Guidance

Check if you can claim enhanced structures and buildings allowance relief in UK Freeport tax sites

Find out if you can claim enhanced structures and buildings allowance relief on qualifying expenditure on structures and buildings in a UK Freeport tax site.

Where we refer to a ‘Freeport’ on this page, this also applies to ‘Green Freeports in Scotland’ unless otherwise stated.

A Freeport tax site is an area of land where businesses can claim certain tax reliefs. They’re independent and separately authorised from Freeport customs sites, but they can cover the same area of land.

Find out more about Freeports.

You can claim enhanced structures and buildings allowance relief when you incur qualifying expenditure on structures and buildings in a designated Freeport tax site.

The relief can be claimed for expenditure incurred from the date a Freeport tax site is designated until 30 September 2026.

You can find out which categories of expenditure are, or are not eligible for structures and building allowance. Read the guidance on claiming capital allowances for structures and buildings.

Check which sites are designated Freeport tax sites.

How to qualify

You must meet the requirements for claiming capital allowances on structures and buildings and the following conditions you must:

  • begin construction on the building or structure when it’s in a Freeport tax site (construction begins when you enter into the first contract)
  • bring the building or structure into qualifying use when it’s in a Freeport tax site and on or before 30 September 2026
  • incur the qualifying expenditure on the building or structure when it’s in a Freeport tax site and on or before 30 September 2026
  • be registered for either:
    • Corporation Tax
    • Income Tax

How to apportion the relief

You must apportion the relief between either the:

This apportionment will take place when either:

  • part of the building or structure is out of the Freeport tax site
  • you bring part of a structure or building into qualifying use after 30 September 2026

How much relief you can claim

You can claim 10% of the Freeport qualifying expenditure each year if you meet all the required conditions.

You can make a claim for the relief for 10 years from the allowance period start date.

The allowance period start date is the later of when the:

  • building or structure is first used for a non-residential purpose
  • qualifying expenditure is incurred

Examples of relief you can claim

Example 1

You built a warehouse costing £1,200,000 in a Freeport tax site. All contracts for construction were entered into after the date the Freeport tax site was designated.

The warehouse was completed on 22 March 2024 and you started to use it in your logistics business from 1 April 2024. You prepare accounts for each year ending on 31 March.

In the chargeable period to 31 March 2025, you can claim 10% for the year.

10% × £1,200,000 = £120,000

Total claim £120,000 for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Example 2

You built a factory costing £2,000,000 which was 60% in a Freeport tax site and 40% in an area which is not a Freeport tax site. All contracts for construction were entered into after the date the Freeport tax site was designated.

The factory was completed on 13 July 2023 and you started to use it in your manufacturing business from 1 August 2023. You prepare accounts for each year ending on 31 July.

In the chargeable period to 31 July 2024, you can claim 10% a year on 60% of the expenditure and 3% a year on 40% of the expenditure.

60% of £2,000,000 = £1,200,000
40% of £2,000,000 = £800,000
10% of £1,200,000 = £120,000
Plus 3% of £800,000 = £24,000

Total claim £144,000 for the year ended 31 July 2024.

How to claim relief

You must have an allowance statement to claim the relief and this must state:

  • that you want the qualifying expenditure to be Freeport qualifying expenditure
  • the amount of Freeport qualifying expenditure

You can find more information about an allowance statement and how to claim in the how to claim section in Claiming capital allowances for structures and buildings.

Published 12 November 2021
Last updated 29 March 2023 + show all updates
  1. Welsh translation added.

  2. First published.