000 De La Gauchetiere West
Montreal, Quebec H3B 4W5
Canada
City: Montreal
Phone: (1) (514) 866 5863
Fax: (1) (514) 866 0202
Email: bcgmtl@bellnet.ca
Office Hours: GMT: Mon-Fri: 1400-2200 Local Time: Mon-Fri: 0900-1700

UK Trade & Investment Office in Calgary, Canada
Suite 700, Bow Valley Square II
205-5th Ave SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 2V7
Canada
City: Calgary
Phone: (1) (403) 705 1755
Fax: (1) (403) 538 0121
Email: Officeinfo@btoalberta.com
Hours: GMT: Mon-Fri: 1500-2315 Local Time: Mon-Fri: 0800-1615

British Honorary Consul in St John’s, Canada
PO Box 452
Station C
St John’s, Newfoundland A1C 5K4
Canada
City: St. John’s
Phone: (1) (709) 579 2002
Fax: (1) (709) 579 0475
Office Hours: GMT: Mon-Fri: 1230-2030 Local Time: Mon-Fri: 0900-1700

British Consulate-General in Toronto, Canada

British Trade & Investment Office
777 Bay Street
Suite 2800, College Park
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2G2
Canada
City: Toronto
Phone: (1) (416) 593 1290
Fax: (1) 416 593 1229
Email: Britcon.Toronto@fco.gov.uk
Office Hours: GMT: Mon-Fri: 1400 – 2130 Local Time: Mon-Fri: 0900 – 1630

British Consulate-General in Vancouver, Canada
Suite 800
1111 Melville Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6
Canada
City: Vancouver
Phone: (1) 604 683 4421
Fax: (1) 604 681 0693
Email:

OfficeBritishConsulate.Vancouver@fco.gov.uk Hours: GMT: Mon-Fri: 1630-0030 Local Time: Mon-Fri: 0830-1630

British Honorary Consul in Halifax/Dartmouth, Canada
1 Canal Street
P O Box 605
Dartmouth
Nova Scotia B2Y 3Y9
Canada
City: Dartmouth
Phone: (1) (902) 461 1381
Fax: (1) (902) 465 2578
Office Hours: GMT: Mon-Fri: 1300-2100 Local Time: Mon-Fri: 0900-1700

British Honorary Consul in Quebec City, Canada
Suite 700
1150 Claire Fontaine
Quebec City, Quebec G1R 5G4
Canada
City: Quebec
Phone: (1) (418) 521 3000
Fax: (1) (418) 521 3099
Office Hours: GMT: Mon-Fri: 1400-2200 Local Time: Mon-Fri: 0900-1700