Cargo Flow Agency
Cargo Flow Agency Accelerated Achieved
Specialist Customs Clearance Services
Who Are Cargo Flow Agency?
Cargo Flow Agency is a modern business, designed to meet the trading and customs needs of the independent United Kingdom. from the 1st January 2021.
Our Offices in Newhaven Harbour, East Sussex are conveniently located within the Newhaven ferry port and are supported by highly experienced international transport and customs specialists.
Why Choose Cargo Flow Agency?
CFA is the only customs agent with a base in Newhaven ferry port.
Modern communication doesn’t prevent an agent in a different location from clearing your cargo, but think how much more convenient it can be when drivers and clearance staff are able to resolve any issues which may arise.
Since the beginning of 2021, our already experienced staff have continually taken on board new approaches to the task of customs clearance, developed a closer relationship with our local Border Force teams. We have also added new faces, who now help us to take on more and more new business.
Customs Clearance Explained?
Customs Clearance is a process compulsory for all goods entering or leaving the EU. Customs clearance allows HM Customs & Excise to account for any due charges, ensure correct documentation has been used and conformity to Uk and EU law. It also allows Customs to monitor which goods are coming into or leaving the UK.
Ensure that the shipper is a registered EORI trader before attempting to export cargo.
Identify the Commodity Codes of all products to be shipped.
Ensure that the cargo is packed in accordance with the requirements of the
destination country. For example, the use of ISPM15 standard-compliant timber for pallets.
As a result of the UK-EU Trade agreement, it is not compulsory to use ISPM15 pallets in trade between the two territories. Nonetheless, if the cargo is transiting with a final destination in a third country, heat treated pallets may still be an obligation of the end destination.
Produce a customs invoice, this will include details of the shipper, purchaser, cargo type and quantity, commodity code, value, selling terms. The invoice must also feature any declarations, for example, confirmation of origin, which are a requirement of the destination country.
In advance of the loading, provide the invoice to the appointed CDS connected clearing agent. They will prepare the export declaration, based on the data which has been supplied to them. Notify the appointed transporter of the agent’s contact information.
The clearing agent will provide a copy of the CDS declaration. This is a vital document; it will act as your proof of export in your dealings with HMRC
Ensure that the importer is a registered EORI trader, without registration, importation cannot commence. Imports in the name of private individuals do not however require an EORI registration.
If the selling terms, agreed with the supplier, require it, appoint a clearing agent to handle either specific transport routes or for all routes. The appointment will be confirmed through a formal appointment document, authorising an agent to represent the importer. Charges and terms will also be a part of the agency agreement.
If non-VAT registered, be prepared to pay the VAT immediately upon importation.
If VAT registered, the value of the transaction will usually be accounted for in your regular return to HMRC.
The clearing agent will receive the overseas export entry, usually electronically. This will be used, in association with the invoice, to prepare an import clearance entry.
If import duty is payable, the agent will notify the importer of the amount payable. This will be paid to HMRC by the importer, either as a single payment or through a Customs Deferment Account.
The clearing agent will supply you with a copy of the declaration, this is used for your verification of accuracy. It is, therefore, an important document.
Importers and exporters must remain aware that their appointed agent is acting on their behalves. Therefore, the accuracy of the data which the agent enters will depend on that which is provided to the agent. The legal responsibility for accurate submission will rest with the trader, not with the agent unless that agent is themselves responsible for wrongly entering otherwise accurate data.
Export clearances are handled by CDS.
Foreign customs agencies use similar digital platforms, for the purposes of reporting, calculation and statistical analysis.
Traders are not bound to use an agent. There is nothing to prevent a company from investing in the systems and expertise needed, enabling them to make their own declaration.
The person responsible for the entry will collate the data supplied by either the export trader through their invoice or in the case of an import the overseas export declaration and the relevant supplier’s documentation, in conjunction with any additional data required from the importer. This information will then be translated into an electronic file, which is lodged with HMRC
These duty amounts will usually become payable at the time of declaration. This can be done either via a CDS cash account deposit, or by bank transfer for each import transaction. The latter method is inadvisable since the payment reference cannot be generated until the goods have arrived into the UK, delays in the movement of the vehicle through the port of arrival will inevitably result. A Duty Deferment
account will delay the duty payment, with the accumulated amounts of duty being paid on a monthly basis. A trader can apply for a Deferment Account, which will be subject to some fairly strict criteria
