If you are temporarily taking goods (such as hand tools) out of the UK with a value over £1500, then you need to have an ATA Carnet. Below this value, you can just make a Temporary Admission oral declaration.

ATA Carnet

Sometimes referred to as a 'passport for goods', an ATA Carnet is an international document that allows the temporary export and import of non-perishable goods for up to one year. This includes things such as tools of the trade, exhibition equipment and commercial samples.

Check out our How To Use an ATA Carnet guide.

If you are taking consumables like nails, screws and welding rods you need clearance but can claim Returned Goods Relief (RGR) on goods coming back.

Temporary Admission

For Temporary Admission, the inventory of hand tools must be listed including quantities, descriptions and values. Total value must not exceed €5,000.

Examples of hand tools

• Hammers, mallets
• Screwdrivers (flat, Phillips sets)
• Wrenches, spanners (adjustable)
• Pliers (needle-nose, cutting)
• Hand saws, hacksaws
• Chisels, files
• Bolt cutters, wire strippers
• Tape measures, spirit levels
• Cordless drill + bits
• Toolboxes/bags

NOT classed as hand tools

• Generators
• Supplies/materials (e.g. nails, paint etc)

That depends on whether you are importing or exporting, and which country you are importing to/exporting from.

For GB & IE imports and exports, get in touch with one of our customs experts today. 

A Safety & Security Declaration (SSD) or Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) is used by border authorities to analyse the potential risk caused to their territory by goods crossing their border. It is not about the duties and taxes.

Find out more about SSD (ENS)

A transport contract is an agreement between two parties for the movement of goods from one place to another, whether it is written or verbal agreement.

It normally involves a carrier (the person or company transporting the goods) but could include hire vehicles and a shipper (the person or company sending the goods).

For accompanied loads

• OWN GOODS + OWN VEHICLE = NO TRANSPORT CONTRACT
• OWN GOODS + HIRE VEHICLE = TRANSPORT CONTRACT
• OTHER PERSONS GOODS + OWN VEHICLE = TRANSPORT CONTRACT
• OTHER PERSONS GOODS + HIRE VEHICLE = TRANSPORT CONTRACT

For unaccompanied loads

• OWN GOODS + OWN VEHICLE = TRANSPORT CONTRACT (due to the ferry being the active means of transport)
• OWN GOODS + HIRE VEHICLE = TRANSPORT CONTRACT
• OTHER PERSONS GOODS + OWN VEHICLE = TRANSPORT CONTRACT
• OTHER PERSONS GOODS + HIRE VEHICLE = TRANSPORT CONTRACT

Examples for ATA Carnets and Oral Declaration accompanied movements

ATA Carnet

No ENS Needed - If you are using an ATA Carnet for temporary admission of goods and you are not moving the goods under a transport contract (for example, you are personally accompanying your own goods or driving your own vehicle), an ENS is not required.

ENS Required - If the goods covered by an ATA Carnet are moved under a transport contract - you have engaged a commercial carrier, haulier, or shipping company (whether by written or verbal agreement) to transport the goods for you - then an ENS must be lodged.

Oral Declaration - e.g. empty pallets/trailers

No ENS Needed - Oral declarations at the border (or declarations by conduct, e.g. empty pallets) if the goods are NOT being moved under a transport contract. This means you are transporting your own goods yourself.

ENS Required - If the goods are being carried by a transport company (i.e. under a transport contract), even if they otherwise qualify for oral or by conduct declaration. You must submit an ENS declaration in these case.

A United Nations (UN) number is a four-digit number which is used to identify a specific hazardous material or article. These article require a licence of shipment.

UN Numbers range from 0004 - 3548 and are the same world wide. To find your good's UN number, check out the full list here.

There is no UN number issued for non-hazardous goods.

S&S GB (Safety & Security Great Britain) is the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) service for goods imported into Great Britain from the EU and RoW. This is now a legal requirement. Businesses who are ready to start submitting S&S declarations before this date are encouraged to do so. Find out more

To ensure flexibility when moving goods out of Great Britain via the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel there is a dual Freight Location Code (FLC) that should be used. This will help to avoid errors within the Goods Movement Reference (GMR).

For example: If the export declaration is created using Dover’s FLC but the driver then travels through Eurotunnel using a GMR with the Eurotunnel FLC, it will contain errors.

If the driver checks-in without correcting the errors, the GMR will be invalid, and the driver will be turned away until these errors are corrected.

Hauliers, drivers, or logistics companies must -

• ensure your supply chain and, in particular, the trader, intermediary or declarant, know which border location you will be leaving from
• make sure you check that they have used the dual FLC if you’re exiting via Dover or Eurotunnel.
• make sure you have a process in place to contact the declarant, in case of an error within the GMR so they can correct the declaration.

Traders, exporters, intermediaries, or customs agents must -

• ensure you know which border location your haulier, driver or logistics company will be using to exit Great Britain with your goods
• use the dual FLC if your goods are leaving via Dover or Eurotunnel.

If there’s a chance the driver may change their routing after the declarations have been created, we suggest using the dual FLC for Dover/Eurotunnel to avoid any potential errors or delays.

Yes, CustomsLink can complete a customs declaration for you using our Managed Customs Clearance service. Speak to our team about your requirements.