FOB Incoterm (Free on Board) Explained: A UK Guide
What is FOB? FOB, Free on Board, is an Incoterm where the seller delivers goods on board a named vessel at the port of shipment, clears them for export, and bears all costs and risks up to that point. Once the goods are loaded on the vessel, risk and cost transfer to the buyer. FOB […]
DPU Incoterm (Delivered at Place Unloaded) Explained: A UK Guide
What is DPU? DPU, Delivered at Place Unloaded, is the only Incoterm where the seller is responsible for unloading goods at the named destination. The seller arranges and pays for all transport, export customs clearance, and the unloading operation. Risk transfers to the buyer once goods are unloaded. DPU applies to all transport modes and […]
Duty Deferment Account Explained: How to Defer Import Duty and VAT with HMRC
Last updated: June 2026 Table of Contents What Is a Duty Deferment Account? How Duty Deferment Works. The Payment Cycle Who Can Apply for a Duty Deferment Account? How to Apply for a Duty Deferment Account What Duties Can Be Deferred? The Guarantee Requirement. Do You Need One? Duty Deferment and the Guarantee Waiver Duty […]
EORI Number Explained: What It Is, Who Needs One, and How to Register
What is an EORI number? An EORI number. Economic Operators Registration and Identification number, is a unique reference that HMRC assigns to businesses that import or export goods. In the UK, the format is GB followed by 12 digits (for example, GB123456789000). You need an EORI number before you can submit a customs declaration. Without […]
ETD, ETA and Key Shipping Terms Explained: The Abbreviations Every Shipping Coordinator Must Know
Your first week in a shipping role and someone sends you a status update: “ATD confirmed, ETA POD revised, vessel in CY, MBL released.” You have no idea what any of it means. You do not want to ask because everyone seems to expect you to know already. This article is for that moment. It […]
EUR1 Movement Certificate Explained: What It Is and How to Get One for UK-EU Trade
What is an EUR1 certificate? An EUR1 movement certificate is an official document that proves goods originate in the UK to claiming preferential tariff treatment under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). When your EU customer presents a valid EUR1 to their customs authority, they can import your goods at 0% duty instead of […]
Export Customs Clearance Explained: What UK Exporters Need to Do Before Goods Leave the Country
What is export customs clearance? Export customs clearance is the formal process of declaring goods to HMRC before, or when, they leave the UK. It involves filing an export declaration, providing the correct commodity code, and ensuring all required documents are in place. Without clearance, goods cannot lawfully depart the UK. It applies to every […]
EXW Incoterm (Ex Works) Explained: A UK Guide
What is EXW? EXW (Ex Works) is an Incoterm where the seller’s only obligation is to make the goods available at their own premises, their factory, warehouse, or another named place. The buyer arranges everything else: collection, loading, export customs clearance, freight, insurance, and import customs. EXW gives the seller minimum responsibility and places maximum […]
FAS Incoterm — Free Alongside Ship Explained: A UK Guide
What is FAS? Free Alongside Ship (FAS) is an Incoterm where the seller delivers goods by placing them alongside the named vessel at the port of shipment, on the quay or on a barge. Risk transfers to the buyer at that moment. The seller handles export customs clearance; the buyer takes on all costs and […]
Outward Processing Relief (OPR) Explained: How UK Businesses Can Send Goods Abroad for Processing and Bring Them Back at a Reduced Duty Rate
What is OPR? Outward Processing Relief (OPR) is a UK customs procedure that lets businesses temporarily export goods to another country for processing, repair, or manufacturing, and then re-import the finished goods at a reduced rate of import duty. Instead of paying duty on the full value of the re-imported goods, you only pay duty […]