Customs Agency in England and Great Britain: Remote Clearance, Cities and Ports

What does a customs agency do?

A customs agency represents the importer or exporter before HMRC and prepares the documents and declarations on their behalf. The main tasks are as follows:

Classifying goods: These agencies classify goods according to the Combined Nomenclature (CN) or the Harmonized System (HS) in order to determine the correct duties and taxes.

Preparing and submitting customs declarations: They are responsible for preparing and submitting the required customs declarations and other documents, such as commercial invoices, packing lists and bills of lading.

Paying duty and tax: They calculate and pay the required duties and taxes on behalf of their clients, ensuring timely compliance with regulations.

Regulatory compliance: They need to know the regulations governing specific products (e.g. food, electronics, hazardous materials) and ensure that imports/exports comply with all relevant rules.

Consulting services: They provide advice on customs matters such as duty relief schemes, trade agreements and tariff classifications, helping businesses minimise costs and streamline their supply chains.

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Customs agency across the UK — cities and ports we cover

A customs agency in the UK does not need an office in your city: customs declarations are filed electronically, and the rules are the same across England, Scotland and Wales. Easy Clearance is a customs agency registered in the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), with a UK EORI number, and we prepare GMRs for RoRo movements through GVMS ports together with the carrier (how GVMS works). That is why the location of your UK business does not limit our service.

England, Scotland and Wales together form Great Britain and follow the same import process, which gov.uk describes. We therefore handle Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cardiff on the same terms as Birmingham or London; only Northern Ireland has separate rules. Which ports require a GMR depends on the port and the carrier, and HMRC keeps the current list: list of GVMS ports. Below you will find practical notes for the cities we are asked about most.

Customs agency London and Greater London

We serve importers and exporters in London remotely: you send documents by email or WhatsApp and we file declarations in CDS. Goods for London arrive through Dover, Eurotunnel and the Thames ports, among others. For RoRo movements through Dover and Eurotunnel GVMS is always required, while Tilbury, Purfleet and Thamesport appear on the HMRC list for selected carriers. If you are returning from London to Poland with your belongings, we explain transfer of residence relief. Harwich has its own page.

Customs agency Brighton and Sussex

The nearest ferry port is Newhaven, where GVMS is always required for RoRo movements. For exports through Newhaven with DFDS, the export declaration must be submitted as pre-lodged before arrival at the port (HMRC). Online sellers in Brighton need a GB EORI number and a commodity code before their first import (gov.uk). Music, film or exhibition equipment taken out of the UK temporarily, for example to concerts or trade fairs, can be covered by an ATA Carnet.

Customs agency Southampton

The Port of Southampton, run by ABP, handles containers and vehicles among other cargo (ABP). Southampton is not on the GVMS ports list, so for containers the key is a correct CDS declaration: commodity code, value and proof of origin. A reduced or zero duty rate under a trade agreement requires meeting the rules of origin (gov.uk), so we collect origin evidence from the supplier before shipping.

Customs agency Plymouth and the South West

Plymouth is on the GVMS list in connection with Brittany Ferries: for exports the declaration must be pre-lodged before arrival at the port, and for imports the carrier may require GVMS. We serve businesses in Devon and Cornwall remotely, with no visit to the port. The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport operates in the region (gov.uk maps), so it is worth checking whether your warehouse or site lies within a Freeport customs site. Importing animals and animal products may require licences or certificates beyond the customs declaration (gov.uk).

Customs agency Bristol

The ports in the Bristol area, Avonmouth and Royal Portbury, do not appear on the GVMS list. We file declarations electronically, so clearance does not need us to be at the port. Regular importers may be offered a simplified procedure, which we agree case by case (gov.uk). For suppliers of aerospace and industrial parts, correct classification and complete commercial documents matter most.

Customs agency Cardiff and Wales

Wales is part of Great Britain, so importing to Cardiff, Newport or Swansea works the same way as in England. ABP's ports at Newport and Cardiff serve Welsh trade; Newport offers Ro-Ro, containers and steel, among other cargo (ABP Newport, ABP Cardiff). The Welsh ferry ports of Fishguard, Holyhead and Pembroke are among those where GVMS is always required for RoRo movements (HMRC). For steel, classification in tariff chapters 72 and 73 matters.

Customs agency Birmingham and the West Midlands

Birmingham is inland, without a seaport: goods enter Great Britain through a port or tunnel, and we file declarations electronically regardless of the consignee's address. Importing into England requires an EORI number starting with GB (gov.uk, how to get one). Polish trade-fair exhibitors can bring exhibits in on an ATA Carnet instead of filing a standard declaration. We also handle regular component deliveries for the region's industry.

Customs agency Coventry

For Coventry businesses, typical cases are parts and components from tariff chapters 84–87 and just-in-time deliveries. As the city is inland, a declaration prepared in advance helps avoid a lorry waiting at the port. A preferential rate under the UK–EU agreement requires meeting the rules of origin (gov.uk). For materials intended for further processing, check the special procedures for duty reduction.

