Euro

The common currency used in 19 of the 27 member states of the European union: currently Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain. In addition, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City, which are not EU member states, also have formal agreements with […]

The name of a type of movement certificate (a form of certificate of origin) which can be issued within the EU to prove that goods are of EU origin, and therefore qualify for a preferential rate of duty when imported (see ’Preferential Trade’ below). The form must be stamped by a Chamber of Commerce or

The Export Control System (ECS) is the EU system for the control of indirect exports.

A form of trade agreement between two or more countries. A customs union means they decide not to impose tariffs (taxes on imports) on each other’s goods and agree to impose common external tariffs on goods from countries outside their customs union. Setting common external tariffs is what distinguishes a customs union from a free

Customs valuation is the determination of the economic value of goods declared for importation. Together with origin and classification, the customs value provides the basis for assessment of the customs debt, which is often calculated as a percentage of the customs value. For further information, please refer to GOV.UK.

Customs warehouses are operated by warehouse keepers, who must be authorised by HMRC. Customs warehousing allows goods to be held duty and VAT free until they are released to free circulation. See also Bonded Warehouse. For further information, please refer to the Special Procedures Guide.

An overseas sales partner that buys products, usually in bulk volumes, for resale to individual clients. A distributor will typically generate revenue by negotiating special price rates from the principal and adding their own mark—up to the resale price. A distributor should normally support the principal’s marketing strategy by providing local promotional and sales activities,

Diversion entries are completed to remove goods from special procedures into free circulation and pay any customs duties, import VAT, and/or excise that is due. They are also used to move goods from one regime to another.

Goods which have a valid commercial or civilian function, but which could also be used for strategic, or military purposes. They are therefore subject to export controls (see below). Examples of dual—use goods include advanced materials, chemicals or metals, high technology machine tools and instruments, software and other technology. For further information, please refer to

A customs intermediary acting in the name of, and on behalf of, another business. If an agent acts as a direct representative of the principal, the principal is solely liable for the customs debt. But, if the principal gives clear instructions and the agent makes a deliberate or unreasonable error, the agent may become jointly