Personal effects and hand tools
Information about personal effects and hand tools that are carried by an employee.
Personal effects and hand tools that are carried by an employee do not need to be included on a Customs Declaration Service (CDS) declaration, g-form or National Maritime Single Window service (FAL) or General Aviation Report (GAR) form. They can be declared simply by being carried by the owner or person using them onto the vessel or aircraft when going to work on or returning from an installation.
Personal effects can include clothing, personal toiletries, personal protective equipment, personal electronics (for example, a laptop, phone), prescription medication (carrying a copy of the prescription or a Doctor’s letter is advised).
Hand tools are tools or equipment usually owned by the employee or issued to them personally, for example hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, painting equipment, small power tools such as power drills or screwdrivers.
Goods transported in someone’s baggage or a small vehicle that do not fall into the category of personal effects may also be declared using the Merchandise in Baggage service. Read Taking commercial goods out of Great Britain in your baggage or Bringing commercial goods into Great Britain in your baggage for more information.
Personal effects or tools being moved as freight (for example, on a support vessel while the owner is flying) must be declared to customs. These goods are highly likely to be eligible for Returned Goods Relief (RGR) and the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) declaration by conduct process. If so, the goods can be included on a g-form submission and described simply as personal effects or hand tools.