TELEPHONE: Country code (0044) + Area code.

STANDARD TIME: GMT.

WEIGHTS & MEASURES: Imperial and metric systems.

 ELECTRICITY: 230v, 50Hz, single phase Square three pin plugs.

INOCULATIONS/VACCINATIONS: No special requirements.

 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: Jan 1, Jan 2 (in Scot), Mar 19 St Patricks Day (in NI), Good Friday, Easter Monday, First and last Mon in May, Battle of the Boyne 12 Jul (in NI), last Mon in Aug,
Dec 25/26 lieu days when they fall on a weekend.

OFFICE HOURS: 09.00-17.00 Mon-Fri.

BANK HOURS: 09.30-16.30 Mon-Fri, larger branches Sat morning.

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS: 112 or 999 – Fire / Police / Ambulance.

TOURIST & TRAVEL INFORMATION: Visit Britain

20 Great Smith Street London SW1P 3BT Tel: 0208 846 900

Introduction

Square One Relocations is delighted to assist you with your move to the United Kingdom.

Our Relocation Guide is here to assist you with Part 1 covering background information on the UK, and Part 2 providing detailed information in connection with Import Customs Regulations.

We trust that you find the information valuable in preparing for your move.

Part 1 – Background Information on the UK
General Information of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Background

The United Kingdom has historically played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth’s surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK’s strength seriously depleted in two world wars and the
Irish Republic’s withdrawal from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO and the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach

to foreign policy. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999. The latter was suspended until May 2007 due to wrangling over the peace process, but devolution was fully completed in March 2010. The UK was an active member of the EU from 1973 to 2016, although it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union. However, frustrated by a remote bureaucracy in Brussels and massive migration into the country, UK citizens on 23 June 2016 narrowly voted to leave the EU. The so-called “Brexit” will take years to carry out but could be the signal for referenda in other EU countries where scepticism of EU membership benefits is strong.

Independence

England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century, the union between England and Wales begun in 1284 with the Statute of Rhodian, was not formalized until 1536 with an act of Union, in another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland agreed to permanently join as Great Britain. The legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland, six northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was adopted in 1927.

Geography

A country in northwest Europe, the United Kingdom occupies the island of Great Britain part of Ireland and many small adjacent islands. Great Britain comprises of the countries England, Scotland and Wales. England’s landscape is flat or rolling with some uplands, notably the Cheviot Hills on the Scottish border, the Pennines in the centre-north and the hills of the Lake District in the northwest. Scotland consists of southern uplands, central lowlands, highlands (the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis) and islands. Wales is a land of mountains and river valleys. Northern Ireland contains uplands, plains and the UK’s largest lake Lough Neagh. The UK has few mineral deposits but has important energy resources. Over forty per cent of land is suitable for grazing, about twenty-five per cent is cultivated and ten per cent is forested. Agriculture involves mainly sheep and cattle raising and dairy farming, with crop and fruit growing in the east and southeast. Productivity is high but about one third of food is imported. The UK produces petroleum and natural gas from reserves in the North Sea and is self-sufficient in energy in net terms. It also has reserves of coal though the coal industry has contracted. Major manufacturers are food and drinks, motor vehicles and parts, aerospace equipment, chemicals and chemical products. However, the economy is dominated by services industries, including banking, insurance, finance and business services. London is one of the world’s major financial centres. Tourism is a major industry, with around 25 million visitors a year. International trade is also important, equivalent to a third of national income, over half of trade is with other EU countries. The UK lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes, only 35km from France and now is linked by tunnel under the English Channel. Because of heavily indented coastline no location is more than 125km from tidal waters.

Climate

Owing to its being an island, the UK is subject to very changeable weather. Extremes of temperature are rare but snow, hail, heavy rain and heat waves can occur.

Population

The estimated population for the United Kingdom is 65.64 million. England covers over half the land area and supports four-fifths of the population, chiefly in the southeast region.

International Disputes

Since Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum in 2003 against a “total shared sovereignty” arrangement, talks between the UK and Spain over the fate of the 300-year-old UK colony have stalled. Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy. Mauritius and the Seychelles claim the Chaos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory) and its former inhabitants since their eviction in 1965. Most reside chiefly in Mauritius and in 2001 were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation. UK continues to reject sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark and Iceland remains dormant. Territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim. Disputes with Iceland, Denmark and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200nm.

Economy

The UK, a leading trading power and financial centre, is the third largest economy in Europe after Germany and France. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labour force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining; the UK has been a net importer of energy since 2005. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, are key drivers of British GDP growth. Manufacturing, meanwhile, has declined in importance but still accounts for about 10% of economic output. In 2008, the global financial crisis hit the economy particularly hard, due to the importance of its financial sector. Falling home prices, high consumer debt, and the global economic slowdown compounded Britain’s economic problems, pushing the economy into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompting the then BROWN (Labour) government to implement several measures to stimulate the economy and stabilise the financial markets. Facing burgeoning public deficits and debt levels, in 2010 the then CAMERON-led coalition government (between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats) initiated an austerity program, which has continued under the new Conservative majority government. However, the deficit remains one of the highest in the G7, standing at 4.1% of GDP as of mid-2016, and Britain has pledged to lower its corporation tax from 20% to 17% by 2020. Britain had a debt burden of 92.2% GDP at the end of 2016.

