🇬🇧 United Kingdom → 🇪🇺 EU (Germany)

UK Export Certifications

No general export certification. Strategic goods: UK Strategic Export Control Lists (Wassenaar-aligned). License from Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU).

Required Export Documents (UK)

Export declaration (CDS), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, B/L, Certificate of Origin, Export License (strategic goods).

Export via CDS

Electronic declaration through CDS. Export control screening. Zero-rated for VAT.

Export via CDS

Electronic declaration through CDS. Export control screening. Zero-rated for VAT.

Shipping Timeline from EU

EU → China: Ocean 25-35 days, $2,500-4,500/FEU. EU → US: Ocean 10-14 days, $2,000-3,500/FEU. EU → Japan: Ocean 25-35 days, $2,500-4,000/FEU.

Shipping Timeline to EU

From China: Ocean (Shanghai→Rotterdam) 25-35 days via Suez, $2,500-4,500/FEU. Air 2-3 days, $4-7/kg. From US: Ocean (NY→Rotterdam) 10-14 days, $2,000-3,500/FEU. Air 1-2 days, $3-6/kg. From Japan: Ocean (Tokyo→Hamburg) 25-35 days via Suez, $2,500-4,000/FEU. From Korea: Ocean 25-32 days, $2,200-3,800/FEU. Customs clearance: 1-3 days typical.

Shipping Timeline from UK

UK → China: 25-35 days. UK → US: 10-20 days. UK → EU: 2-5 days. UK → Japan: 25-35 days.

Shipping Timeline to UK

From China: 25-35 days ocean. From US: 10-20 days. From Japan: 25-35 days. From EU: 2-5 days (but full customs post-Brexit). Clearance: 1-3 days.

Single Administrative Document (SAD)

Standard EU customs declaration form. Filed electronically. Contains: importer details, goods description, HS/CN code, origin, customs value, duty calculation.

Commercial Invoice

Must include: seller/buyer, description, quantity, value, Incoterms, origin country.

Packing List

Detailed contents per package: weights, dimensions, marks.

Bill of Lading / Air Waybill

Transport document for cargo release.

Certificate of Origin / EUR.1

Required for preferential tariff rates under FTAs/EPAs. EUR.1 movement certificate or origin self-declaration. For EU-Japan EPA: origin declaration on invoice by approved exporter.

CE Declaration of Conformity

Manufacturer's/importer's declaration that product meets applicable EU directives. Must accompany the product and be available to customs authorities on request.

Pre-arrival Safety & Security (ICS2)

Since March 2024, all goods entering the EU must have Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) filed via ICS2 system before arrival. Air cargo: before loading. Ocean cargo: 24h before loading at port of departure.

Customs Declaration (SAD/Electronic)

Import declaration filed electronically via national customs system (e.g., ATLAS in Germany, DELTA in France). Single Administrative Document (SAD) or electronic equivalent. EU moving to fully electronic customs by 2028.

Customs Examination & Release

Risk-based inspection. Green channel (immediate release), Orange (document check), Red (physical inspection). AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certified importers get expedited processing. Typical clearance: 1-3 business days.

Pay Customs Duty + VAT

Pay customs duty (TARIC rate) + import VAT. VAT paid at import can be reclaimed as input tax by VAT-registered businesses. Germany: 19% VAT. France: 20%. Netherlands: 21%. Italy: 22%. Varies by member state.

EU TARIC Tariff — Electronics (HS 85)

Most electronics: 0% under WTO ITA. EU is ITA signatory. HS 8517, 8471, 8528 = Free. Non-ITA electronics may have 2-14% MFN rates. Check TARIC database for exact rates. EU-Japan EPA: additional tariff elimination for Japanese goods (most electronics already Free). EU-Korea FTA: tariff elimination for Korean goods. No EU-China FTA: Chinese goods pay MFN rates (but most electronics = Free under ITA). No EU-US FTA: US goods pay MFN rates.

EU Import VAT

Import VAT applied on (customs value + duty + transport to EU border). Rate varies by member state: Germany 19%, France 20%, Netherlands 21%, Spain 21%, Italy 22%, Sweden 25%. VAT-registered businesses can reclaim import VAT as input tax credit. Reverse charge mechanism available in some countries for B2B imports.

CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism)

EU CBAM transitional phase since October 2023. Full implementation from January 2026. Applies to: iron/steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, electricity, hydrogen. Importers must purchase CBAM certificates reflecting the carbon price. Electronics (HS 85) NOT currently covered by CBAM. May expand in future.

EU-Japan EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement)

In effect since February 2019. EU's largest bilateral trade deal. Japan eliminated tariffs on ~97% of EU exports. EU eliminated tariffs on ~99% of Japanese imports. Electronics: already Free under ITA. Key benefits: food/agriculture (cheese, wine, pork from EU), auto parts, chemicals. Origin proof: self-declaration by approved/registered exporters.

CE Marking (Conformité Européenne)

MANDATORY for products sold in the EU/EEA. Not a quality mark — it's a legal declaration that the product complies with applicable EU directives. For electronics: LVD (Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU), EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, RED (Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU for wireless devices), RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. Manufacturer/importer is responsible. Some products require Notified Body involvement. Timeline: 4-12 weeks. Cost: $5,000-30,000 depending on product complexity.

RED (Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU)

Mandatory for ALL radio equipment (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, NFC, etc.) sold in EU. Covers: safety, EMC, and efficient use of radio spectrum. Most products can use self-declaration with harmonized standards, but some need Notified Body. Equipment must be registered in REDCA database before placing on EU market.

REACH & RoHS Compliance

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals): applies to all products containing chemicals. Importers must ensure substances are registered. SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) above 0.1% must be declared. RoHS: restricts hazardous substances in electronics (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.). EU RoHS aligns with but differs from China RoHS.

WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment)

Importers/producers must register with national WEEE authority in each EU member state where they sell. Finance collection and recycling of e-waste. Registration required BEFORE placing products on market.