Declarations and freight movements
This section explains the different ways goods can be declared to UK customs when being moved for international events.
It focuses on three main declaration types:
- declaration by conduct is made at the border
- oral declaration is made directly to Border Force
- electronic declaration is submitted through Customs Declaration Service (CDS)
If you are making electronic declarations, you may want to consider appointing a customs agent. You can find out how you can hire a person or business to deal with customs for you.
A customs declaration by conduct is a simplified way of declaring goods to UK customs. The physical movement of eligible goods across the border may constitute a declaration. Be aware that this is not available for prohibited or restricted goods. Border Force may still request additional information or documentation. You can read more information about Commodity-specific requirements in this handbook.
An individual can make a declaration by conduct by:
- walking through a customs control point (this can be a green channel signed ‘nothing to declare’) with the goods, if you’re an individual on foot
- driving, or being driven, past a customs control point with the goods inside your vehicle, if you’re importing or exporting goods in a vehicle
- continuing your onward journey, if there are no customs control points
A declaration by conduct cannot be made if another form of customs declaration has been made to declare the goods. For example, an electronic customs declaration to declare goods into the free circulation procedure.
An oral declaration may be made to a Border Force officer at the red channel or through the red point phone for certain low value, non-controlled goods intended for temporary use. Travellers should be ready to provide proof of quantity, value, intended use, and reexport plans, along with relevant invoices and the form C108 inventory when required. Oral declarations are not permitted at some locations.
There are certain specific categories of goods that may be declared orally or by conduct at the point of import or export which can be viewed in the list of goods applicable to oral and by conduct declarations.
Only goods explicitly listed are eligible for declaration by these methods. No other goods may be declared orally or by conduct.
All standard import and export declarations are made through the CDS. CDS records the movement of goods by land, air and sea. It allows importers, exporters and freight forwarders to complete customs formalities electronically and automatically checks for entry errors. Read more information and guidance on completing a declaration using the service.