| Customs Clearance & Controls | | | | - The air waybill - for air freight |
| Many organizations have an interest in UK border | | | | - The bill of lading - for sea freight |
| controls. These include HM Revenue & | | | | - The CMR consignment note - for road freight |
| Customs (HMRC), the Rural Payments Agency | | | | How these documents are issued may differ; as |
| (RPA) and the Department for Environment, Food | | | | such the freight forwarder needs to be familiar |
| and Rural Affairs (Defra). Cerain products entering | | | | with each different type of document and their |
| the UK are subject to licensing and control – | | | | respective procedures. They should also |
| one of the main roles of the freight forwarder is | | | | understand the different types of documentation |
| to ensure that these controls are adhered to | | | | relating to customs clearance at the point of |
| when arranging customs clearance. | | | | import and export. |
| In order to be able to do this effectively, the | | | | Export Packaging & Materials |
| freight forwarder needs sufficient funds available | | | | Ensuring that the goods for export are packed |
| to handle duty and taxes payments, as well as | | | | correctly requires specialist knowledge and is a |
| specific software in order to communicate with | | | | service often offered by freight forwarders. |
| HMRC, as nearly all the HMRC functions are | | | | When deciding on the type of packaging to be |
| electronic. | | | | used, as well as ensuring that the goods are |
| Some freight forwarders will subcontract out the | | | | received in the same condition as when they left |
| customs clearance of goods to specialist | | | | the consignor, factory or warehouse, the freight |
| organizations; for those who wish to offer it as | | | | forwarder also needs to consider the ease of |
| part of their services it is essential that they have | | | | handling, the potential risks during transit, plus |
| an annual subscription to the Integrated Tariff of | | | | protection from unauthorized access. |
| the United Kingdom. This is a 3 volume publication | | | | The freight forwarder also needs to consider the |
| available either in printed format, on disc, or online. | | | | materials used in packaging the consignment. |
| The Tariff provides guidance on customs | | | | Wood for example is subject to international |
| procedure, the necessary documentation and the | | | | legislation, with many countries requiring |
| classification of different types of goods in the UK | | | | certificates proving that the wood has been |
| and is available from The Stationery Office (TSO), | | | | fumigated. Countries such as New Zealand, |
| as well as major libraries and customs advice | | | | Australia and China have particularly strict controls |
| centres. | | | | on the use and type of packing materials used. |
| In addition to the Tariff there is also the European | | | | Not being aware of these controls could prove |
| Union Customs Code and the Official Journal of | | | | extremely costly if a consignment has to be |
| the European Communities which are the | | | | returned to the point of origin for repackaging. A |
| definitive legislation regarding international trade | | | | freight forwarder will be able to advise you of |
| regulations and have precedence over UK | | | | any restrictions on the use of packaging as well |
| regulations. | | | | as any legislation regarding the safe disposal of |
| The UK Trade Tariff | | | | any packaging materials used. |
| The UK Trade Tariff is an online tool that | | | | Regulations For The Movement Of Dangerous |
| provides free access to information on taxes and | | | | Goods |
| levies, rebates, restrictions and other relevant | | | | The transportation of dangerous or hazardous |
| information imports to and exports from the EU. | | | | goods is governed by both national and |
| For further information, refer to our guide on | | | | international legislation. Although a freight |
| using the UK Trade Tariff. | | | | forwarder might not actually come into contact |
| Documentation For International Trade | | | | with the actual goods, they need to recognize |
| Well ordered, accurate documentation is an | | | | them when presented for carriage and |
| essential requirement for international trade. The | | | | understand the necessary documents required |
| freight forwarder will know the exact | | | | and packaging standards. |
| documentation required depending upon the goods | | | | Due to the number of products which have a |
| to be moved and the origin and destination. | | | | danger classification it is not always possible to |
| When organizing the movement of goods, the | | | | recognize them from their product name alone. |
| freight forwarder will require clear instructions | | | | As such it is the manufacturer or shipper who has |
| from the importer or exporter well in advance of | | | | prime responsibility for the correct classification, |
| the goods being moved. To avoid dispute these | | | | packing and documentation of dangerous or |
| should be provided in writing via email or fax. Any | | | | hazardous goods. If however the freight |
| documentation will normally be handed over to | | | | forwarder is handling the products then they |
| the driver collecting the goods, which is standard | | | | should be aware of the various classifications and |
| practice for both sea freight and air freight. | | | | procedures surrounding their movement. |
| Other documentation required will include | | | | The British International Freight Association (BIFA) |
| commercial invoices, packing lists and any | | | | conducts a number of specialist training courses |
| appropriate licenses, particularly with respect to | | | | on the legislation and procedures regarding |
| any hazardous goods. | | | | dangerous goods, a list of which is available on the |
| Each mode of transport has its own specific | | | | BIFA website. |
| document of carriage: | | | | |