Customs Broker Fees Explained: How Much Does a Customs Broker Cost in the UK?
Table of Contents What Is a Customs Broker? What Does a Customs Broker Actually Do? How Much Does a Customs Broker Cost in the UK? Customs Broker Fee Types: A Complete Breakdown The Customs Entry Fee, Your Biggest Cost Additional Line Fees, When You Have Multiple Products Port Handling and Examination Fees Document Handling Fees […]
Dangerous Goods Shipping Explained: Classes, Regulations, and What UK Shippers Need to Know
If you are new to shipping and you have just discovered that your goods might be classified as dangerous, do not panic. This article explains everything you need to know, in plain English, so you can move forward with confidence and stay on the right side of the law. Dangerous goods shipping is one of […]
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 […]
Freight Forwarding Scams Explained: How to Spot and Avoid Shipping Fraud
Freight forwarding scams cost UK businesses millions of pounds every year. The International Chamber of Commerce estimates that trade-related fraud runs into billions globally, and the UK is not immune. For someone new to shipping, handling supplier relationships, booking freight, and managing documentation, these scams are a real and present danger. This article explains exactly […]
UK Trade Preferences Explained: How GSP and DCTS Reduce Import Duty on Goods from Developing Countries
If you import goods into the UK from developing countries, you may be able to pay less, or even zero, import duty. The UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) makes this possible. It replaced the old UK rollover of the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) in 2023 and is now one of the most […]
HS Codes Explained: How to Find and Use Commodity Codes for UK Imports and Exports
What is an HS code? An HS code, short for Harmonized System code, is a standardised numerical classification used in international trade to identify goods. The first six digits are the same in every country that uses the system, covering over 200 nations worldwide. In the UK, the full commodity code has ten digits and […]
Letter of Credit Explained: How LC Payment Works in International Trade
What is a letter of credit? A letter of credit (LC) is a written guarantee issued by a bank on behalf of the buyer. It promises to pay the seller a set amount of money, provided the seller presents documents that match the LC terms exactly. The bank pays, not the buyer directly. That guarantee […]
Marine Cargo Insurance Explained: What It Covers, What It Costs, and Whether You Need It
What is marine cargo insurance? Marine cargo insurance is a policy that covers physical loss or damage to goods while they are in transit, by sea, air, road, or rail. It protects the owner of the goods (or whoever bears the risk under the Incoterm agreed) against financial loss if a shipment is lost, damaged, […]
Rules of Origin Explained: What They Are and Why They Matter for UK-EU and International Trade
What are rules of origin? Rules of origin are the criteria used in international trade to determine the “economic nationality” of goods, in other words, which country a product genuinely “comes from” for trade purposes. They decide whether goods qualify for reduced or zero duty under a free trade agreement, and they underpin a wide […]