Customs agency Wolverhampton and the Black Country

With Black Country businesses we typically see articles of iron and steel from chapter 73, tools and machine parts. The commodity code decides the duty rate and whether a licence is needed (gov.uk); we check measures on steel and metals in the UK Trade Tariff. Goods for Wolverhampton enter Great Britain through a port or tunnel, and clearance is electronic.

Customs agency Nottingham and the East Midlands

For Nottingham, the nearest seaports are on the Humber: Immingham and Hull (Immingham, Hull). The GVMS list includes Immingham (DFDS, Stena Line, A2B-online) and Hull (P&O). The East Midlands Freeport and the Humber Freeport operate in the region (gov.uk). Distributors of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics must allow for regulatory requirements beyond customs, which remain with the importer.

Customs agency Derby

For precision parts and just-in-time deliveries, typical of industry in and around Derby, correct classification and timely declarations matter. Some goods, such as dual-use items, may need an export licence (gov.uk). Regular importers can check whether Authorised Economic Operator status is right for them (gov.uk).

Customs agency Leicester

For clothing and textile importers in Leicester, tariff chapters 61–63 are key, where the commodity code and the origin of the goods matter. UK VAT-registered importers can account for import VAT on their VAT Return, known as postponed VAT accounting (gov.uk). Hull and Immingham are on the GVMS list for selected carriers. Food importers should also check whether their goods need licences or certificates (gov.uk).

Customs agency Sheffield

Sheffield businesses often ship iron and steel goods from chapters 72–73 and machine parts. Exports from the UK need an export declaration (gov.uk), which is filed in CDS. The nearest ports are on the Humber: Hull and Immingham, both on the GVMS list for selected carriers (HMRC). We prepare shipments to Poland with complete commercial documents and commodity codes.

Customs agency Leeds and Yorkshire

Leeds is a distribution base for Yorkshire; ferry ports lie on the Humber (Hull, Immingham) and at Teesport, which is on the GVMS list with P&O, CLdN and A2B-online. Common cases are furniture, textiles and online sellers' goods. A seller importing on their own account needs a GB EORI, a commodity code and the value of the goods (gov.uk).

Customs agency Manchester

In the Manchester region GVMS applies to Manchester Ship Canal (carrier Suardiaz), and the RoRo ports of nearby Liverpool and Birkenhead are also on the HMRC list. Air freight through Manchester Airport is declared in CDS just like sea freight. We remind importers of Polish food that some food products need licences or certificates beyond duty (gov.uk). T1 transit cases are agreed before shipping.

Customs agency Liverpool

The Port of Liverpool is among those where GVMS is always required for RoRo movements; for exports with Stena Line and CLdN, the declaration must be submitted as arrived before the journey starts (HMRC). GVMS is also always required at Heysham and Holyhead, and Birkenhead appears with Stena Line. The Liverpool City Region Freeport operates in the area (gov.uk). We explain GMRs in our guide.

Customs agency Newcastle and the North East

The Port of Tyne is on the GVMS list with DFDS, including as a location supporting Offices of Transit digitally. Teesport (P&O, CLdN, A2B-online) lies in the region, and the Teesside Freeport operates there (gov.uk). For regular component deliveries from the EU, efficient paperwork matters. We prepare T1 transit for goods from Poland via the Netherlands or Belgium in advance.

Customs agency Glasgow and Scotland

Scotland is part of Great Britain, so importing to Glasgow follows the same rules as importing to England. From 31 January 2025, goods imported from the EU into Great Britain, including Scotland, must be covered by a safety and security declaration (gov.uk). Among Scottish GVMS locations supporting Offices of Transit HMRC lists Cairnryan, Loch Ryan and Aberdeen, each for a specified carrier (list). Excise goods, such as alcohol, are subject to separate excise rules, which we check before shipping.

Customs agency Edinburgh and eastern Scotland

On the Firth of Forth, where Edinburgh lies, the Firth of Forth Green Freeport operates (gov.uk maps). Polish construction firms bringing in equipment for the duration of a contract can check whether it qualifies for Temporary Admission, described by gov.uk. Import rules are the same as in England because Scotland is part of Great Britain.

Do not see your city? The rules are the same across Great Britain, and we discuss other locations case by case. See customs clearance from the UK, and read about costs in how much UK customs clearance costs.

How to start working with a customs agency in the UK

You need a GB EORI number, an invoice, a packing list, a transport document and a commodity code. On that basis we agree whether the declaration is lodged on entry or under a simplified procedure, and who is responsible for the ENS and GMR on your route. Contact us with your route, type of goods and planned shipping date; for guidance on costs, see how much UK customs clearance costs.

Frequently asked questions