Take goods temporarily out of Great Britain
Declare your goods
Depending on what the goods are, you might be able to use a simpler type of declaration, for example:
- make a ‘declaration by conduct’ (walk or drive goods through a customs point)
- make an oral declaration (speak to a customs officer)
- use an ATA Carnet (a document that works like a passport for goods)
Some kinds of goods can only be declared using certain types of declaration - check before you travel.
If your items need a licence, you cannot make a declaration by conduct or oral declaration.
If you cannot or do not want to use any of these methods, you’ll need to do a full customs declaration.
Make a declaration by conduct
Check whether your items are on the oral and by conduct list.
You can only use a declaration by conduct with ‘accompanied items’ (items that are carried through customs, rather than shipped).
To make a declaration by conduct when you leave or enter Great Britain, do one of the following:
- go through a customs control point (this can be a green channel signed ‘nothing to declare’) carrying the items
- drive (or be driven) past a customs control point with the items inside your vehicle
- continue your onward journey, if there are no customs control points
There’s no fee to make this type of declaration. You will not need to fill in any forms.
You can give permission for someone else (for example, a haulier) to make a declaration by conduct on your behalf.
Make an oral declaration
Check whether your items are on the oral and by conduct list.
You should also check whether the port you’re leaving or re-entering in Great Britain allows oral declarations
You can only make oral declarations for ‘accompanied items’ (items that are carried through customs, rather than shipped).
Make an oral declaration in Great Britain by speaking to a customs officer when you leave and re-enter (usually through the red channel at the port signed ‘goods to declare’, or through a red point phone).
You might need to fill in some customs forms on the day, if the customs officer asks you to.
There’s no fee to make this type of declaration.
You can give permission for someone else (for example, a haulier) to make an oral declaration on your behalf.
Use an ATA Carnet
Check whether you can use an ATA Carnet with your items.
You should also check whether the country you’re entering:
- accepts ATA Carnets
- will let you bring your specific goods in with an ATA carnet - check with the country’s carnet issuer on the International Chamber of Commerce website
Get your ATA Carnet endorsed whenever you go through customs. You’ll show it in place of filling in import and export declarations.
An ATA Carnet usually costs £310 plus VAT. It’s £185 plus VAT for members of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. You’ll also need to pay a security deposit.
You’ll need to list the items and the countries you plan to move items to.
An ATA Carnet lasts for 1 year. You can use it as many times as you like within that time.
Find out how to apply for an ATA Carnet.
Someone else can use an ATA Carnet on your behalf.
Declaring goods in other countries
Most countries let you import goods on a temporary basis (‘Temporary Admission’) and claim relief from customs duties.
They might have different rules to Great Britain about what you can move using which method. For example, some countries do not allow oral declarations.
Over 80 countries accept ATA carnets.
Before you travel, check with customs in the country that you’re travelling to.
Duplicate Lists
You may be able to use a Duplicate List to move the goods out of Great Britain and claim Returned Goods Relief when you return.
Find out about claiming relief for exporting goods using a Duplicate List.
It’s not recognised in any other countries - you’ll need to declare the goods another way and pay any duties owed.