Export Shipping Documents
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Whether you are an exporter or a freight forwarder, we can assist you with the certification and legalisation of your export documentation in order to clear customs overseas.
As the U.K’s largest consular documentation provider, we specialise in raising Certificates of Origin, liaising with Chambers of Commerce and obtaining any required Embassy stamps. We can assist you every step of the way, providing advice on proof of origin and country requirements, in addition to information on how to claim preferential duty rates or collating documents for banking purposes when your customer payments are made by Letter of Credit.
We offer a range of Chamber certification services to suit your needs – we can raise documents on your behalf or you can utilise our userfriendly documentation platform, Quickcert, where you can apply for, and print off documents from the comfort of your own desk. All of our documents are treated as urgent, however you can also visit our offices in person where a member the London Chamber Certification Dept will be happy to stamp your document/s while you wait.
If you require Embassy legalisation, our own couriers lodge and collect at the relevant departments on a daily basis, and we can even return completed documents directly to your offices if you are located in one of our many collection/delivery areas, or we can forward them to any requested third party worldwide.
Documents we process on a daily basis include:- U.K Certificates of Origin
- Arab-British Certificates of Origin
- EUR-1s & ATR-1s
- Company Contracts/Agreements
- Price Lists
Certificate of Origin
A Certificate of Origin is an internationally recognised export document which is used to declare the origin of exported goods to customs in the importing country. Before exportation, the Certificate of Origin must be certified by a Chamber of Commerce and, depending on the importing country, may also require Embassy Legalisation. A Certificate of Origin may be used to assign rates of import duty and to confirm the country of origin of the exported items.
There are three types of Certificate of Origin:
- U.K Certificate of Origin
- Arab-British Certificate of Origin
- Bahrain Certificate of Origin
The type of Certificate required will depend on the importing country and individual customer requirements.
We offer various processing options for the issuance of Certificates of Origin, including a one-hour electronic certification service via our online platform, Quickcert, or a comprehensive document preparation service. To discuss our services further, please telephone our Sales Team on +44 (0) 1784 254123 or please use our online contact form.
U.K Certificates of Origin
A U.K Certificate of Origin is a shipping document which is used to evidence the country of origin of goods being exported. The document is a commercial or customs clearance requirement, and the main purpose of the certificate is to establish the rate of import duty payable in the importing country.
Each certificate issued will require certification by a Chamber of Commerce. We operate an in-house Chamber of Commerce service in partnership with the London Chamber of Commerce, enabling us to offer our clients instant document certification. In addition to Chamber certification, Embassy legalisation may be required for some markets. We can arrange this where required.
A European Community Certificate of Origin can be issued for any country worldwide and can be issued in as little as one hour using our online platform, Quickcert.
Please contact our Sales team on +44 (0) 1784 254123 or please use our online contact form for further information.
Arab-British Certificate of Origin
An Arab-British Certificate of Origin is a shipping document which is used to evidence the country of origin of goods being exported to Arab League countries. The primary purpose of the certificate is to establish the rate of import duty payable in the importing country. A Certificate can be issued for the following countries:
- Algeria
- Bahrain
- Djibouti
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tunisia
- UAE
- Yemen
The Certificate will be certified by the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce and will usually also require Embassy legalisation. We work closely with the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce and all foreign consulates in London to ensure the prompt processing of documentation.
Applications for an Arab-British Certificate of Origin can be made using our online platform, Quickcert, which allows users to secure Chamber certification on a same day service, or by using our comprehensive document preparation service.
Please contact our Sales team on +44 (0) 1784 254123 or please use our online contact form to discuss your export documentation requirements.
Bahrain Certificates of Origin
International shipments to Bahrain should be accompanied by a legalised Certificate of Origin, which has been issued on a Bahraini Certificate of Origin. The document will be used by customs in Bahrain to ascertain the correct rates of duty payable. Once the document has been issued, it will be legalised by the Bahrain Embassy.
Applications for a Bahrain Certificate of Origin can be made using our online platform, Quickcert, or by using our comprehensive document preparation service.
