January Newsletter

Welcome

The New Year is underway now and we hope it's setting up to be a good and a profitable one for you. For Customs Clearance, 2007 ended in style, with the winning of a couple of great new major accounts which will be contributing to healthy growth during 2008. Look out for development of our consultancy service over the coming months. We're engaging more and more with companies in the role of 'expert' independent advisors - helping businesses get the best value out of their overseas shipment and importation processes. Can we help you?

Whilst Christmas is now gone and all the decorations are packed away for another year, we've had a great response to the on-line game we sent with our December newsletter. So we've taken off the Christmas greeting and changed the music, and we're leaving it on the site so you can play some more. Click here to go collecting consignments from around the world and test your geography at the same time.

Don't forget, for any customs and importation issues, make our friendly and approachable Customer Services team on +44 (0)20 8231 0900 your first port of call.

In this issue

Yule Log Jam - They shoulda called in the experts!
DAN the Man
Q&A - Everything you wanted to know about importing, but were afraid to ask!
SAD Harmonisation - Coming, ready or not!
Our coffee break story: It's like a jungle

Yule Log Jam - They shoulda called in the experts!

We noticed this story in the Daily Mail over Christmas. It seems that thousands of people who had tried to make their lives easier by shopping on the internet for their gifts, got a little caught out. Because we can't all be at home all the time, we're all used to getting those 'sorry we missed you' cards through the door. At Christmas, with so many more parcels on the move, the queues at the sorting offices and courier depots were - shall we say - just a little longer than average, and many people were disappointed not to get their parcels in time for the festivities.

If you order products for yourself or as gifts from overseas, as many people do these days (great exchange rates with the USA and other places are making it a really good deal), you could be fast-tracking your purchase through Customs with our support. We'll complete the forms and process the paperwork, duty and any other fees for you. Not only that, but we'll arrange with you when and where to deliver your consignment, so that you don't get home to find one of those annoying little cards on your doormat. That saves you time, reduces your stress levels and makes sure your purchase gets to its destination on time.

So, whether at Christmas or any other time of the year, make sure to call Customs Clearance when you buy from abroad.

Return to top

DAN the Man

If you're an importer in the international arena, you need to talk to DAN.

DAN is the man, the man that can;

DAN could show you how to save money and make money at the same time.

If you're a freight forwarder or international courier you need DAN.

If you're a wholesaler or retailer, you need DAN.

DAN will show you how to keep your customers happy and improve your profit margin;

DAN will show you how to keep your customers happy without increasing your costs to them;

DAN will drive up your service levels and manage your cash flow;

DAN will issue you statements just like a bank account;

DAN will allow you defer payment - to use now and pay later.

So WHO or WHAT is DAN?!

DAN is short for Deferment Approval Number. You get DAN's help once you open up a deferment account with HM Revenue & Customs.

DAN goes by a few other names too - but they're not quite as catchy. One is a Duty Deferment Bond, issued in favour of HM Revenue & Customs, which allows importers to ship goods into the UK from non-EC countries without paying duties and taxes immediately.

Many importers don't realise you can save money and increase profits this way, and they are missing the opportunities as a result. It's completely legal and is monitored by the Government. Importers, forwarders, couriers, wholesalers and retailers should be using this service. DAN really should be your 'best mate'.

There's plenty of information on the HM Revenue & Customs web site at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk, and you can always phone us at Customs Clearance as we can guide you on what sort of benefits you can expect from deferment accounts. Shortly we'll also be posting all the forms you need to our web site, for you to download.

If you want to be introduced to DAN call us on +44 (0)20 8231 0900 or email info@customsclearanceuk.com and ask for information about DAN.

Return to top

Q&A - Everything you wanted to know about importing, but were afraid to ask!

Each issue, we answer in brief one or two of your more specific customs and importation questions.

Q: I am looking at importing goods from South Africa and am ideally looking for a 'one-stop-shop' - can you help me?

A: Yes. We have several associates in South Africa and indeed across the whole African subcontinent. With your full business address details, including post/zip code, we can locate the most appropriate agent for your needs. Our associates across the world assist, as our agents, with paperwork and arrangements for exporting from their respective local regions. The consignment is then forwarded for our handling and customs clearance in the UK and we arrange for delivery to your desired destination. You make one payment, to Customs Clearance Ltd, and we settle with our associate in South Africa.

Return to top

SAD Harmonisation - Coming, ready or not!

The dates have changed slightly, but the 3-month transition and dual-running period finally ends on 20th January 2008. From 21st January, only the new message format will be accepted by the customs computer system - CHIEF - and it is compulsory to follow the new procedures for making customs declarations. Although there are no changes to the methods by which SAD forms can be submitted, there are a number of changes required in respect of entries to certain fields. HMRC has issued extensive tables detailing the new codes.

It is now compulsory to give full specific information in regard to commodities being imported. For example, it's no longer acceptable simply to say "computer parts", you will need to advise what specific parts - disc drives, memory boards, keyboards etc.

Customs Clearance is now providing a sheet to customers, to ensure the correct data is entered. This will shortly be available for download from our web site. In the meantime, please call our Customer Services team on +44 (0)20 8231 0900 to request a copy. Please note that by giving us the information on this form, you are also authorising Customs Clearance Ltd to act as your customs broker using the details supplied.

You may still have questions on SAD Harmonisation and its impact on you. If so, take a look at the SAD-H FAQs on the HMRC web site.