While the UK is one of the fastest growing economies in the G7, economists are concerned about the potential negative impact of the UK’s vote to leave the EU. The UK has an extensive trade relationship with other EU members through its single market membership and economic observers have warned the exit will jeopardise its position as the central location for European financial services.

Currency

British currency normally referred to as Sterling, is comprised of two main monetary units: the penny and the pound (one hundred pennies equal one pound).

• Coins in circulation at present 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2
  • Notes in Circulation £5, £10, £20, £50
  You will find that most retail outlets / restaurants etc. will accept the major credit cards & debit cards

Education

Full-time education is compulsory for children between ages 5 to 18. This applies to all nationalities who reside in the UK for twelve (12) months or longer. The English academic year begins September and continues into the end of the summer term dependant on institution; the academic year is divided into terms each separated by vacations / holidays which vary in length according to each school.

Language

English. Welsh is spoken in some parts of Wales, Gaelic in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and French and Norman French in the Channel Islands. The many ethnic minorities within the UK also speak their own languages.

Religion

We have a vast multinational culture and all religions are represented.

Healthcare

The National Health Service provides free medical treatment (at hospitals and general surgeries) to all who are ordinarily resident in the UK but requires payment for dental treatment, prescriptions and spectacles. Immediate first aid / emergency treatment is free for all visitors, after which charges are made unless the visitor’s country has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. The agreements provide differing degrees of exemption for different nationalities. Full details of individual agreements are available from the Department of Health.

Although every care is taken to ensure that all information in the Relocation Guide is accurate and up to date our company cannot accept liability for any inaccuracy.

Part 2 – UK Import Customs Regulations

The following documentation is required to import household and personal effects into the United Kingdom.

Please note that while the United Kingdom is part of the European Union (EU) no official documents are required to import personal effects and household goods if originating from another EU country.

Import of Personal Effects and Household Goods into the UK

To bring items into the UK you will need to obtain and complete a Transfer of Residence (ToR) form

The Transfer of Residence (ToR) process generates an URN Code needed for Customs Clearance of your goods.

• The Transfer of Residence is achieved using the online ToR form before goods are shipped, it is currently taking 3-4 weeks for Customs to Issue a URN code which you will need to forward to Atlantic for Customs clearance when the goods arrive at port.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-transfer-of-residence-tor-relief-tor01

• After completing the form, print and send with the documents list edit the end of the form to the posta lor e-mail address listed below: HM Revenue and Customs National Clearance Hub, Ralli Quays 3, Stanley Street, SALFORD, M60 9LA. Email: nch.tor@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

The following documentation is also needed to be sent to Atlantic please:

• Descriptive inventory of the goods including contents of cartons.
  • Passport copy (photo page), and Visa if your Passport is other than a UK Passport.
  • Copy of Bill of Lading usually supplied by origin removal company if you have arranged your own shipping.
• Details of your URN Code.

Duty free entry in the following circumstances:

• The importer must have had their normal home outside the EU for at least 12 months and must be transferring their normal home to the UK to take up permanent residence. You cannot import effects duty and tax free if either of the properties are a secondary home.
• Thegoodsmusthavebeenownedandusedbytheimporterforatleast6monthsandtaxesmusthavebeenpaid on them.

The owner may send belongings no more than six months before they move or return to the UK. (unless occupational commitments have forced them to leave their normal home outside the EU before being able to move to the UK as intended – in which case an appropriate extension will be allowed). Security for duty and tax may be requested. Security will be discharged when the customer arrives and can prove he qualifies for the relief. Shipments must arrive within 12 months of the importer arriving in the UK to reside; shipments arriving outside the 12-month period may be subject to taxes and duties. Shipments can arrive before the importer and can still clear customs provide the necessary online registration has been completed and approved. If approval isn’t received, shipments can be removed under bond to Square One Relocations H.M Customs Approved Depository, for storage until the owner can provide the correct Customs documents, please note this will incur additional charges.

Diplomat Removals

Documents required:

• Application form C426 to be completed by Embassy / High Commission, the original document to be forwarded to the clearing agent to be lodged with Customs.

Duty free entry:

• It is necessary to know the marks and numbers of the packages in which the goods are travelling, the ship’s name, date and port of arrival.

For Diplomatic moves, the importation of wines, beers, spirits, hand rolled tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, perfumes, and motor vehicles are subject to approval from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Students

Documents required:

• Same documentation as normal removal effects, but in addition a Letter from the University or College certifying the importer is a student giving residential period of educational course.

Wedding Trousseaux

Documents required:

• Same documentation as normal removal effects, but in addition a copy of the marriage certificate.

Wedding trousseaux and similar articles, wedding gifts may be imported duty / VAT free where it can be shown that:

• The newly wed individual must have had his/her normal home outside the UK for at least 12 months and be transferring his/her home to the UK.
• The goods must be tax paid at country of origin.
• The goods must arrive in the UK no later than four months after marriage and must be retained for personal use for at least one year. No gift must exceed £800 in value per donor.