Please contact our Sales team on +44 (0) 1784 254123 or please use our online contact form to discuss your export documentation requirements
Customs Declarations
From January 2021, all shipments which are exported from or imported to the U.K will need to be declared to HMRC by way of filing a Customs Declaration. The Declaration will give Customs a complete view of the shipment, which allows them to assess the security and safety elements of the goods being shipped, and calculate and collect any duty payable during the import/export process.
We offer a complete, end-to-end service for the filing of Customs Declarations, allowing exporters of all sizes to handle their Customs Declaration requirements alongside any other documentary requirements, and providing Freight Forwarders with an overspill service for the administrative processes involved.
To discuss our services further, please telephone our Sales Team on +44 (0) 1784 254123 or please use our online contact form.
EUR-1
An EUR1 certificate, also known as a Movement Certificate, is a type of export document which allows the exportation of goods at a reduced or nil rate of duty between countries which participate in the scheme. The goods being shipped under a EUR1 must originate from the U.K, and the preference system only applies to countries where trade agreements exist. Without an EUR-1, the full rate of import duty would be payable.
The following countries are participants of the EUR1 scheme:
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Barbados
- Belize
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Iceland
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Lebanon
- Liechtenstein
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Palestine
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent & The
- Grenadines
- Seychelles
- South Korea
- Southern African Customs
- Union
- Switzerland
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Tunisia
Once an EUR1 has been issued, it will be stamped by a Chamber of Commerce, acting as an agent for HMRC. We operate an in-house Chamber of Commerce service in partnership with the London Chamber of Commerce, enabling us to arrange for EUR1’s to be instantly stamped. EUR1’s can be applied for using our online platform, Quickcert, which enables our clients to obtain their EUR1 certificates within an hour. Alternatively, we can produce an EUR1 certificate on our client’s behalf through our document preparation service. To discuss our services further, please telephone our Sales Team on +44 (0) 1784 254123 or please use our online contact form.
ATA Carnet Service
An ATA Carnet, also known as a Passport for Goods, is an international export document which permits exporters to temporarily export goods to other counties who participate in the scheme on a duty-free basis while avoiding other lengthy customs formalities. ATA Carnets also enable simplified customs clearance, by allowing a single document to be used for clearing shipments through customs, rather than following full customs guidance. Each Carnet can be used for multiple trips and is usually valid for one year.
Goods which can be covered by an ATA Carnet are:
- Commercial samples
- Professional equipment or goods which are going to be used at an exhibition/trade show
- Professional equipment
Over fifty countries are members of the ATA Carnet scheme, allowing exporters simplified temporary exports to:
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Australia
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Canada
- Canary Islands
- Chile
- China
- Cote D’Ivoire
- European Union
- Faroe Islands
- Gibraltar
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel
- Ivory Coast
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Korea
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Macao
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Namibia
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Qatar
- Russia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- UAE
- USA
We offer a complete ATA Carnet preparation service, including arranging certification from our in-house Chamber of Commerce service, in partnership with the London Chamber of Commerce, enabling us to arrange for ATA Carnets to be instantly stamped.
To discuss our services further, please telephone our Sales Team on +44 (0) 1784 254123 or please use our online contact form.
How long will it take?
We can provide a 24 hour standard service or a two hour express service.
What is a Carnet and why might I need one?
The Carnet is a temporary export document that eliminates the need for a Customs declaration at border points and the deposit of a guarantee, bond, or cash deposit in the country of temporary importation. It can be used for a trip covering more than one country and include numerous exits and re-entries in the country of origin during the period of validity of the document (i.e. one year)
Are there any specific requirements/limitations for certain carnet countries?
Yes. Please refer to the reverse of the Security Rate Chart.
Why do I have to provide a security?
The Carnet provides a guarantee to the Customs of a foreign country into which the goods are temporarily imported that all duties, taxes etc will be paid to them if the conditions under which they allow these into the country are breached.
Do I have to be a member of the London Chamber to have a Carnet?
No, as Blairs are the designated agent of the London Chamber we can process all the paperwork on your behalf.
Can I sell off a Carnet?
No. You sign an Undertaking with us to undertake to bring the goods back to the EU and failure to do could result in a payment of duty, taxes, administrative charges, as well as a penalty.
Can I put consumable goods on a Carnet?
No. Everything on a Carnet must be returned to the EC.
