Moving to the UK: how customs works, and the documents to expect
Here's how clearance works on this route: what we lodge, what you supply, and the documents this route typically involves. Your exact list is personal. Once you’ve got your quote we go through your situation with you and instruct the precise pack, not a generic checklist you have to decode.
Customs clearance is included in every quote on this route.
The documents this route typically involves
The UK's VAT and duty relief for bringing your household goods home. The approved ToR carries a URN number from HMRC. It’s part of your document pack: we tell you what it is and how to apply, and approval takes 2 to 6 weeks, so it’s the first thing we check.
Evidence you're leaving one home and setting up another: utility bills, tax bills or a rental agreement in your name in the country you’re leaving, and its equivalent in the UK.
The exact documents for your situation, gone through with you after your quote.
It occasionally happens, and it's the honest part: we spot it early, tell you immediately, and manage it with you.
Your documents are used for customs clearance only, shared solely with the authorities involved, and handled under UK GDPR.
The UK's Transfer of Residence relief: it lets household goods enter the UK without VAT and duty. The approved ToR carries a URN number, and the application is part of your pack.
Household goods moved as part of relocating are typically declared under relief from duty; your pack's declaration claims it. The final call is the authority's, and we manage it with you.
Documents 7 days before your collection window, finalised inventory 3 calendar days before. Both dates are on your booking confirmation.
Bringing an inheritance to the UK rather than moving home? That's its own customs route, with its own documents: see our inheritance page , or just message us.
This route, in facts
Every move into the UK has the same document logic, but weight allowances depend on the country you’re leaving. The figures below are for France to the UK; your quote confirms them for your exact route.
* 5–10m³ travels consolidated with other moves, so its range is widest.
Door-to-door on this route, in either direction: our London crew at the UK end, and a named vetted partner at the other. Every delivery estimate is a range, widest on the smaller loads (5–10m³), which travel consolidated with other moves. We'd rather tell you that now than surprise you later.
Example figures for Paris to London, from our routing and weight tools. Your quote confirms them for your exact addresses.
The weight caps above are enforced limits, not guidance. If packing takes you past yours, telling us early costs the locked-price difference for the bigger size, not an emergency on the day.
What happens otherwise →The whole journey on this route
Customs is a step in the journey, not a mystery at the border. On every move into the UK it’s included and handled by us.
Price locked across all five sizes. 25% deposit; balance on loading day.
Flexible windows you choose. A 15m³ move gives a two-day window.
Goods-in-Transit cover, loading to arrival
Included in your quote and handled by us: export declaration lodged, import clearance managed.
A range at booking, widest on 5/10m³, then a precise time the day before loading.
We move people along this route regularly
Here are the questions this route brings up, and how we answer them.
One WhatsApp thread runs from booking to delivery: your questions, your dates, your updates, all in one place, not a call centre.
Your questions reach a real member of the team, not a bot.
Messages sent outside desk hours (Mon–Sat, 8am–10pm UK time) are still received and read.
Have a question about this route?
Ask it before you book. Photos of what you're moving, an address that's hard to reach, a date that might shift: send it over and we'll tell you straight.
Message us on WhatsApp