No allowance for alcoholic drinks, or tobacco is given.

Inheritance

Documents required:

• OnLineRegistrationForm1421.
• Certified copy of the Will of the deceased or a certified relevant extract there from or copy of Probate from the Court if the deceased died intestate. A translation is necessary if document is not in English.
• Inventory (if the copy Will or other document does not specifically detail the goods to be imported) with supporting declaration from the Lawyer confirming that the goods to be imported are the legatee’s rightful share of the estate.

• Declaration from the legatee confirming that he is a permanent resident in the UK and a beneficiary under the Will of the deceased.

Duty free entry if the legatee is permanently domiciled in the UK and they will not use the goods for trade or business purposes.

New furniture, household items, presents and souvenirs

New furniture and household furniture are liable to payment of customs duty and VAT, if they have not been in the owner’s previous use and possession for more than the periods given in “Removal Goods”. These articles where included in a household removal are liable to payment of duty and VAT and must be separately declared on the import declaration.

Works of Art, Antiques, if not part of the normal removal goods

Documents required:

• Letter of antiquity issued by specialist antiques/art dealer certifying articles are over 100 year sold.
• VAT905RelieffromVAT.

Duty free entry if:

• Works of art are forming a part of a bona fide household removal, or articles are over 100 year sold.
• Are not for sale or another disposal.

Antiques and works of art imported into the UK for resale are treated as a commercial import, and such goods would be subject to Duty / VAT according to the circumstances.

Motor cars, motorcycles and mopeds, power driven boats with or without engines and sailing boats

Documents required:

• Online registration as per removal goods.
• Documentshowingthatthevehicle/vesselhasbeenintheowner’suseandpossessionabroadfortheperiod described in “Removal Goods” and must provide proof of ownership and use by original purchase invoice, insurance certificate etc, Garage maintenance invoices etc.

Duty free entry if, the vehicles/vessels will not be sold or otherwise disposed for 1 year after the date of importation. Customs may require evidence that the owner of the vehicle / boat has lived abroad for 12 months or longer e.g. copy of passport with date stamp showing arrival in overseas country or copy of lease / rental agreement on overseas residence. A British Driving License is required if staying in the UK for more than 12 months. A certificate of conformity from the manufacturer of the vehicle should be obtained if the vehicle is less than three years old. Without the C of C, the car will have to be tested (like MOT) at a Government approved centre to make sure it meets with UK regulations.

Caravans and Trailers

Please contact Atlantic for information.

Shipping Food Stuffs

Shipping foodstuffs can mean that the Port Health Authorities may stop and unload the container at port to inspect the goods. This will increase costs to the customers and increase the risk of damage to effects.

We strongly advise you to not ship food items.

Dangerous goods, firearms, ammunition and firearm parts

Documents required:

• Valid firearm certificates issued to the owner by the police authorities controlling the area in which they intend to reside.

Firearm certificates must be presented at the Port of Entry when the shipment arrives. Inclusion of a firearm or ammunition usually results in Customs examination at Port of Entry, and considerable additional costs.

The importation of firearms and ammunition is NOT RECOMMENDED. Realistic Imitation Firearms

Importation is prohibited of realistic imitation firearms which are defined as “having an appearance that is so realistic as to make it indistinguishable, for all practical purposes from a real firearm” but is not a real firearm, a deactivated firearm or an antique.

Certain types of imitations are excluded from the provisions:

• Those imitating weapons of early manufacture, viz before1810.
• Those below certain specified dimensions.
• Those manufactured in transparent material.
• Those manufactured in certain specified bright colours.

All imitation items as below should be declared, and we recommend photographs are taken and a complete description is available.

• Firearms/pistol/revolvers/rifles/shotguns/guns.
• Air gun / pistol / rifle.
• Toy gun/toys.
• Airsoft/Air soft equipment.
• Paintball guns / equipment.
• Historical/Battle/War/Cowboy/TacticalorSkirmishing–re-enactmentorgamesequipment.

Importation Prohibited or Restricted

The following are items that are prohibited or restricted from import into the UK:

• Explosives.
• Fireworks.
• Flick Knives.
• Pornographic books and magazines.
• Narcotics, drugs and incitements.
• Certain feathers, furs, skins, tusks etc. of animals coming under the Protected Species Regulations will need to have an accompanying CITES Certification obtaining prior to shipping in origin Country. Please note some pianos, manufactured prior to 1972 may have ivory keys. Victorian and earlier pianos, plus pianos manufactured during the first half of the 20th Century will most probably have ivory keys. Seehttps://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/endangered-species-application-for-import-and-export-permit
• Alcohol(all alcohol imported from non-EU Countries attract tax and duty)

Plants and vegetable products

We strongly recommend you do not ship with your household and personal effects. A Phytosanitary Certificate would be required, and the container will be inspected, resulting in delays and additional charges.

Wood Packaging Regulations

The European member states have adopted the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM). This regulation requires all wood packing materials to be treated for the transport of goods to the EU from other countries.

Pets, Dogs, Cats and Birds

Please contact https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad