If you were wondering how possible it can be to relocate your furniture and cars to the UK, on a scale of 1 to 10, I’ll say “11” That’s Plus the hard work in it.
All you have to do is hire a shipping company, pay fees, submit papers, and watch them fight your battles.
However, it depends on where in the part of the world you’re located, “are you in the UK or Nigeria?”
First Thing First: Relocating Options Available.
When it comes to moving your belongings abroad, you have two primary options: air freight and sea freight.
Air freight offers quick transportation but comes at a higher cost, making it ideal for last-minute moves.
On the other hand, sea freight is a more affordable choice, where your belongings are placed inside shipping containers and transported by container ships.
Without a doubt, shipping your car and furniture to the UK should be done via sea freight, the cheapest, and most recommended.
When opting for sea freight, it’s important to determine the type of con needed.
Sea freight charges are based on volume rather than weight, and there are three main options to consider: a full container load (FCL) of 20-foot or 40-foot, suitable for larger homes, and a less than container load (LCL) for smaller households or partial shipments BLCL shipping is slightly cheaper but may take longer due to waiting for other shipments to fill the container.
The duration of shipping is between 18-24 days from Nigeria and 17-62 days from the United States.
These estimates only account for the time spent traveling from port to port. Once your items arrive at the port, it usually takes no more than a day to transport them to your new home, considering the UK’s extensive coastline.
Brexit Effect on Shipping into the UK
Brexit, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, has had a significant impact on various aspects of trade and commerce:
Understanding Personal Allowances and Declarations
● Personal Allowances: Your allowances determine the amount of goods you can bring into the UK without having to pay tax or duty. These allowances are applicable when the goods are for personal use or intended as gifts.
● Commercial Goods: It’s important to note that personal allowances do not apply to goods brought in for sale or business use.
Brexit’s Impact on Importing Cars
● Tariffs and Customs Duties: Following Brexit, the UK introduced new tariffs and customs duties on imported cars. These fees are now applicable to vehicles brought into the country, and the rates vary depending on factors such as the car’s value and country of origin.
● Vehicle Registration: Importing a car to the UK now involves additional steps, including registering the vehicle with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).This process ensures compliance with UK road regulations and taxation requirements.
Brexit’s Impact on Importing Furniture
● Customs Declarations: Importing furniture from abroad now requires a customs declaration. You must inform UK customs about the furniture you’re bringing in, especially if the value exceeds your allowances.
● VAT and Import Taxes: Furniture imports from EU countries are now subject to Value Added Tax (VAT) and potential import taxes. These additional costs may affect the overall price of imported furniture.
Declaring Goods and Paying Tax
It’s essential to declare all goods accurately and honestly when entering the UK. Failure to do so may result in penalties, fines, or even seizure of the goods.
To streamline the process, you can declare your goods online up to 5 days before you arrive in the UK.
This online declaration enables customs authorities to process your information efficiently.
Get more details from the gove.uk official website.
Step-by-Step Method How to Relocate Your Car and Furniture from Nigeria to the UK
Now that you’ve been cleared of the basics, let’s take it one step at a time. First, will be relocating your car and furniture to the UK if you’re in Nigeria— pretty easy, pay up a shipping company to handle it for you for both your car and furniture.
The next is relocating your cars and furniture to the UK as a resident of the UK. This is where you should tail on me for clarity. Let’s begin.
Relocating Your Car/Furniture as UK Residence
Here, you also pay an importer or shipping company. While you do the following:
Tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) About the Vehicle’s Arrival
As soon as you bring your vehicle into the UK permanently, it’s essential to notify HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) within 14 days.
This step ensures that you comply with the legal requirements and allows HMRC to process any necessary paperwork associated with the import.
You can either handle this task yourself or enlist the services of an importer or shipping company to assist you.
Upon notification, HMRC may instruct you to pay VAT (Value Added Tax) and duty on the imported vehicle.
VAT is a consumption tax, and the rate may vary depending on the type and value of the car.
Paying these fees is crucial to meet the financial obligations and completing the import process smoothly.
To ensure that your vehicle meets the safety and environmental standards in the UK, it’s necessary to obtain vehicle approval.
This step involves getting your car inspected and certified by authorized agencies or testing centers.
Compliance with these standards not only guarantees the safety of your vehicle but also contributes to a cleaner and greener environment.
Registering and Taxing the Vehicle with DVLA
After obtaining vehicle approval, it’s time to register and tax your imported vehicle with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
The DVLA will issue a registration number, enabling you to acquire number plates for your car.
Registering your vehicle is essential for legal ownership and enables you to enjoy the benefits and services provided by the DVLA.
Before hitting the UK roads, it is mandatory to have valid insurance coverage for your vehicle.
