Learn more how to import goods into the UK from the European Union, as well as how to claim preferential treatment for your imports and how to prove origin. This applies to companies in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Poland.
Claiming Preferential Treatment
According to the free trade agreement, importers who want to claim preferential treatment for a product entering the European Union from the United Kingdom must rely on a statement of origin proving that the product originates from the United Kingdom. The same applies to a product being imported into the United Kingdom from the European Union.
In light of this new agreement, we advise our customers to use an exporter’s Statement on Origin. Using a Statement on Origin makes it easier for the importer to prove origin to the Customs Authorities. It is enough, in the first place, to hand over the exporter's statement. Should Customs Authorities require further proof of origin, they will request this directly from the exporter.
Requirements for a Statement on Origin
A Statement on Origin needs to be created by the exporter of the product. This statement can be put on an invoice or any other commercial document accompanying the product, clearly describing it as a Statement on origin so that it can be easily identified.
The text should read as follows (without the numbers and footnotes):
(Period: from___________ to __________ (1))
The exporter of the products covered by this document (Exporter Reference No ... (2)) declares that,
except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of ... (3) preferential origin.
…………………………………………………………….............................................
(4)
(Place and date)
…………………………………………………………….............................................
(Name of the exporter)
1> In case of multiple shipments of the same product mention the period in which the products are shipped here
2> For the United Kingdom exporter this is the exporter’s EORI number. For the European Union exporter this the exporter’s Registered Exporter (REX) number.
3> United Kingdom or Union, depending on where you are exporting from
4> Place and date need to be mentioned if they are not on the document that shows this text.
A Statement on Origin applies either to a single shipment of one or more products, or to multiple shipments of identical products. A Statement on Origin cannot be valid for more than 12 months.
The exporter is responsible for the accuracy of the statement and for providing the Customs Authorities with the necessary evidence to support the claim. Such evidence may include information confirming the declared origin of the product, including details of the source of materials used in its production.
Additional Information for our Dutch Customers
The Dutch Customs Authority has issued an instruction on how to import preferential goods into the Netherlands from the United Kingdom. Please find that instruction (in Dutch) here. These instructions will be valid as from January 1st 2021. They are a workaround, as the Customs Authority is working on updating their systems to accommodate the new rules and procedures as outlined in the free trade agreement. The Customs Authority will publish an update on this process, once the update of their systems is done.
Customs Support - Empowering Global Trade
If you have any questions, please contact one of your specialists. They are happy to answer your questions and make sure you can import or export your products without worries.
