Customs duties
Customs duties
Since the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, customs formalities between France and England have become considerably more complex. At the heart of this cross-Channel trade are customs duties, which represent a major challenge for economic operators.
Understanding how they work is essential to anticipate import costs, secure the flow of goods and comply with post-Brexit regulations.
This page helps you to better understand what customs duties mean in this context, what they are used for and how they apply between the two sides of the Channel.
What are customs duties?
Customs duties are taxes levied on goods imported from a third country. Each country, or customs union such as the EU, has its own tariff regime, intended to regulate international trade. The main objective of customs duties is to restore a balance between imported products and those from the local market, by compensating for the competitiveness gap by taxing entry into the country.
In other words, this measure makes it possible to give a tariff advantage to a domestic product over a foreign product, in order to preserve local production.
Customs duties usually take the form of a percentage applied to the customs value of the product. This value is defined as the price actually paid or payable for the goods, plus additional costs such as transport, insurance or handling costs to the point of entry into the customs territory.
The amount of duties due therefore depends on the nature of the product (identified by its customs nomenclature), its origin and its declared value.
These elements are essential for the correct preparation of the import customs declaration.
Customs duties between France and the United Kingdom
Since 1st January 2021, the United Kingdom has officially left the EU, ending the free movement of goods between the two territories.
This new configuration has profoundly changed the rules applicable to cross-Channel trade: each flow of goods between UK and EU is now subject to full customs formalities, including the potential payment of customs duties, depending on the trade agreement in force, the origin of the products and their tariff classification.
In this context, many economic operators are faced with specific obligations: goods' identification, customs codification, calculation of duties and taxes, management of security documents (ENS), compliance with transmission deadlines, etc.
These steps, which are now essential, require a perfect mastery of customs procedures.
Where to find and contact us?
A team of professionals present on the Côte d'Opale coast is at your disposal at the Port of Calais (O3 car park), at the Tunnel as well as at the Calais Truck Stop car park.
ASA Brexit & Transit
ASA Shipping Agency
ASA Assistance Port 24/7 SIVEP