The HMRC has published a very useful guide to classifying your imports and exports, using the right commodity codes for swift clearance. Called Notice 600, this is available to download from the HMRC web site.

Other useful sources of information:

The HM Revenue & Customs National Advice Line: 0845 010 9000

Classification Hotline: 01702 366 077

HM Revenue & Customs web site: www.hmrc.gov.uk

UK Trade Info web site (part of HMRC): www.uktradeinfo.com

Return to top

Coffee Break Story: It's like a jungle

We continue our series of 'coffee break' stories for you. Enjoy!

It's like a jungle - sometimes I wonder how I keep from going under...

First its the school run. That down-to-the-last-second calculated race from home, through the urban rat-run. Ducking and diving, weaving and bobbing, avoiding getting cut-up by some muppet driver or crushed by a bendy-bus.

Now you're stuck half way across the road. No, not at a crossroads - your car is out in the middle of the yellow box, blocking the previously free-flowing traffic from the common end and in danger of copping for a photo and a fine. It's you this time, the dopey driver holding up a mass convoy of grumpy worker drones on the move, and of course, the inevitable haulage professional - the one who's always in the right and most definitely has right of way, or will get it, even if it's not his by right. So it's pistols-at-dawn (or horns anyway) and a barrage of verbal and digital abuse.

So you make like an ignoramus and pretend you don't see or hear anything coming from your right. Tunnel vision with the odd sneaky look to the left every now and then to try a little manoeuvre to jink yourself through into the bus lane. Did I say that? Anyway, by slicing through the eye of a needle with speed and agility, both hands gripping the wheel, a cunning technique that Lewis Hamilton would be so proud of, you dart into the bus lane and spin off to the left.

Your daughter gets to school with just a little time to spare and you take a few moments to catch up with the mums and the odd dad you know - keeping in with the playground talk, the latest gossip. Word at the gate is there's some sort of love triangle going on between the P.E. teacher, science teacher and the new supply French teacher. And the more general stuff like what happened on Eastenders last night, what kid got caught shoplifting from the corner shop and why it's always the same kids getting picked to perform in the school plays. You have your bit to say sometimes but mostly you just listen and take it all in. You know they think you're unemployed because you don't usually have a suit on - it's casual every day at your place. You know certain people want to ask what you do for a living, but they never do, so until then, just keep them guessing. Anyway you give your daughter a goodbye kiss and tell her to be good and you'll catch up with her later when you get home from work.

But today is different. You have got the suit on, you're not going to the office, and you won't be home until after she's gone to bed. You've got a business trip scheduled, a flight booked and a seat with your name on it, destination corporate HQ in Paris. So you'll have to phone her later and wish her good night sleep tight, don't fall out the bed tonight!

So you park your car at the common and run for the train. Just made it, but as usual there's nowhere to sit, everybody squashed like sardines in a can. People puffing and panting, out of breath, others in dire need of a good wash. But you've got to do it. Changing trains is always a nightmare, especially when you're aiming for the line to Heathrow, but at least there's a seat this time. But then the young hoodie gets on and plonks himself down next to you, and for the rest of the journey, you're subjected to the tinny beat-box from his too-loud earphones. You try hard to ignore him, even though what you really want to do is put your foot in his mouth and give him what-for. Instead, you bury your head in the newspaper and grit your teeth.

At Terminal 1, you check-in, just hand-baggage, makes it easy. Then it's off to the coffee bar for a quick snack and a caffeine fix. You're thinking about the meeting ahead by then. You from the UK and your counterparts from France, Belgium and Germany, all convening to learn how some customs clearance outfit proposes to dig you out of a hole, get your shipments through the UK and across Europe in record time and save you money. You found them on the internet a few weeks ago when you were up to your neck in delayed shipments and desperate for a different option. But they claim to be specialists, and they certainly did seem to know what they were talking about when you phoned them. Now it's all heads-together at HQ in Paris to thrash out a way forward for the whole enterprise. Who knows, their team is probably on the same plane, maybe even planning their pitch in the coffee bar. Maybe that's them, over there.

So now you're refreshed and off to the departure gate, boarding the plane, and that's it for an hour or so - newspaper, snooze, maybe a sly cocktail.

In Paris, into the taxi and at last, at HQ. Thank goodness the common business language in your company is English! You find the meeting room, and there's time for a quick briefing before the customs clearance guys show up, bang on time. It was them at the airport coffee bar.

The meeting goes well. They're clear, concise and precise, and you get the facts. They know exactly what they can offer and how it will benefit the business, both now and as things develop in the future. They know how to handle getting your particular brand of products into Europe, using the UK as a gateway; they know about costs, duty rates, duty thresholds, timescales and payment methods. In fact, they know everything and put it across so well, you can only come up with a couple of minor queries at the end.

They leave you and yours to chew things over, but really, it's a done-deal. You knew from the first few minutes that the contract was theirs - it would be foolish not to let these guys handle it. They'd done their homework on your business - and that's a rare thing. They really knew their stuff, and their costs, all things considered, were pretty straight. They'll be getting 'the call' in the morning.

So it's back to Charles de Gaulle courtesy of a mad taxi driver and the scariest circuit of the city centre you've ever experienced. He's so fast, there's even time to pick up a little gift for your daughter and toast the success of the day before catching the flight home in time for a late supper and few minutes of Ugly Betty on the telly before bed.

Return to top