Adequate insurance safeguards you against any unforeseen circumstances and offers financial protection in case of accidents or damages.
Shop around for insurance providers to find the best coverage that suits your needs and budget.
Importing a Damaged, Rebuilt, or Modified Vehicle
If your vehicle has undergone any significant changes such as damage repair, rebuild, or modifications, it’s crucial to check if it can be registered in the UK before importing it.
Certain modifications or extensive damages may impact the vehicle’s eligibility for registration, so it’s essential to clarify these aspects beforehand.
Documents Requirements to Relocate Your Cars and Furniture to the UK
There are documents you must present to your shipping company(recommended) to help you with paper works. Here’s a list:
Make sure your passport is up to date and that you have the right visa to enter and stay in the UK—that’s if you’re outside the UK.
Check with the British embassy or consulate in your country for specific requirements.
Residence Permit: If you plan to live in the UK for a long time, you may need to apply for a residence permit.
This is like a special card that allows you to stay in the country. Check the UK government’s website or ask the British embassy for more information.
If you want to bring your car to the UK, you need to have these things:
● Vehicle Registration Documents: These papers show that you own the car.
● Insurance: You need to show proof that your car is insured. This means you have a special document from an insurance company that says they will pay if something bad happens to your car.
● Vehicle Inspection: Some countries require a check to make sure your car is in good condition before you can take it out of the country.
● Import Permit: In some cases, you need a special document from the UK to bring your car there. You can ask the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for more details.
● Customs Documents: You may have to fill out some papers when you bring your car into the UK. These papers ask for information about your car, how much it’s worth, and if you want to keep it in the UK.
● List of Furniture and Belongings:Make a list of all the furniture and things you want to bring with you. This helps you when you go through customs, and it’s important for insurance too.
● Customs Forms: Depending on what you’re bringing and how much it’s worth, you might need to fill out some forms. These forms say what’s in your shipment and how much it’s worth.
● Proof of Ownership or Purchase: You need to show that you own the furniture and things you’re bringing. You can do this with receipts or other papers that show you bought them.
● Shipping Documents: If you’re using a shipping company to move your things, they will give you some special papers. These papers show that they’re taking your things and bringing them to the UK.
Shipping Companies Operational from Nigeria to the UK
PS: It is professionally recommended that you hire shipping companies for the smooth relocation of your cargo and take over complex paperwork.
Here are 10 shipping companies that offer services from Nigeria to the United Kingdom:
Maersk Line: Maersk is a global shipping company that offers container shipping services from Nigeria to the UK. They have a wide network and provide reliable transportation options.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC): MSC is another major shipping company that operates worldwide. They offer shipping services from Nigeria to the UK, including container shipping and freight forwarding.
CMA CGM: CMA CGM is a leading shipping company that provides services to various destinations, including the UK. They offer container shipping options and have a strong presence in Nigeria.
Hapag-Lloyd: Hapag-Lloyd is a German-based shipping company that serves international trade routes. They offer shipping services from Nigeria to the UK, ensuring efficient and secure transportation.
Grimaldi Group: Grimaldi Group specializes in shipping services for roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo. They provide transportation solutions from Nigeria to the UK, including vehicles, machinery, and other types of cargo.
PIL (Pacific International Lines): PIL is a Singapore-based shipping company that offers container shipping services globally. They have regular services from Nigeria to the UK, catering to various cargo types.
Bollore Transport & Logistics: Bollore is a global logistics company that provides shipping services from Nigeria to the UK. They offer a range of solutions, including container shipping, project cargo, and customs clearance.
Safmarine: Safmarine is a subsidiary of Maersk Line and specializes in container shipping. They have services from Nigeria to the UK, ensuring reliable and timely delivery.
MSC Nigeria: MSC Nigeria is a local branch of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). They offer shipping services from Nigeria to the UK, connecting businesses and individuals across the two countries.
What is the impact of Brexit on shipping into the UK?
Brexit has had a significant impact on trade and commerce, including the introduction of new tariffs and customs duties on imported cars and furniture.
What are personal allowances in the UK?
Personal allowances determine the amount of goods you can bring into the UK without paying tax or duty, but these allowances do not apply to goods
Relocating furniture and cars from Nigeria to the UK is possible through sea freight, which is the recommended and more affordable option. However, your choice of height is based on the cargo to be shipped.
However, it is important to consider the impact of Brexit, including new tariffs and customs duties. Due to the law of Personal allowances, you can relocate your furniture or car to the UK for business.
Make sure you make proper declarations and on time(5 days before your car’s arrival) that you’re in the UK—for importing cars and furnitureifying HMRC, paying VAT and duty, obtaining vehiclproval, and registering andcar’sxing the vehicle.