What information do you require?
Apart from your company details the most important part of a Carnet is the List of Goods. All the goods must be individually itemised with each item having its specific description (i.e. serial number etc) to facilitate Customs identification and prevent substitution of goods. Only the items with identical description can be grouped together. Blairs can prepare the paperwork on your behalf if required.
Are there any Customs prohibitions and restrictions?
The use of an ATA Carnet rather than customs documentation makes no difference to the need to meet Customs requirements for restricted and prohibited goods nor does it remove the requirements of licensing controls. Information regarding prohibited and restricted goods can be found in the Tariff, Volume 1, Parts 3 and 4. For information on export licensing, please contact: The UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Licensing Unit at [email protected]
Can I get ‘Extra Vouchers’?
Yes. Additional vouchers can be obtained from the issuing office with a repeat fee payable.
Can I extend the validity of a Carnet? (Replacement)
No, but you can obtain a Replacement Carnet subject to written consent from the host Customs Authority. This must be submitted to the Issuing Chamber together with a new set of forms, issuing fee and security.
What happens if I lose my Carnet whilst valid? (Substitute)
You can obtain a substitute Carnet which will be identical to the original Carnet. A repeat fee and security will apply.
What happens if I lose my Carnet whilst valid? (Substitute)
You can obtain a substitute Carnet which will be identical to the original Carnet. A repeat fee and security will apply.
Can I add extra items to the Carnet list?
No. Once a Carnet has been issued no extra items can be added to the list of goods.
My carnet has been issued but I’m not taking all the items with me
Any combination of items on the General List may be taken, however, you must ensure that only the items that have been taken are declared on the relevant Carnet vouchers / counterfoils. In cases of split consignments you must ensure that your Carnet contains a sufficient number of vouchers for the planned movements.
What happens if my goods are lost or stolen?
If goods are covered by a Carnet are lost or stolen, the matter should be immediately reported to the Customs Authorities in the country where it occurred, together with a police report for insurance purposes as Customs charges will apply due to non re-exportation.
Can my goods be destroyed under Customs control?
Some Customs Authorities may allow goods to be destroyed under their control. This process must be reflected on the re-exportation counterfoil and the voucher must be retained by the host Customs. It should be noted that Customs charges may still apply.
Do I have to come in person to arrange the Carnet?
No. You can apply online, but we welcome clients to pop in in person!
How do I authorise someone to apply for and use the Carnet on my behalf?
A Carnet may be issued in the name of an individual or a company who must be permanently resident in the United Kingdom. However, it may be used by any person provided the user carries a letter from the named holder authorising such use (see example of letter on our website). The holder may also allow an Agent to handle the Carnet through the customs on his behalf, again provided that the Agent holds a Letter of Authority. Box B should contain the statement: “Any Authorised Person”.
What does Goods in Free Circulation mean?
In accordance with EEC Regulations 2913/92 and 2454/93, the Carnet will be issued in the European Community only for Community goods. N.B. Goods should be re-exported without having undergone processing or repair, except normal depreciation due to the use made of them. Normal Customs documentation must be used for the exportation of goods by post. For this purpose Community goods mean goods: A)obtained in the EC B)released to free circulation, or C)obtained or produced in the EC, either from goods referred to in B) or from A) and B).
Can I use a Carnet for transit alone?
In principle the use of an ATA Carnet to cover transit operations only cannot be authorised as it was created for the purpose of temporary admission. Nevertheless, we are exceptionally allowed to cover a transit movement through Switzerland between two member states.
How much will all this cost?
Call us now for a competitive quote. As London Chamber of Commerce agents we can offer you great savings over other Chamber prices.
Combined Certificate of Value and Origin (CCVO)
A Combined Certificate of Value and Origin (CCVO) is an international export document which is used for all shipments which are sent to Nigeria. The document is used to prove the origin and value of goods being exported for customs clearance purposes.
We offer a complete CCVO preparation service, including arranging certification from our in-house Chamber of Commerce service, in partnership with the London Chamber of Commerce, enabling us to arrange for CCVO’s to be instantly stamped. To discuss our services further, please telephone our Sales Team on +44 (0) 1784 254123 or please use our online contact form.
