MetEx House, 496a Great West Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW5 0TE  ·  Shipping since 1998
0800 096 38 39
Moving abroad

What if customs inspect my shipment?

It’s routine — and good paperwork keeps it simple.

Customs can inspect any shipment — it’s a normal part of international freight, not a sign anything is wrong. What makes it painless is an accurate, honest valued inventory and correct documentation, which is exactly what we prepare with you before your shipment travels.

If your shipment is selected, customs check that the contents match the declaration and that duty and relief have been applied correctly. Used personal effects, honestly listed, are what they expect to see. Import clearance happens in the destination country and is the importer’s responsibility, but a clean inventory means there’s rarely anything to query.

The two things that cause delays are under-declared values and prohibited items slipping in — so declare honestly and check the restricted list for your destination before you pack.

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More on this
Will inspection delay my shipment? +
It can add a little time, but an accurate inventory usually keeps any check brief.
Do I need to be there? +
No — but the importer of record may need to respond to any query; we’ll guide you.
Related

Valued inventory explained  ·  Will I pay duty?  ·  What documents do I need?